The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-04-18
F0RTY-FOURTH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, April II.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, April II.
SENATE.
There was unusual activity in the
chamber this morning, preparing for the
Impeachment Trial.
In the area In front of the Presiding
Officers tables, seats were placed for the
counsel for Belknap and for the man.
ayers on tho part of the House. In the
space in the rear of the Senators, seats
and chairs were placed for the members
of tie House. When the Senate was
called to order, there was not seat to be
obtained in the galleries. A large portion
of the gentlemen's gallery was reserved
tor the ladies, in addition to the regular
gallery, and large majority of the
audience was composed of ladies.
After the journal OF Thursdays pre-
ceedings had been read, variovs peti-
tions and memorials we're presented,
but at half past twelve the Legislative
business was suspended, and Senate pro-
ceeded to the consideration of the articles
of impeachment.
After proclamation by Sergeant-at-
Arms, Chief Justice Waite administered
oath to Senators Allison, Burnside,
Christiancy, Dennis, Conkling, Caperton,
Goldthwaite, Howe, Jones, (Nevada)
Morrill,, (Maine) Ransom and Robertson,
who were not present when other Sena-
tors were sworn a few days ago. Sena.
tors Alcorn, Johnston, (Virginia) Eng
llsh, Patterson and Wadlugh, were not
present to take oaths..
Secretary was ordered to notify the
House that Senate was ready to proceed
with the trial, and that seats had been
provided Tor the members.
At 1850 o'clock ex-Secretary Belknap
with his counsel, Messrs. 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 seat between him
and Judge Black He seemed very ner-
vous and began reading, but soon drop
ped the pamphlet and conversed with
his counsel. 4.e Managers of the i'm
peachment and members Of the House
appeared at O'Clock, but quarter of an
hour had almost elapsed before all were
seated, when the minutes of the session of
the Seanate as Court of Impeachment,
held on the 9th inst, we're read.
The return on the writ served upon
the ex Secretary having been read and
the Sergeant-at Arms having called upon
him to answer, Mr.. Carpenter
read and had fileo plea denying the
jurisdiction of 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. That he has not
since been nor is now an officer OF the
United States, but was and is private
citizen Of the United States and Of the
State of Iowa.
Mr. Lord on the part of the managers
asked time be allowed them until the
10th inst. to cor slider what reply shall
be made to the plea of Belknap and it
was so ordered.
The managers and counsel for the ac-
cused having in reply TO the question
of the President pro tenn said they had
nothing further to propose and the
Senate sitting as Il high court ofimpeach-
ment adjourned until Wednesday next
and resumed the consideration OF legisla-
tive business.
Mr.. Mitchell, from the Committee on
Privileges and Elections, to which was
referred the question as to the proper
amount of compensation to be paid +. b.
S. Pinchback, late contestant Tor seat
in the Senate from Louisiana, reported q
resolution to pay Pinchback sum equal
to the compensation and mileage OF
Senator, from the beginning of the term
for which he was contestant to the terDi-
nation of the contest by the Senate. Or
dered printed and laid on the table.
Mr.. Thurman gave notice that at the
earliest time possible, he would call up
his motion to reconsider the vote by
which the bill in relation to the counting
of the vote for President and Vice-Pres-
ldent was passed.
Mr.. Morton gave notice that on Mon
day morning next, he would ask the Sen
ate to proceed to the consideration OF the
resolutions submitted by him early In
the session, in regard to the rights OF the
States and the true and national charac-
ter of the government.
The Committee on Appropriations re-
ported House deficiency appropriation
bill with amendments, including the fol-
lowing: To pay the expenses of the
transportation of custody exhibits on and
returns of the United States property to
be exhibited at the Centennial. $l5,ooO
for the Interior Department, slS,5OO for
the War Department, $4,000 for the
Treasury Department, $4,000 for the
Smithsonian Institute, $1,000 for the
limited States Commission on food fishes,
and $4,000 for the Black Hills Commls
sion. 1t is also proposed to authorize the
use for contingent expenses. any surplus
anpropriations made TO either OF the De-
partments by act OF .Aarch 8, 1876.
The unfinished business, being the bill
for repaving Pennsylvania avenue, was
resumed. Pending discussion, the Senate
went into executive session and soon ad-
journed.