Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1876-08-05
{ From the Washington star Of august lst.l
The Belknap impeachment Trial.
Vote of "NOt Guilty. on all the Articles.

Soon after twelve o'clock to-day the Senate
resuming its session as court OF impeach-
ment proceeded to vote On the first article OF
impeachment 10 tie Belkuap case. The gal
leries set apart fer men were well filled; there
was sprinkling of diplomatic representatives,
in the diplomatic gallery, and the ladies' gat-
lery was comfortably filled. Seated on chairs
placed behind the rows Of Senatorial seats and
on the sofas were perhaps fifty or sixty MEM
bers of the House. Chief Justice Waite,
Hon. VIM. NJ Evaris, counsel for President
johnson during bis impeachment trial also
occupied seats on the floor of the Senate. All
the managers were in their seats, bnt no one
representing Gen. Belknap, except Hon. Matt.
II. Carpenter, occupied seats at the table Of
the counsel for the respondent. When the
name Of Senator Logan was called, who voted
mot guilty." many Of the members Of the
House rose and left the chamber, being appar-
emily convinced that the respondent would be
acquitted. When the result was announced
on the first article-35 voting guilty and 20
not gui ty-several enthusiastic females IN
the ladies' gallery gave few feeble claps OF tue
band, but at once desisted, finding no one 20
join them.
1 ne vote Oh tut bSLpilA tbtAlSiS ~ 'iH HN"~A
ment resulted yeas 86, nays 25-Mr. MaXey
having come in and voted guilty" Senators
who voted mot guilty" on the first article
voted in the same way on all the other articles.
\ VERDICT OF "NoT GUILTY"
Most if not all Of the Senator's voting a.
gainst conviction explained that they did so
because they did not believe the Senate had
Jurisdiction 10 the premises, General Belknap
being private citizen, and not an officer Of
the government when impeached by the Hou'e
of Representatives But one democratic Sen
ator MIR. Eaton of Con1ecticut voted mot
guilty" and he took the same view as regard
ed want of jurisdiction. As 81 Senators vo-
ted, Al ltwo-third,) votes were necessary to
convict.
Mr.. Morton was not present, having met
with slight accident this morning by the
oyerturning Of heavy chair in which be was
sitting.
General Belknaps son, O young man Of
perhaps twenty-five or three, was in the
chamber while the vote was being taken on
the first article and was evidently considerably
agi,atcd When the result was announced be
exhibited unmistaknble signs Of delight
Gen. Belknap himself was waiting for the
verdict" at Nj Carpenters law office, on +
street, and the moment the result was an
bounced q mounted messenger in waiting was
dispatched to carry him the glad ,idngs.-
Mr.. Carpenter himself was warmly congratn-
lated be having made q special plea before
the court against Jurisdiction.
While the vote on the fifth article was being
taken. Mr.. Morton was aided into the Senate
chamber and took his accustomed seat. He
voted guilty" OF the % Senators voting
not guilty, 90 did so without reference to the
evidence, bu! because they did not believe The
Senate had Jurisdiction In the case. Senators
Wright and Conover voted "not guilty" be-
cause tboy did not regard the charges as sus-
iaIned by the evidence.