The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1876-05-04
CONGRESSIONAL.
SENATE.

In the senate, on the 18th, there was
unusual activity, preparing for the impcach-
ment trial of W. W. Belknap, late secretary
Of war. After the journal Of Thursdays pro.
ceedngs had been read, various petitions and
memorials were presented, but at half past
twelve o'clock legislative business was sus.
pended, and the senate proceeded to the
consideration Of the articles of impeachment.
The secretary was ordered to notify the house
that the senate was ready to proceed with
the trial, and that seats had been provided
for the members. At fifteen minutes to one
o'clock cx.Sccretary Beknap, with his coun.
sci, entered and proceeded to the table pro-
vided for them. The managers of the i'm.
peachmcnt and members of the house aI.
pcared at one o'clock, when the minutes of
the session of the senate as a court of im-
peachment, neld on the 9TH inst, were read.
The return on the writ served upon the ex-
secretary having been read, Mr.. Carpenter
read and had filed plea denying the iuris.
dictiOn ot the senate to try Belknap on the
articles Of impeachment, AS he was not an
officer of the United States at the time such
articles were found and presented to the
senate. Mr.. Lord, on the part of the man.
ayers asked that time be allowed them until
the 10Th instant to consider what replication
shall be made to the plea of Belknap, and it
was so ordered. Mr.. Mitchell, from the COM
mittee on privileges and elections, to which
was referred the question as to the proper
amount Of compensation TO be paid i. B. :.
Pinchback, late contestant fOr seat from
Louisiana, reporteda a resolution to pay Pinch
back the sum equal to the compensation and
nE thn lao, of
the term for which he was contestant to
the termination Of the contest by the senate
Ordered printed and to lie on the table. The
committee on appropriations reported the
house deficiency appropriation bill with
amendments, includin the following: To
pay the expenses ot transportation, custody,
exhibition and return OF United States prop
erty to be exhibited at the centennial Sl5,.
600 for the interior department, $1s,j00 for
the war department, $lI,00O for the treasury
department, S21 900 for the Smithsonian in
stitute, -, 600 for the United States commits.
sion Of food for fishes, and 600 for the
Back Hills commission. The unfinished
business being the bill for the repavement Of
PENNSYLVANIA avenue, it was resumed, and
pending the discussion the senate went into
executive session and soon adjourned
In the senate. on the 18th, Mr.. Sher
man reported favorably on the senate bill to
amend the laws relating to legal.tenders OF
silver coin. He gave notice he would call il
up Thursday. The bill reported and recon-
mended for passage by the finance commit
tee, in its full text, is as follows: There shall
he coined at the mints of the United States a
silver coin oi the weight of 4l2 $40 grains
troy Of standard silver, the emblems, devices
and inscriptions Of which shall conform Ia
those prescribed By law for gold and silver
| coins Of the United States, with such motif
cations thereof as may he necessary to render
said dollar distinguishable from the trade
dollar, aud in the coinage and delivery there
of the same deviations from standard weight
| and iineness shall be allowed as are pre-