The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1868-03-24
bingham Makes a Motion that the
TRIAL Proceed immediately.

WASHINGTON, March 13.--Atl o'clock,
the morning hour having expired, Chief
Justice Chase took the chair, and the Ser
geant-st-Arms made preclsnation in the
usual form.
The Secretary read the journal Of the
last meeting of the Court. A large num-
Der Of Representatives, headed by the
Managers Of impeachment, in the mean
while we're standing in 6le outside the
open door. ggs 7e Nel 81 ~
On motion of Mr.. Howard, an order
was made that the Sergeant alarms no.
tify the House that the Senate was or
ganized as q Court of Impeachment, and
ready to proceed withthe trial Of Andrew
johnson. aeH
The return Of the Sergesnt-at Arms Of
his service Of summons il the present
session was read, when, on motion Of Mr..
johnson, the counsel Of the President
were notified of the ccmmencement pro-
ccedings, and Messrs. Stanberry, Curtis
and Nelson took their seats ststhe table,
at the right Of the Chief Justice, and OPP
posite to the managers. who we're seated
on the left. .
Mr.. Butler, the remaining manager
came in, and shortly after another depu-
tstion of the House entered headed by
Speaker Washhurne, of Illinois, and No
Phersou, Clerk of the House, ranged
themselves behind the bar.
Mr.. Stanberry rose, and, addressing
the Chief Justice, read the answer Of the
President entering his appearance, and
naming as his counsel, Messrs. StAnberry,
Curtis, Nelson, Black, and Eysrts, and
asking . reasonable time for the prepare
tion Of his defense, the period Of forty
days, and citing various cases, in which
periods as 1eng in proportion to the mag
nitude of the case had been granted.
Mr.. Bingham, on behalf Of the mana
gers, rcontended for the eighth rule, which
provided that on the appearance Of the
President, he was required to file his an
swer, and in case his answer was not fled,
the trial should proceed as on a plea of
not guilty. He claimed, therefore, that
the trial should proceed forthwith.
REPLY OF THE PRESIDENTS COUNSEL.
Mr.. Curtis, in reply, referred to the
cases Of Judge Humphreys and others,
and argued that the rule was susceptible
of no such construction as that put on it
by Mr.. Bingham. non e -sa
Mr.. Nelson followed, enlarging on the
same views as his colleague, Mr.. Stan
berry and expressed greater surprise
than he had before felt atthis claim put
lforwardaby the managers, saying that it
seemed to be the disposition to hurry
through this momentous trial as if it were
"a case before police court. He argued,
from the wording Of the other rules, that
the appearance day was not intended TO
be the day for answering and trial day.
He said two Of the Presidents counsel
were not present; that 20 opportunity had
been offered for the preparation Of the
defense, or the calling Of witnesses, and
that, in the worst days of thesStar Cham
Der, such an attempt to hurry through a
trial had never been made.
ne speAe very warmly, saying there
seemed to have been trap set for the
President and his counsel, ass
AT the conclusion Of bis remarks ghiei
Justice Chase said the motion would be
argued for an hour in accordance with
the rules, VIXEN sr@4 50 sa-
Mr.. Bingham said be had been greatly
surprised at hearing the hasty word:
which had been dropped from the lips o.
ibis learned friend Staaberry. and asserted
| that the only .motiye,of the managers wal
to enforce the rules which the Senate bac
made, and prevent a dilatory line Of de-
fcnse. So = ss.s .ts
The Chief Justice was about to pu,
the question on Mr. Stanberry's motion
when 6m a IS isass
Mr.. Edmunds offered on order thai
April l be the day appointed for the FL
ing of the Presidents answer; that within
three days thereafter the managers file
the replication; and that on the 9th Of
April the trial proceed.
On motion of Mr.. Morton, at 2 o'clock