Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1876-04-25
CONGRESS-.
Opening of the Court of I'M
parchment.
Senate,

WASHINGTON, April 17.-Thcre was
unusual activity in the chamber this
morning, preparing for the impeach.
mCnt trial of w. W. Belknap, late
Secretary of War. In the area in
front of the presiding officers tables
were placed for the counsel of Belknan
and for the managers on the part of
the House. In the space in the rear
of the Senators, seats and chairs were
placed for the members of the House.
When the Senate was called to order.
there was not a sent to be obtained in
the galleries. A large portion of the
gentlemen's, on the left of the diplo-
matte gallery, was reserved for ladies',
in addition to the regular gallery. A
large majority of the audience was
composed of ladies.
After the journal of THURSDAYS pro-
ceedings had been read, various petit
tiOus and memorials were presented,
but at 1890, legislative business was
suspended and the Senate proceeded
to the consideration of The articles of
impeachment. After the proclama-
ton by the Sergeaut-at-Arms Chief
Justice Waite administered the oath
to Senators Allison, Burnside, Chris
tiancy, Dennis, COnkling, Caperton,
Goldthwait5, Howe, Jones, of Neva-
da, MOrriie, of Maine, Ransom and
Robertson, who were not present
when the other Senators were sworn q
few days ago. Senators Alcorn, John
ston, of Virginia, English, Patterson
and Wddloigh were not present to take
the oath. 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 1906, ,'ex-Secretary Belknap with
his counsel, McssTs. Carpenter, Black
and Blair, entered and proceeded to
the table provided for them. The ex-
Secretary was leaning on the arm Of
Mr.. Carpenter, and took the seat be-
tween him and Judge Black. He ap-
peared very nervous and began read
ing, but soon dropped the pamphlet
and cOnversed with his counsel.
The managers of the impeachment
and the members of the House APP
peared at o'clock, but quarter of an
honr had almost elapsed before all
wcro seated, when the minutes of the
session Of the Senate as q Court of I'm
parchment, held on the 9TH inst, were
read. The return on the writ served
upon thO tA-CtCTSldTy ntNIng neeu
read, and the Sergeant-st-Arm rms hav-
ing called upon him to answer, Mr..
Carpenter read and had filed a plea
denying the jurisdiction OF the Senate
to try Belknap on the articles of i'm
as ne was not
an officer of the United States at the
time such articles were found ann pre-
sented to the Senate that he has not
since been, nor is now, an officer of
United States, but was, and is, q pri- |
vate citizen Of the United States and
Of the S tate of Iowa.
Mr.. Lord, on the part OF the mana
gers, asked that time be allowed them |
until the 18th inst, TO consider what |
shall be made to the plea !
Of Belknap, and it was so ordered.
Tho managers and counsel for the |
accused having, in reply to the ques- |
lion Of President pro tempore, aaid |
hat they had nothing further to pro-
pose, the Senate, sitting az q court Of |
impeachment, adjourned until We'd |,
leSday next, and resumed considera- |
ion Of legislative business;