Year: 1876

The impeachment trial was resumed in
the morning after the Senate was called
to order and Mr.. Carpenter continued
his argument.


Hefdenied that Belknsp had received
money with intent to have his official ac-
ton swerved and without that intent
there was no crime.


Mr.. Carpenter spoke of impeachable
crimes, and argued that Belknsp had
not committed any crime, aid even if he
had taken bribe the courts here in the
District were adequate to deal
with him. He commented at length
on the question of jurisdiction,
and cited many legal authorities on the
subject to show the Senate had no juris-
diction in this case. He argued that the
Senate had perfect right in its final de-
clsion to consider that question again,
and reserve the decision already made.
Every Senator who voted guilty on the
final justice would by that vote assert
the Jurisdiction; every Senator who
believed there was no jurisdiction
must vote not gully. If any Senators
regarded the question of jurisdiction SET.
tied, then it had been settled in favor of
the defendant, because less than two
thirds of the Senate voted in favor
thereof. Having discharged his duty to
his client, he now left him in the hands
of the court, confident that in case of
this importance every point would be con-
sidered, and in leaving it he would make
it his last and earnest appeal to those
Senators who believed there was no ju
rlsdiction to try the case, that they
would do all in their power to save the
defence from a conviction and not let it
be said as Lord Broughsm ssid in the
case of Aconnell vs.. Queen the decision
would go forth without authority and re-
turn without respect.


The Senate took a recess for fifteen
minutes.


On reassembllng Manager Lord COM
menced closing on the part of the prose.
cution He replied to the argument
of Carpenter in regard to
the jurisdiction, and claimed the judg.
ment o. the Senate, to the effect that the
articles of impeachment were sufficient
in law and bound every Senator. He
commented at length on the law of brib.
cry, and argued that it made 70 differ
ence whether the money was accepted
by Influenced official action or not, the
accused was guilty under the law. If
this Senate, iD the eyes OF the nation, in
the eyes OF the world, IN the eyes of his
tory, dared TO take the responsibility of
saying that Beiknap received this money,
but did not have his official action In
Anenced thereby, let it do 80, and see
what history would say of the verdict.


Mr.. Lord then commented on the
evidence and argued that Belknap
knew where the money came from to
him and for what purpose. There was
the Tribune article, the letterof Grierson
and the order Of Mcdowell, of which
Belknap knew. Yet after these things
he received ten distinct and separate
gifts they were called by the
learned counsel.


Mr. Blair-Nonsense A man who re-
ceived a gilt from friend was generally
proud of it, as evidence of being sppre-
ciated by his friend, but these gifts were
all kept out of sight. They came under
the head of addition, division and silence.
Why did General Belknap resign the
office of secretary Of war, if he was in.
nocent. Why did he go down like the
oak before the whirlwind. Did he not
know that if he was an inno-
cent man he could still be
OF War, and no man would at
tempt to turn him out on account Of his
wife dealing in post.traderships. His
was confession OF his guilt.
His counsel had put in special plea that
the resignation Of Belknap was in pur-
susnce Of contract with Mr.. Clymer,
chairman of the House Committee on
in the War Department,
Mr.. Clymer was on the stand. Why did
not the counsel for the defence
try to prove the fact by him?
Ii the plea was true, it was because
the knew it was true.


Mr.. Lord concluded his argument,
when the Senate sitting as court ad.
iourned until to morrow, and will then
proceed to vote on the final ISSUE


Legislative business was resumed, and
Mr.. Anthony submitted resolution to
print 10000 extra copies of the report of
the commissioner OF education for 1875,
and 1900 extra copies of the report of
the special committee which recently in
vestigated Mississippi affairs. Agreed to.


Mr.. Oglesby, from the Committee on
Indian Affairs reported favorably on
House bill TO provide for the sale of cer-
tain lands in Kansas, Colorado.


Mr.. Allison called up the river and
harbor appropriation bill, so as TO have it
come up as ur finished business.


Senate adjourned.