The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1875-12-04
WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE
FRIDAY, December =.
SENATE.

FRIDAY, December >.
SENATE
The Senate was opened with prayer
bv Rev. DR.. Reilly Of the Fourth street
NJ. +. Church.
Mr.. Caldwell introduced Il bill TO au-
thorize the County Court OF Ohio county
to sit in some other building than the
Court House; accompanied 10y petition
asking for the passage of the bill And
on Mr.. Caldwell's motion, the rules were
suspended and the bill taken up out of
rs order for consideration. Upon the
motions of Messrs. Bennett and Camden
respectively, the reference was suspend
/ ed. and the bill was read second time.
/ At this point IN the proceedings of the
/ Senate, the President stated that diff
/ ncultv presented itself to his mind as to
| the oath to be administered to the Scna-
tors when entering upon the trial of I'M
peachn erts. Thereupon u heightened
! discussion was had.
Mr.. Camden offered resolution that
the Senate now proceed to organize as II
Court for the trial OF John ;. Burdett
and Edward \. Bennett, against whom
articles of impeachment have been cX-
hbitcd to this body; which resolution
WAS amended, upon the motion Of Mr.
Johnson, by inserting, that, in admins
ter;ng the oath to the Senators, the
names OF both the accused be inserted.
This was further modified by Mr.. Cam
den, swearing the members first to try
John 5. Burdett, and afterwards Edward
A. Bennett This form was adopted.
The Committee appointed for the pGr-
pose, Mcssrs Camden, Dennis and Bcrk-
Shire, appeared, cscorting Judge Hay
mond. the Chief Justice Of the Court of
Appeals who is to act as President Of
the Court of impeachment.
Judge Raymond, on being conducted
to the chair of the Presiding officer, was
addressed by President johnson, as fol
lows:
In obedience TO the resolution Of the
Senate, | request you To- take the chair Is
presiding officer Of the Senate while Sit
ting as u court Of impeachment.
Judge Raymond, on assuming the
chair, said:
SENAToEs-In obedience to your no
tee attended the Senate to join you In
the trial of John :. Burdett, Treasurer
of the State. on trial OF impeachment
and also Tor the trial of Edward n. Ben
nett, Auditor of the State, on trial OF
impeachment presume it will be ne
ccSsarv to organize two separate and DIS
tinct counts of impeachment for the trial
of these cases. The first thing will be
the organization of II court for the trial
of John ). Burdctt.
Some difference of opinion exists as TO
the necessity of the President OF the
Court OF Appeals taking the oath pre-
scribcd for Senators for this purpose, un-
der the provisions of our Constitutions
Probably it Is not necessary; but AS no
harm can come OF so doing, | am pre-
pared to take the oath prescribed in the
case.
The cath was then administered to
Chief Justice Raymond by Judge John
Blair Hogc, of the Berkeley district
President Raymond then administered
the following oath TO each Of the Senators
separately:
you do solcmnly swear that in all
things appertainIug to the trial of inn
pcachmcnt of John 5. Burdctt, now pend
inc. YOU will do impartial justice accord.
inc to law and evidence, 30 help you
God
At the close Of this proceeding, the
President announced that all of the Sem
tors having taken the prescribed oath, the
Senate is now organized as Court of
impeachment, for the tria! Of John ).
Burdrtt.
The Scrgeant-at-ar made proclama-
7 ton of the fact.
Mr. Camden stated that the Senate had
adopted certain rules for the govern
men, of the Senate, but it would be nee
cssary for this Court to adopt them as ("
/ Court, which was done.
Mr.. Dennis offered a resolution order
| ing the Clerk O. the Senate to inform the
/ House Of Delegates that the Senate is
now organized Us Court of Impcach-
mcut. and ready to proceed to the trial
Of John :. Burdett.
The Managers on the part of the House
of Delegates were informed that the Court
WAS now ready to receive them.
McSSrS. DldKclhoIt, HUTCHINSON, Ndr-
lie ard Stuart, the Board of Managers
ON the part of the House announced
their presence for the purpose of prose
cutting the impeachment
Mr.. johnson submitted an order that
summons be issued to John 5. Burdett,
citing him 10 appear before the Court at
1880 o'clock A. NJ, on Tuesday, Deccm-
Der eth.
/ Mr.. Blakcmore then announced that
the Board of Managers had no further
/ present business before this body.
On motion of Mr.. Dennis the Senate
then adjourned as Court of lmpcach-
ment until 1880 o'clock, Tuesday, Dec
ember 7lh.
/ President johnson, taking the chair,
said:
SENAToRs-What is the pleasure of the
Senate in relation to the case of Edward
\. Bennett, impeached before this body?
Mr. Camden moved that the Senate
now organize itself into a Court of In
parchment for the trial of Mr.. Bennett.
| Adopted.
Chief Justice Raymond being again
invited TO take the Chair, Judge IIoge