Evening star., 1918-03-17
FIFTY YEARS Ago In THE STAR

surface, the humblest in the land-hxSo
an equal right with them to hear and
see the proceedings. 1t seems 70 us.
and dipiomats' sections the sniisries
should have been left free to an comexR,
the only condition being good behavtof
and the admission of no more than
seated. II, however. this course ocuod
not be carried out. certainly one or two
sections might be left open to the pub
lie with good results. Many intell+
gent and well-behaved persons who
are greatly interested in the subject
have no acquaintance with persons haxr
ing tickets to distribute. or do NOT
under the plan adopted they must stand
aside for others more favored in having
friend at court or whose cornposi-
tion contains more OF the Offensive
are in no other respect any better, IL
so well, entitled to seats.'
50
On Friday. the 18th of March-an
ominous date. which curiously appears
not to have attracted at
Trial tertion at the time-the
Impeachment trial began.
otdfts. though it did not continue
beyond that day immediately The
Star of that date contains the story
of the proceedings, which attracted an
immense throng to the Senate wing.
Two-thirds of those present in the gale
leries were ladies. The Senate cham.
Der had been specially arranged for the
occasion. In the rear OF the senator's
desks $50 chairs had been placed in
serLi-cirLular order for members OF the
House. while in front on each side OF
the main aisle long tables had been
placed. one for the Presidents coun-
sci and the other for the board of man
ayers of the House.
At 1 o'clock Senator Wade vacated
the Presidents chair and Chief Justice
Chase. entering by the rear door. as
cended the steps AND took possession
The sergeant-at-armS made proclama-
tion that the Senate was in session as
court of Impeachment. and motion
| was then carried to notify the House
that the trial was about to commence.
At Il few minutes past l the board OK
sentativss Butler and Stevens, entered.
| followed by members OF the House.
| who took seats in the rear. NJ. Ste
| vens and Mr.. Butler followed in few
minutes and Joined their colleagues
| The Stars report continues:
After all the senators had taken
the oath" (some had been absent on the
former occasion) the sergeant at arms
drew Johnson (the accused), three
! times, without any response, however.
being given. On motion. his counsel
was then notified to appear and they
did so, being Hon. Henry Stanbery.
Judge Nelson of Tennessee and Judge
Curtis OF Massachusetts. They took
seats at the table assigned them. His
other counsel. Messrs. Evarts ana
Black, were not present.
Judge Stanbery read an ahidavft from
the President asking for a grant OK
forty days to prepare his case. Tm9
motion was opposed by members OF ths
House committee of management ana
after a considerable debate the Senate.
on motion. retired to consult on tnS
question, the court leaving the senate
chamber accompanied by the Chief JUS
tice. On the reappearance OF the Sen
ate, after prolonged absence. the ChiS1
Justice overruled the motion OF tn
cornseI for the defense and announces
that the Senate had adopted an order
Commanding the President to appear In
| ter days. This. however. was submfaed
to arother vote, and was lost-25 to -
subsequently an order isva;s+., WAS s1oTssa e
the filing of the replication. 1t was
expected that this would bring about
the actual proceedings in about two
weeks,