The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-07-27
SENATE.
1NpEAcHMENr rnAL RESUMED.

The impeachment trial was resumed
Immediately after the Senate was called
to order, and Mr.. Carpenter resumed his
argument for the defense. He denied
that Belknap had received money with
intent to have his official action sweryed,
and without that intent there was no
crime. Mr.. Carpenter then spoke Of inn
peachable crimes, and argued that Bel.
knap had not committed any crime, and
even il he had taken bribe thecourts here
in the District were adequate to deal with
him. He commented at length on the
question OF Jurisdiction. and cited many
legal authorities on the subject to show
that the Senate had no jurisdiction in this
case. He argued that the, Senate had a
perfect right, in its final deci.
sion TO consider that question and
again reassert the decision already
made. Every Senator who voted guilty
on the final issue would by that vote
assert jurisdiction. Every Senator who
believed there was no jurisdiction must
vote not guilty. II any Senator had re-
garded the question Of Jurisdiction as set.
tied then it had been settled in favor OF
the deiendent, because two-thirds OF the
Senate had voted in favor thereof. Hav.
| ing discharged his duty 10 his client he
now left him in the hands Of the court
feeling confident that in case Of this i'm
portance every point would be con.
sidered, and in leaving 1t he would make
1t his last and earnest appeal to those
Senators who believed there was no juris-
dction to try the case, that they would do
all in their power 10 save the defence
| from conviction and not let il be said,
as Lord Brougham said in the case OF
O'Connell VS.. Queen, that the decision
would 20 forth without authority and re-
tuEn without respect. ,!
The Senate then took recess for 10
minutes. 49,. 5 !.
On reassembling Manager Lord COM
menced his closing speech on the
part OF the prosecution. He replied
10 the argument OF Mr.. Carpenter in re-
gard 10 Jurisdiction and claimed that the
Judgment Of the Senate to the effect that
the articles OF impeachment were sutti.
cient in law bound every Senator. He
commented ut length on tho law OF bri-
berry and argued that it made no differ
ence whether the money was accepted toI
influence official action or not the accused
was guilty under the law. II this Senate
in the eyes OF the nation, in the eyes OF
the world, in the eyes OF history, dared
to take the responsibility OF saying that
Belknap received this money, but didn't
have his official action influenced there
by, let it do so and see what history would
say Of the verdict. Mr.. Lord then CON-
mented on the evidence and argued that
Belknap knew where the money came
from TO him and for what purpose. There
was the Tribune article, the letter OF
Grierson and order OF Mcdowell, OF
which Belknap knew, yet after these
things he received ten distinct and sepaa
rate payments. Gifts they were called
by the learned counsel, Mr.. Blair. Nom
sense! A man who received gilt from a
friend was generally proud Of it as evil
dence Of being appreciated by his friend,
but these gifts were all kept out of sight;
they came under the head OF addition,
division and silence. Why did General
Belknap resign the Office Of Secretary OF
War if he was innocent? Why did he go
down like the oak before the whirlwind? ?
Did he not know il he was an innocent
man he could still be Secretary Of
War and no man would attempt to
turn him out on account Of his wife deal
ing in post traderships. His resignation
was confession Of his guilt. His coun-
sci had put in special plea that the res.
ignation Of Belknap, was in pursuance OF
the contract with Clymer, the Chairman
Of the House Committee on Expenditures
in the War Department. When Clymer
was on the stand why didn't the counsel
for the defense try TO prove the fact by
him il the plea was true. 1t was because
they knew il was not true.
Mr.. Lord concluded his argument
when the Senate sitting as n court ad-
journcd until tomorrow and will then
proceed to vote on the final issue.
Legislative business vas resumed and
Mr.. Anthony submitted resolution to
print 10000 extra copies Of the report OF
the Committee on Education for 1875 and
200 extra copies OF the report OF the the
special committee which recently investi-
gated Mississippi affairs. Agreed to.
Mr.. Oglesby, from the Committee on
Indian Affairs reported favorably on the
House bill providing for the sale certain
lands in Kansas. Calendered.
Mr.. Allison called up the River and
Harbor Appropriation bill SO as TO hive
1t come up as unfinished business.
Senate adjourned.