New-York tribune., 1876-06-02
WASHINGTON.

A DULL DAY IN THE IMPEACHMENT COURT.
PRESENCE OF DOM PEDRO AND "DON." CAMERON
DISCUSSION OF AN ORDER TO The RESPONDENT
TO ENTER FURTHER PLEA-MR CARPENTER
ARGUES THAT SENATORS WHO VOTED AGAINST
JURISDICTION CANNOT VOTE FOR CONVICTION.
iBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBusE.l
WAsHryGroN, June 1.-The impeachment trial OF
Gen. Belknap was resumed to-day, but caused little
interest on the part Of the public. This was mani
tested by the sparse attendance in the galleries. and
by the general want of attention to the proceedings
The Brazilian Emperor was present for nearly an
hour which gave little interest to the visitors. and
the new Secretary of War, DON" Cameron, was
upon the floor receiving congratulations on all
hands. The Emperor was also visited IN the Dipo-
matte Gallery by several Senators, including the
Chairman of the Foreign Committee but their at
tenion seemed dstasteful, and they soon withdrew
Dom Pedro was accompanied by his Minister to
Washington and listened with respectful attention
TO the speech of Dir. Carpenter. He also busted
himself with looking at a diagram OF the Senate,
and studying the faces of the different members;
but as many of the Senators sitting IN the seats
Of Others, it is possible the Emperor may have ar
rived at an unjust judgment of some or them.
confusion of such gentlemen as Senator'S Conkiing
and Spencer, or Senators Morton and Patterson,
would be rather mortifying to the gentlemen Ii
made known to them.
The Impeachment proceedings were rather tedious
and uninteresting. Mr.. Carpenter was the only
counsel present and he and his client sat near each
other at the table. Two of the Managers were also
absent As usual the Sergeant-at-Arms made dole
full proclamation to all persons, with absurd for
mality that they would be punished if they did not
keep silent and then the Clerk read portions OF the
journals CT the secret session. Senator Whyte Oh
Maryland was the first to arrive, and be offered an
order, the discussion of which occupied the whole
time of the session. 1t, in effect, ordered the re-
spondent to enter further plea to the notices With
D 10 days. Mr.. Carpenter spoke against the adop-
ton of the order questioning the right of the SEN
ate to compel his client to plead further. In the
course of his remarks ho was rather severe on the
Senate by telling its members that they were not
proceeding legally, that no constitutional vote
(meanng two-thirds had declared that it had
jurisdiction, and that witnesses could not
be punished for perjury; and he spoke
strongly to show that Senators who voted against
jurisdiction could not vote for conviction for if they
voted for conviction and the respondent was con-
yicted. the Senate would thus declare that it had
jurisdiction He said if he on trial he would
rest his ease without examining witness and let 1t
stand without word. He would let the Managers
move for Judgment, and he did not think there was
one Of the indictments that would not be quashed
on motion in q court of law. Senator Thurman
became somewhat excited at the nslnuations made
against the Senate but under the rules he was not
allowed TO speak. Messrs. Lord and McMahan, on
the part Of the Managers, spoke briefly, and the
Senate at the request of Mr. Carpenter-who said he
would like to confer with his associates one of whom
WAS absent and the other sick-adour the Court
until Tuesday.