The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1876-05-04
BY TELEGRAPH.
CONGRESSIONAL.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, d. c., April -.

WASHINGTON, ID. c.. April 81
The galleries were again crowded today ;
two-thirds of the audience being ladies.
AT l2;3o the Legislation business was
suspended, and the impeachment trial be-
gun.
Mr.. LORD submitted a motion that evil
| dence relating to the question Of the juris-
| dicton Of the Senate, be given before the
arguments relating thereto, and if such
plea is overruled, that the defendant be re-
guired to answer the articles of impesch-
ment within two days, and the House to
| reply, If they deem it necessary, within two
days, and that the trial proceed the next
| day.
After joining of issue, Carpenter for the
accused, moved that the trial be postponed
until the first Monday OF December next,
and asked that the time for discussing thi.
motion be fixed At two hours tor each side,
which was granted, the vote being 4S to IL.
| Mr.. BLAINE addressed the Senate. in
favor OF this motion, and argued that it
was impossible for the Senate to do JUS
tice to the great and important question
involved, on account OF the advanced stage
of the session, and that the counsel had
not had time To make suitable
investigation, before presenting themselves
to argue this great question again. The
House was even now making investiga-
tions with a view of presenting additional
articles of Impeachment, and if any addi-
ticnal charges were to be made, the coun-
sci for the accused wanted them hereby in
vited to make the closest scrutiny into the
official conduct Of the accused.
He referred to his life, and stated that he
had won his way into the councils Of the
nation on the foot of battle. Another rea-
son why the Senate should postpone the
trial was that it connected itself directly
with the political issues Of the day, and
both parties were almost committed to his
destruction.
Judge Black followed on the same side.
Judge Black spoke an hour, and dwelt at
some length upon the political excitement
against the accused, contendIng that it was
intense that each party was committed to
his ruin. 1t was impossible for him to
have a fair trial, though he might have
an honest one.
At the conclusion of Mr. Blacks speech,
Mr.. Edmunds moved that the Senate with
draw for consultation, which WAS agreed to.
Before retiring, NJ. Hoar, one of the
managers, called its attention to a rule of
parliamentary law which restricts the Sen
ate in discussion Of what has taken place
in the House Of Representatives. He de-
sired to know whether that was a rule gov
erning the proceedings on this trial, so that
the managers Of the House might govern
themselves accordingly. He did not make
any motion on the subject, but merely de-
sired to call the attention of the Senate to
it, in order that the managers might under
stand what their rights and duties were in
the premises.
Mr.. CARPENTER raid that on the
part Of the defendant the
council wished to be heard
before that important question was decided.
Then the Senate, at ) O'Clock, retired for
consultation, and returned 10 the senate
chamber at 4:SO, when the presiding officer
announced that the motion on the part OF
the defendant was denied, and that counsel
on the part of the respondent would now
be heard on the motion submitted by Mr..
Mann, which ia that evidence on the question
pending, of jurisdiction, before arguments
relating thereto are heard, and that If
such plea is overruled, that the defendant
should be required TO answer the articles
of the impeachment in two days, and that
the trial shall proceed ON the next day, al
ter joining issue.
Mr.. BLAINE, counsel for Belknap, rose
to open the argument, but on motion Of Mr..
| Anthony, the Senate, sitting As court OF
Impeachment, adjourned until Tomorrow at
| l2:3O.
After on executive session, the Senate ad-
journed.
! II -
Legislative business was suspended at
l2::3O, and the impeachment trial resumed.
The pending question was the motion
submitted by the managers to hear testi-
mony in regard to jurisd ction Of the Senate
before the arguments in res.ru thereto.
Mr.. CARPENTER, of counsel for ac-
cused, addressed the Senate. He charged
that the managers were attempting to
manage the case on both sides. 1t was not
the intention of the counsel to cause any
unnecessary delay, but they had prior pro-
fessional engagements, and had not yet had
time to prepare themselves for ar
guing the question OF jurisdiction.
| He asked that the matter be
delayed for two weeks from to-day, and
they would then ask no further postpone
ment Their only object was to present the
question of jurisdiction as its importance
demanded,
Mr.. LORD opposed the request Of coun-
sci for postponement, and asked the Sen
ate TO hear testimony in regard to jurisdic-
ton. He stated that they had witnesses
ready this morning, and asked that they be
heard.
After further argument, Mr. Conkling
| submitted an order that the Senate proceed
| first TO hear and determine the question
whether W. w. Belknap, respondent, is
amendable to trial by Impeachment for acts
done as Secretary of War, notwithstanding
his resignation of said office.
\ motion that the testimony be heard,
touching the exact time of such resignation,
| and TO change the motion and purpose OF
| such resignation, Is reserved without pre-
judice. Still, the question above stated,
has been considered, and further discussion
between the counsel followed.
Mr.. EDMUNOS submitted a motion to
strike out the las. paragraph of the order
submitted by Mr.. Conkling, to in
sert the following in lieu thereof,
land that the managers and
counsel in such an argument dis
GUS the question whether the issues Of the
facts are III I:erial."
The Senate then retired, to consider the
order, as submitted by Mr.. Conkling, and
the amendment of Edmunds.
At 4:45 the Senator'S returned to the
chamber and the presiding officer, Mr.. Fer
~, announced that several orders had
been agreed upon, which were read by the
clerk as follows:
Ordered that the Senate proceed, first, to
hear and determine the question whether
W. W. Belknap is amenable TO trial by
Impeachment, for acts done a. Secretary Of
War, Notwithstanding his resignation OF
said Office, and that the managers and
counsel in such arguments discuss the
question whether issues of facts are ma
terial, and whether matters in support of
jurisdiction alleged BY the House of Rep
resentatives in the pleadings sub.
sequent to the articles Of Impeachment
can be those alleged, if the same are not
averred in said articles.
Second. Ordered, That the hearing pro- |
coed on the 4th of May; that the opening
and close of the argument be given to the |
respondent; that the counsel and managers
may be heard in such order ~ NAV be |
agreed upon between themselves, and that |
such time be allowed for argument - the |
managers and counsel may desire
After argument BY Messn. Hoar and |
Carpenter, the Senate, sitting Is . court OF |
impeachment adjourned till Monday.
The confederation of the legislation bill |
was resumed, but without transsctinx any
important business, the Senate adjourned.
WASHINGTON D. C, MayI.
The resolution submitted Friday last, BY
Mr.. Hamlin, to amend the rules in rslatiea