The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-04-29
CONGRESS-.
WHsHIHeroS, April %.
0ENATE. ~,
Legislative business was suspended at
1880 and the

lZ:3U and the
Impeachment Trial
resumed. The pending question was on
the motion submitted by the managers, to
hear the testimony in regard to the iuris
diction of the Senate before the srgu-
ments in regard thereto.
Mr.. Carpenter, of counsel for the ac-
cused. addressed the Senate. He charged
that the managers were attempting TO
manage the case on both sides. It was
not the intention of counsel TO cause any
unnecessary delay, but they had prior
professional engagements, and had not
yet had time to prepare themselves for
arguing the question of jurisdiction. He
asked that the matter be delayed for two
weeks from to-day, and they would then
ask no further postponement. Their only
object was to present the question Of
jurisdiction as its importance demanded.
Mr.. Lor d opposed the request Of the
counsel for a postponement, and asked
the Senate to hear the testimony in re-
gard to the jurisdiction, He stated that
they had witnesses ready this morning,
and asked that they be heard.
After further argument Mr.. Conkling
submitted an order that the Senate pro-
ceed first to hear and determine the ques.
tloR whether W. w. Belknap. respond
ent is amenable to trial by impeachment
for acts done as Secretary Of War, not.
withstanding bis resignation of said
Office. The motion that testimony be
heard touching the exact time of such
resignation and touching the motive and
purpose of such resign nation Is reserved
without prejudice till the question above
stated has been considered.
Further discussion between counsel
followed.
Mr.. Carpenter said they would contend
that an officer of the government had
right to resign at any moment and the
motives which govern the resignation
cannot effect the matter. as
Mr.. Lord said the evidence as to juris-
diction was principally documentary and
it would not take over an hour to hear it.
Mr.. Edmunds submitted q motion to
strike out the last paragraph of the Or
der submitted by Mr.. Conkling. aud in.
sert the following in lieu thereof; and
that the managers and counsel in such
argument discuss the question whether
the issues Of facts are material.
The Senate then retired to consider the
order as submitted by Mr.. Conkllng, and
the amendment of Mr.. Edmunds.
At 4:40 the Senators returned to the
chamber, and the presiding officer, Mr..
Ferry, announced that several orders had
been agreed upon which were read by
the clerk as follows:
Ordered, That the Senate proceed FIRST
to hear and determine the question
whether W. w. Belknap is amenable to
trial by Impeachment for acts
done as Secretary of War, notwithstand-
ing the resignation of said officer, and
that the managers and counsel in such
arguments, discuss the question whether
the issues of the facts are materia', and
whether the matters in support of the
jurisdiction alleged by the House of
Representatives, in pleading subsequent
to the articles of Impeachment, can be
those alleged, if tho same are not averred
in said articles.
Ordered, That the hearing proceed on
the 4th of May; that the openind and
close of the argument be given to the
respondent; that three counsel and three
managers may be heard in such order as
may be agreed on between themselves,
and that such time be allowed for srgu.
ment as the man .gers and counsel may
desire.
After argument by Messrs. Boar and
Carpenter, the Senate sitting as a Court
OF Impeachment adjourned till Monday.
The consideration of legislative busi-
ness was then resumed, but without
transacting any important business the
Senate adjourned till Monday.