New-York tribune., 1905-01-25
SENATE SITS AS A COURT.
READY FOR JUDGES TRIAL
6uaue Summoned to 4nS7cer I'm
peGchment Charges on Friday.
TFRoM TIE TRIBUNE BUREAU.l

Washington, Jan. 24-An impressive scene was
presented in the Senate to-day when the Chief
Justice Of the Supreme Court, clad IN the robes
OF his Office mounted the rostrum and admin
sstered TO the seventy-two Senators present a
solemn oath 10 do impartial justice. according
10 the Constitution and the laws, in all things
Rppertaining to the trial Of Charles Swayne,
Judge IN and for the Northern District Of Flor
ida" Earlier in the day five of the seven man
ayers Of the Swayne case on the part Of the
House had been introduced at the bar OF the
Senate by the sergeant-at-arms. Having
escorted the managers TO their seats immedi-
ately in front of the presiding officers desk the
ssrgsant-at-arms. in solemn tones. uttered the
formal proclamation:
Hear ye, Hear ye, Hear ye! All persons are
commanded 10 keep silence. on pain of imprison-
ment. while the House Of Representatives is ex-
hitting TO the Senate Of the United States ar
ucies OF impeachment against CharleS SWayne,
district judge for the Northern District Of Flor
ids
Representative Palmer then read 10 the Senate
the articles or impeachment. and the managers
to- the House, having been Informed that the
Senate would take proper order" retired.
Precisely az . O'Clock Senator's Fairbanks and
Bacon. who had been designated a special COM
mittee for the purpose. appeared at the door of
the Senate, accompanied by Chief Justice Fuller,
whom they introduced 10 the upper house. The
Chief Justice Immediately ascended the rostrum
and administered the oath 70 Senator Frye,
President pro tenn; then 10 Senator OrviIe H.
Plstt OF Connecticut, who has been chosen pre-
siding officer for the judicial sessions Of the
Senate and then TO the other members Of the
upper chamber in groups Of ten. Only one Sen
alor, Mr. Scott, Of West Virginia objected 10
ths oath and he was permitted 10 affirm his pur-
rose 10 do impartial justice.
The Chief Justice retired at the conclusion OF
the ceremony, for which ha-had been sum-
moned, and Mr.. Platt succeeded Mr.. Frye as
presiding officer. Nj. Plat made a bare an
nOuncement Of the fact that the Senate was sit
ting for the trial Of Judge Swayne. TO which he
added a word enjoining on Senators the impor-
tance OF being in their seats during the impeach-
nsnt proceedings. He said that even committee
work should not keep Senators away. A reso-
luton by Ar. Fairbanks. ordering that a sum-
mons for Judge Swayne be issued was then
passed Il was made returnable Friday next
a. p IN, 70 which time further proceedings
we're postponed
Estimates as 10 the length Of time that the
uia VIII occupy after it is once begun vary from
.el Gays 70 a month. It Is believed that when
'11ee sWayne appears next Friday he win ask
'e" Gays 10 make answer, and, when he does
~'SNer that a day or two more will be given
y me House for the preparation OF its reply. A
t,s-l OF witnesses VIII be heard. and consfd-
= e Il ulne VIII be consumed by attorneys II
tbs -ete-ofe probable that the completion of
ssto.e Val not long precede the day Of final
No. s-.tineil - IA March II is however the DUR
rosets1 SENATORS 10 press the case as rapidIv as
~ is, ss, sno The present expectation is Thar
i've s SESSIONS Nlll be advanced an hour or
trisi a, - pa oI each cay VIII be given to the
ST5issh aish ule prelimiuaries are disposed Of
ge-rsssss gTess sMayne is now IN Wilmington. Del. and
here fo- .sAIl arms Kansdel of the Senate lcft
Eunrao. ma city Tonight TO serve the Senates