The New York herald., 1876-07-17
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.

more
WASHINGTON, July l6, 1876.
fHR IMPEACHMENT rRIAL-QUEsTIoN OF JURIs
DIcTIox AS AFFECTING THE VOTE ON THE
GUILT OR INNOCENCE OF THE ACCUSED.
The indications are now that the impeachment trial
will last throughout the whole of this may
not be brought to close until carly in the following
week. The counsel OF Belknap determined to dis.
pute the way inch by inch and express themselves
nnguine that the Senate will not convict From the
snor VI conversation among some OF the Senators 1t
rould seem as If Bclknaps lawyers in urging the plea
H want OF jurisdiction when they did at the COM
nencement OF the trial, instead OF waiting for the
summing up made mistake They will. IL
Is understood, contend that the twenty nine
Senators who voted adversely to finding
jurisdiction cannot vote for against conviction.
They ALL In Short contend that they cannot vote At
ALL which would leave less than the thirds, even r
unanimous to decide the question OF guilt or inno-
eeuce. The main point they will bring up is, that the
Senate IN deciding against jurisdiction by o vote o.
only IS to 20, less than thirds has already de
facso acquitted the accused. But response will be
made in behalf of the prosecution in which leading
Senators concur. and among them, it is faid, Mr.
Morton, that the question OF law has been
deeEled by tho majority vote OF IS TO
%, and the decision being binding on the
whole Senate, on the twenty nins as well the
thirty five, the minority relieved OF any con-
'cientous scruplc in the matter and free pass
anreservedly the question OF guilt or innocence
1t Is thought that when verdict be rendered
will be found that OF the Senators who do not
share the opinion above expressed will simply rise and
announce themselves present, but not on the
of
having voted against jurisdiction they cannot
conscientously votc for conviction. Senator
Conklng and number Of other Senators
wi'i IL is said take this position, the result being
ailure to convict The above views Of this subject
are based upon the supposItion that full. nearly
ull, Senate will be called upon TO take action In the
matter Of voting for against conviction This need
not be tue necessarily The quorum will DO
suhc ent 10 take action in the matter and under the
constitution two thirds of this quorum could find the
accused guilty Taking therefore, the quorum to he
thirty eight Senators, two-thirds Of whom would be
iwen,ysix is easy TO conjecture the possibility OF
utualion in which the twenty Senators would be
relieved OF all scrupe and the thirty secure con-
viction.
Mr.. BRIsTow's EXAMINATION CONCERNING CAB
INIT MATTERS NOT TO DE PRkssED-HIs
POSITION AS STATED BY HIS FRIENDS.
tow 10 press him any further with questions about
Cabinet matters. though he may call him other
points Mr.. Bristows friends say that he told the
committee when he was nero that he should feel at
liberty 10 their questions in regard TO what
passed between himself and the President on Official
matters even II the latter should give his consent
since he held that the privilege which protected the
communications which passed between the and
his Cabinet merely personal but involved grave
questions Of public policy which neither tho President
any member OF his Cabinet the right TO waive
Mr. Brstow's friends say tina, he will change his
soursc toward the committee Of the Pres
dents letter, and they add that this question OF an
wsrng committees OF Congress formerly discussed
the Cabinet and that tho President aud all The Cab.
net agreed that answer should DO made touchi ny
cabiuet proceedings or conversations to any CON-
mittsc OF Congress- Mr. Bristows friends do not as
sort, however, that Mr. Brstow has anything TO tell
and the tact that he refuses to answer although
he has the Presidents permission, Is regarded as an
seknow isdgment that he has nothing to tell
THE HAMBURG MASSACRE IN THK HoUsE-MR
sxALLs, OF SOUTH CAROLINA, DETERMINED
TO EXPRESS HIMSELF.
A spicy oven; may be looked for In the House to-
uorrvw Representative Smais, the colorcd member
from the Filth South Carolina district will rise TO n
privileged question in connection with the massacre at
Hamburg He Jailed on Saturday TO obtain the noor
owing his having yielded TO the solicitation OF Mr.
Hancock. OF Texas, for the withdrawa,or his res
oiution the subject Of tho massacre. Although
General Banks appealed that he might be heard,
Mr. schecLer, OF Texas, through the persuasion OF
~. Harris, OF Virginia. cut on all debate by moving
that the House, which Committee of the Whole
should rise. Mucn feeling has since been aroused
smong fair minded democrats, we'll as republicans
u this application Of tho gag law, aud Mr.. Smas VIII
~ encouraged to demsnd a hearing. He proposes to
vpiy to the rcbun gwen HIM by Representative Cox,
4 New York. and will rciteratc his rcjondcr TO him
hat he vouched for by vote 1850 votes his
itstrct where hs says he is to tho manor born, and
lot ike Mr.. Coz, carpet-bagg
rHx RIVER AND HARBoE BILL-AS gXPLASA-
1rox or THE ACTION OF THE sESATx-LA-
DoRs ron PARrI ENDS.
The River and Harbor oill when II camc to be acted
apon in the Senate, took turn which greatly sur
psised everybody and which, In view Of the wholesale
reductions made In the committee, needs explanation
lt will he remembered that tho committee cut out all
The minor appropriations ase enIsrged the figures Of
~ mportan. ones. but when the bill got before the