The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1868-03-13

Proceedings up to This Timc.
rHE COURT oReANIznp

Il
| On Friday, the 9Th, Chief Justice CHAs,
I appeared in the Senate, and toek the oath as
presiding Judge of the high court of impeach-
ment. All the Senators were then sworn.
as in the case of jurymen. Objection was
made to Senator WADEs serving but the
objection was overruled aud he took the
oath
After all the Senators had been sworn IN
the Chief Justice arose and stated that the
Senate was organized as r Court for the
purpose OF the trial of Andrew johnson.
The Sergeant-at-Arms then made proclama-
ton for all persons to keep silence while the
Court was in session. The Chief Justice
then arose and said the rules adopted were,
in his Judgment not rules 10 govern this
Court, they beiog framed when the Senate
was legislative body, and therefore he
wanted the voice Of the Court. The ques-
ton was then put by the Chief Jvstice, and
the Senate decided that theserules were pro-
per rules to govern them while acting as a
Court. On the motion of Mr. Howard, the
Secretary Of the Senate was ordered 20 noti-
~ the House and managers of the House,
that the Court was ready TO proceed with
the trial, aad would receive the managers of
the House
THE DAY sET FOR THE TRIAL,
AT fifteen minutes to three o'clock the
managers of the House appeared before the
bar of the Senate, and Mr.. Bingham. the
Chairman, demanded of the Court that it
take cognizance7 as 20 said articles. Mr..
Howard then moved that summons be is
sued to Andrew johnson to appear before
the bar of the Senate ON Friday, March I3,
at one o'clock, to answer to said charges.
This vas adopted by unanimous vote.
The Court then adjourned till Friday.
sUMxcNISG THE rREsIDEET.
The summons for the appearance of Mr..
johnson is to be served on him by the Ser
geant- at Arms of the Senate. 1t is signed
by the Chief Justice, and the Sergeant at
Arms is required to serve it four days before
it is made returnable. 1t is endorsed on the
back with a precept similar to writs and
summenshs used in ordinary courts. The
President viii respond in person, and then
wait the action of the Senate in reference to
his filing demurrer. when dismissal of
the complaint ard quashing OF the articles
will be demanded
The writ summouing the President 10 ap-
pear at the bar Of the Senate next Fridiy
was served by the Sergeant-at-A ArIos of the
Senate. Nothiug Of moment occurred at
the interview at the time of the service, Mr..
johnson stating formally that due attention
would be given to the summons.
.5l THE DEFENSE H
As a result of the confererce already had,
with view. TO preparing the defense, those
in the ring say that the Presidents lawyers
feel perfectly statistic, / with their case that
they intend TO shOS that The whole practice
for ali administrations has been 10 remove.
under the Constitution, and. that the Tenure
of Office bill is an act so palpably unconsti-
tutional as to Justify Mr.. johnson in disre-
gardiDg il, the same as if an act had been
passed saying that he should send no mes
sage to Congress, when the Constitution SAYS
he shall. To meet Buffers and Bingham 5
articles, however, they fiud no precedents
and these really give them considerable
trouble. It Is understood that the counsel
FOR the defense viii first challenge various
! Senators :; for. instance, Wade on the ground
of interest, and Summer, Chandler and 9TH
ers for having expressed an opinion. Next
! they viii contend that the Senate is a court,
and that the President has right to have a
( full court present, and that ten States, with
their twenty members of the court, arc ab-
sent. If the votes on these two points should
be strongly against them, and few now
doubt th9Y will, then their next step, it is
thought, viii be for long contipuanCe. It
is stated by some, in the Presidents coun-
sci, chat he may offer his resignation on the
| ground that such votes boded no good to
him, and that resignation would save him
| from political disabilities following impeach-
ment As TO the challenge of Senators, the
Board of Managers have looked into the
question closely and fnd' that all precedents
in England and this country are entirely
against any such rights. No factious delay
is expected on the part of Mr. Johnson 5
lawyers, ss some of them are men who could
not afford to be thus used.