Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1876-04-18
IMPEACHMENT.
First iay of Belknap's Trial-The Sem
ate Galleries CrOWded-The House
Present I'm Force
He Pleads NOn-0iflcial Existence, and
Court, by Request Of Managers,
AdiOurns to Nineteenth.
SENATE.

| SENAIE.
WASHINGTON, April I7.-There was
unusual activity in the chamber this
morning, preparing for the iupesch-
ment tTlal of w. W. Belknap, late Sec
retary Of war. In the area in front Of
the presiding officer, tables were placed
for the counsel Of Belknap and for the
managers on the part of the house. In
the rear Of the senator's seats, chairs
| were placed for members of the 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, on the left of the
diplomatic gallery, Wss reserved for Ia
dies, in addition TO the regular gallery.
A large majority OF the audience was
comprised of ladies.
After the journal Of Thursdays pro-
ceediD6s had been read, variChs petitions
and memorials were presented, but at
half-psst twelve the legislative business
wassuspended and the senate proceeded
to the consideration of the articles Of
impeachment. After proclamation by
the sergeant-St arms, Chief Justice
Waite administered the oath 10 Senators
Allison, Burnside, Christiancy, Dennis,
Conkling, Caperton, Goldthwsite, Howe,
Jones [NeV.l, Morrill, Me-, Ransom
and Robertson, who were not present
when the other senators were sworn, q
few days ago. Senators Alcorn, John
stOn Val, English, Patterson and
Wadle1gh were not present to take the
oath.
The secretary wss ordered to notify
the house that the senate was ready to
proceed with the trial, and that seats
had been provided for members.
At fiity.fiye minutes past twelve Ex-
Secretary Bslknap, with his counsel,
Messrs. Carpenter, Black and Blair, en-
tered and proceeded to table provided
for them. The ex-secretary was leaning
on the ara Of Mr.. Carpenter, and took
q seat between him and Judge Black.
He appeared very nervous, and began
reading, but sO0n dropped the pamphlet
and conversed with his counsel. The
managers Of the impeachment and
members of the house appeared at one
O'Clock, but quarter OF an hour had almost
expired before sll were seated, when the
minutes OF the senate, as q court of i'm
peschment, held on the fifth instant,
were 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 fled o plea de-
nying the jurisdiction of the senate to
try Belknap on the articles of impeach-
ment, as ne 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 not
now, an officer Of the United States, but
was and is private citizen OF the Uni
ted States and of the State of Iowa.
MI. Lord, on the part Of the mana
gere, asked that time be allowed them
until the nineteenth instant to consider
what replication shall be made to the
plea Of Mr.. Belknap, and it was so oT-
dered.
The managers and counsel for the &C.
cused, having, in reply to a question of
the president pro ten1pOTe, said they had
nothing further to propose, the senate,
sitting as court OF impeachment, ad-
jOurned until Wednesday next, and re-
sumed consideration of legislative busi-
ness.