New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-03-04
THE IMPEACHMENT CASE.

/
The Senate yesterday terminated its
labors as Court Of impeachment by
removing Mr.. Wickliffe from Office.
When counsel for defense had closed their
argument, and just after Representative
Lowell had proceeded to make the closing
argument for the State, he was inter-
rupted by MIR. Semmes, of counsel for de-
Tense, who stated that he had something
| to offer for the consideration of the Court
that might possibly render it unnecessary
| to proceed further in the case. Mr..
Wickliffes resignation was then read; but
as this was not the proper place for its
consideration, the Court Of Impeachment
determined to proceed with the trial.
Mr.. Lowell spoke for about three hours,
and fully met the ingenious and able ar
guments of Messrs. Semmes and Gray,
who LETT no stone unturned to clear Mr.
Wickliffe of the damning charges pre-
ferred against him. He reviewed the law
and testimony, severely criticised the fall
lacious reasoning of the learned counsel,
defended Senator Lynch's course in the
case, and denounced what he termed a
brutal attack on that Senator by the coun-
sci for Mr.. Wicklihe. Mr.. Lowell spoke
earnestly and forcibly, and met and re-
futed all the specious arguments
made by counsel to sustain the fragrant
conduct of high State official. After
Manager Lowell had concluded, Senator
Ray moved that vote be first taken on
article four. This, after some Gelibera.
ton, was agreed to. The fourth article
was then read as follows:
.or OF Public Accounts for the State of
Louisiana. did, on or about the thirtlsth
day OF December, A. D. one thousand eight
hundred and sixty.eight, at New Orleans,
Louisiana, uDmiDdful of the high duties OF
his office and Of his oath of Office,
and in violation of the constitution
and laws of the State, issue his
official, negotiable warrant, numbered
7O7l, upon the State treasury. for the
sum of one thousand nine hundred and
eighty dollars, in the name one J. B. Rich
ardson. Jr., and did induce the said j. 3.
Jr., to indorse and negotiate
said warrant, No. 707I, for the use and ben.
eft OF him, the said George N. Wickliffe,
the said warrant being drawn for thirty
three coupons, numbered one, and thirty |
three coupons, numbered two, detached
from bonds issued by virtue of the pro-
visions of act numbered one hundred and |
fifteen, approved in March. 1867, he, the |
said George M. Wickliffe, we'll knowing that |
none OF the bonds authorized by said act |
numbered one hundred and fifteen, of 1867, |
were issued until all coupons numbered |
)ne and two were past due, and not issuable:
Ill this to the injury of the State and in viola.
ion OF law, whereby the said George n.
Nlcklltfe, Auditor of Public Accounts for
he State of Louisiana. then and there did
commit and was guilty Of high crime in
,ffice.
When the reading was concluded, Chief
Justice Ludeling directed that the vote of
senator's be taken, instructing the Secre-
airy of the Senate to call the roll The
'ote was to determine the guilt or in
lOcence of Mr.. Wickliffe, as charged in
his article, and Senators had to vote yes
r no. This was a very solemn part of
he proceedings, for it was no doubt
bought to be test vote as to the removal
f Mr.. Wicklife from office. The names
f Senators were called, and unanimous
ote declared him guilty as charged in
rticle four
On motion OF Senator Ray, further vote
as taken, declaring Mr.. Wicklife removed
ON office and torevermore ineligible for
flee in this State. To this every Senator
oted yea, but one.
The proceedings Of the last day of the
onrt of impeachment were conducted
ith the utmost decorum and solemnity,
Id Senators deserve the thanks of The
eople OF the State for having performed
is duty impartially in their interest. /
he duty they had to perform may have |
zen painful one, but they did not g
rink from it, and are therefore entitled t
the thanks of the people.