The Portland daily press., 1876-04-18
BELKNAP,s IMPEACHMENT.
His Counsel PIend Want Of Jurisdiction
ON the Part of the Senate.

WASHINGTON, April 17.-In the Senate
chamber there was unusual activity long before
the senate met, preparatory to the impeach-
ment trial of the late Secretary of War, Bel
KNAPP. OEe clock was the time fixed for the
return OF the process issued on the 5th instant,
requiring him to appear and answer the arti-
cies OF impeachment presented by the House
OF Representatives. In the area in front of the
presiding officer tables were placed for counsel.
In the space in the rear of the Senators seats
chairs were placed for the members of the
House. The galleries were well filled before
half past H. and when the Senate was called
to order at noon there was not seat to be OBJ
tained. A large portion of the gentlemen's
gallery on the left of the diplomatic gallery
was reserved for ladies in addition to their reg
ular gallery.
When the Senate was called to order the
chaplain in his opening prayer said. I'VE pray
Thee be very specially nigh to Thy servant who
presdes in this place, and to Thy servants, the
Senator'S. in discharge of the high and solemn
functions with which they are here now invest
ed. May they not tail to see the right and to
dispense justice for the confirmation of all that
is good for the welfare of the nation" Legis-
lative business was suspended at 1890 D. m,
and the Senate proceeded to the consideration
of the articles of impeachment against w. W.
Belknap.
After proclamation by the Sergeant-at- Arms
Chief Justice Waite administered the oath to
OtudtOiS AHlSOu, DuruSlue, OnTlSGldnCy, Couk-
ling, Carpenter, Dewes, GOldthwaite, HOwes,
Jones of Nevade, Morrill, of Maine, Ransom
and Robertson. who were not present when the
other Senators were sworn few days ago. On
motion of Mr. Edmunds, it was ordered that
the Secretary notify the House that the Senate
was ready to proceed with the trial, and that
seats were provided for the members. Senators
AlcorD, Johnston of Virginia, English, Patter-
son and Wadleigh were not present to take the
oath. At II. 55 ex-Secretary Belknap, with his
counsel, Messrs. Carpenter, Black and Blair,
entered the Senate and proceeded to the table
provided for them. Mr. BeIknap walked to
the table leaning on the arm of Mr. Carpenter
and took seat on his right, between him and
Judge Black. He appeared very nervous and
began to read as soon as seated, but soon enter
ed into conversation with his counsel
The managers Of the proceeding and the
House OF Representatives appeared in the
chamber at o'clock. 1t was past one before
| all the members of the House were seated. The
| minutes of the session of the Senate as Cour
| of Impeachment held on the 5th inst. wert
then read. The returns on the writ served upor
| the eX-Secretary having been read and the Ser
geant-at-Arms calling upon him to answer
| Mr.. Carpenter, as the counsel for the ex-Sec
| rotary, read and had filed plea denying thu
| jurisdiction of the Senate to try Mr.. Belknal
| on the articles of impeachment as he was no
an officer of the United States, but was and i
private citizen of the United States and O
the state of Iowa.
| Mr.. Lord, on the part of the managers of tn
House, asked that time be allowed them unit
Wednesday, the 10Th inst, to consider what re
plication shall be made to the plea of Mr.. Belk
nap, and it was SO ordered by the Senate. Th
managers on the part of the House and tn
counsel for the accused, having in reply to
| question by the President pro tempore, an
nounced that they had nothing further to pro
pose, the Senate as Court of Impeachment
adjourned till Wednesday next at 80 O'Clock
L Nhn Of .kok xrr.&1 4.
managers then withdrew, followed by Mr.. Belk
nap aud his counsel.