The Morning herald., 1876-04-18
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CASE IN THE HOUsE.
Dy tAs American Press Aasoc,ation.
WASHINGTON, April II.
SINATE-The Chair appointed Aessn.
NDm1s and Thurman . commtttes TO
vnk a IL Chief Justice TO invite him to
sftand n the Senate Chamber to admins
tar the oath to Seaators who had noI besD
svus1 lbr ~ trial Of the impeachment Of
". ". Delknap, late Secretary Of War. Al
1880 the Chisf Justice enters1, escorted BY
the committee, and Was conducted TO the
ri9ht of the Chair. The Chair then d.
yeeted the oergeant-at-Arms to make the
ugUp4 announcement.
Tie Chief Justice then administered the
oath TO the following Senators: Asssrs
AIliesp, Burnside, Cspsrton, Christiancy,
Conkling, Dennis, Goldwaite, Howe, Jones,
Of Nsvnda, Morrill,, Of Maine, Ran
son anA Robertson.
On motion Of Mr.. Edmunds, the Seers-
tary was directed to inform the House that
the Senate was sitting in its chamber ready
to proceed with the trial of W. ". BelknaP,
late Secretary OF War, and that seats are
peoyidsd for the Managers. At one minute
70 D. m, the late Secretary of War, Bel.
kpap. entered the Chamber, accompanied
by his counsel, Messrs. Carpenter, Blair
and Black, and al took seats at the table
provided for them. Shortly after the Aan-
aeers Of the Impeachment, attended BY the
Gergeant-at-Arms of the House, entered,
s,d were announced and conducted to the
seats provided for them.
Nr. Manager Lord said, "Mr. President,
In accordance with the invitation extended
70 the House of Representatives, the House
has resolved itself inio Committee OF the
Whole, and viii attend.
The PresidentPro tenn. directed the ser
gsa1t-at-Arms Of the Senate to wait on the
House Of Representatives and escort them
to the seats provided. All the members OF
the House Of Representatives then entered,
preceded by their Speaker. The Speaker
took seat in front Of the President and the
members took the chairs provided on the
east side circle. Such of the members OF
tie House - could not obtain Beats re
mained standing.
Mr., Conover was then sworn by the Chief
Justice. The Secretary then read the mi
putes of the Senate, sitting as Court OF
l1VG8Guu1Cut OA IuC tAi04 VI W. W :
knap, late Secretary Of War, on April 5th.
The Secretary then read the return of the
sergeant-at-arms,t to the effect that hehad
served the process of the Senate upon the
said W. W. Belknap.
Chief Justice then swore the Sergeant
st-Arms % to the truth of the return. The
Chief Justice then retired, escorted by the
committee, Messrs. Edmun2s and Thur
man.
The eergeant-at-Arms then made proc
lamation as follows civilian W. Belknap,
william W. Belknap, William W. Belknap,
appear and answer to the articles Of i'm
peachment exhibited against you by the
House of Representatives"
Mr.. CARPENTER then arose and said, "Wm.
W. Belknap, private citizen Of the United
states and Of the State of Iowa, In obedi-
epce to the order of the Senate to appear
and make answer to the articles of i'm
peachment exhibited against him by the
House Of Representatives., appears at the
bar of the Senate and interposes the follow
ing plea, which l ask be read by the seere.
Ths plea was then read 1t interpose.
that the Senate ought not to take cogni
zance of the articles of impeachment ex-
hibited by the House, because at the time
said articles were preferred said Belknal
was not nor has be been since, nor is he
now an officer of the United States, but
was then. is now, and has been private
citizen of the United States, and Of tn,
State of Iowa. Therefore he prays judg'
ment whether this Court will or can take
eognizance of such articles ofimpeachment
Appended to the plea was the oath o
said Belknap as TO the truth of its state
ments, subscribed to before Mr.. Justic
Davis in the Supreme Coult.
After the reading Of the plea Mr.. Man
aser Lord asked that the House Of Repre-
sentatives have time to consider what re
plication to make to this plea.
ing, IN behalf Of the House, for copy Q
The plea fled by W. W. Belknap, and ais
for post ponement till Wednesday t
answer the plea of Belknap.
The President pro tenn. stated that ther
being no objection, the request wa
The counsel for the accused stated tina
they thought they would be ready to 90 .
on Wednesday, though they could not 50.
- they did not know what the Hous
would do.
On motion Of Mr.. Edmunds, the Senat
sitting - . court of impeachment adjourn
ed tut Wednesday, the 10th inst.
Managers Of the Impeachment member
Of the House and Gen, Belknap, and coul
eel then withdrew.
Aftsr discussing the requirement bill q
length, the Senate went into executiV
session and then adjourned.
HOUSE.-Ths Speaker called the attel
ton Of the House to the fact that the H
hourn matter came over as unfinished bus
psss and question of high privilege.
Mr.. Lord, New York, addressed IL
Houss, taking the ground that this was n
4 question whether the House would r
vsfss its action; not q question whether
had acted rightly; but whether, having re
dersd its judgement, 1t would now sure
der ita iurisdictfop, He maintained tn