The Van Buren press., 1871-03-07
ARKANSAS LEGISLATURE.
Little Rock Gasette Report.l
House., Feb. 81.

|
dozen whereases, prepared by the i'm
peached chief justice, reciting the fact oI
the impeachment of the governor, and
chief justice, and the fact that when the
managers went to the senate and notified
that body, no quorum was present--and
whereas, there are grave doubts as to
whether that was legal notice, therefore
move that the board of managers be in.
structed to at once proceed to the bar of
the senate and present articles of impeach-
ment against these parties.
His only object in making this motion,
Mr.. Clayton said, was that all doubts
might be removed, and the accused
brought to a speedy trial. If the articles
were not speedily presented and prose
ca.ed, the State would be involved in an
immense expenditure. The parties have
a right to demand speedy trial. 1t has
been asserted that these articles were tot-
ten up for political effect. that the guber-
Material office might devolye on the lieu
tenant goyernor--and if this motion was
voted down, it would prove the truth OF
these charges. The accused demand a
speedy trial--are ready to he heard, and
he hoped this house would not shield it.
self behind a mere legal quibbie.
Mr. Padgett responded at some length
The managers had been to the bar of the
bsenatea announced the impeachment OF
Clayton aud Mcclure. And now from
whom does this effort come to shield
themselves from mere tccbnicality !?
From Powell Clayton He has had no
tice, not only from officers of the senate
but in other ways This is an attempt to
make the house stul,ify itself
C!ayton--The only intention of the
motion is to bring the parties to n speedy
trial.
Padgctt--But the gentleman viii re-
member that the senate, under the dicta-
ton of their master, skulked the issue
by ahsen,ng themselves in order to pre-
vent the very thing the gentleman asserts
he drSircs--a speedy trial, and by that
act they treated this house with utter con
tempt. Aud now you tell us we must ap-
pear again before the tools of Powell
Clayton, who took to the brush at his
bidding. On the l7th the managers ap-
peared at the bar of the senate, and never
was such contempt shown before as was
exhibited toward us by the contemplate
members of that body What hope have
the people of Arkansas for justice, before
a body that disbands under the bidding
of the very man who is to be tried ? That
senate has adopted rules for the govern
mcnt of impeachment, compelling each
manager to confinc himself to fifteen
minutes in which to make their argument.
These rules were read only once, and
passed, right or wrong-eycn demand
for second reading by senator, was
refused. And you would ask us to stulti-
fy ourselves and go back to that machine,
who skulked for ten days.
The chair reminded the member that
his illusions to the senate were not in
accordance with parliamentary usages.
Padgett-That's true, if we had n sen
ate men who would try this ease as i'm
partial jurors.
At this point message from Gov.
| Clayton was announced and cad by his
private secretary, stating that he had ap
proved the bill renting the fifty per
cent. penalty tor nonpaymcnt of taxes.
Mr.. Owen moved to reject the message.
The chair decided the motion out of or
der while another motion was pending.
Mr.. Padgctt then proceeded with his
remarks. If any one was hanging on q
legal quibble, it was GOV. Clayton, and
if he is SO anxious to be brought to trial,
let him come forward and waive all such
technicalities, that the trial may 90 for
ward. Tell me those men--those skulk.
ing senator's, could take any oath that
would bind their conscienccs to give an
impartial verdict?
The speaker again reminded the gen
tleman that his language was dsrcspcct-
full to the senate.
Padgett--les, sir; but you will re.
member that it is not usual for senators
to absent themselves under such crcum.
stances. Under ordinary circumstances
he would not go beyond the bounds OF
courtesy due from member of one
house to the other. He did not believe
if they were to go again they would fine
any quorum. We have done all we coulc
even begged our way to the bar of The
senate in a humiliating manner, and were
treated with scorn and contempt. Ant
now tell me that must 60 again and hu
initiate myself, is to say the people hav,
no rights tQat the senate is bound to re
spect.
Mr.. Waters thought the motion drew
it Acry mild when it recites that gray,
doubts exist as to the legality of the form
or notice Even if it vas legal, it did no
become the house to stand on lcga
bubble. lie cited the Florida case t,
show that the former notice was not lie
gal. No message could be received from
either house when no quorum was pres
cnt.
Mr.. Steele spoke at some length in ia
vor Of the motion,
Mr.. Smith opposed lie could no
look upon the motion in any other ligh
than an effort to make the house stultif,
itself. The managers went to the scnat,
on three several days to give the notice
but were told that no quorum was pres
ent. On the fourth day they appeared as
before, found president in the chair, ,
secretary at the table, and were announc
cd by the sergeant alarms, recognized
and delivered their notice. 1t was no
their business to inquire whether or no
q quorum was present. IL they now claim
there was no senate, it was their fault
not ours It's just as easy for them tt
/ III inn Far t, IL