Senate Trial and Acquittal
Belknap was tried by the Senate, which ruled by a vote of 37-29 that it had jurisdiction despite the resignation. However, Belknap was subsequently acquitted of the charges when the vote for conviction fell short of the required two-thirds majority. Twenty-three of the senators who voted for Belknap's acquittal believed that the Senate did not have jurisdiction. President Grant's speedy acceptance of Belknap's resignation undoutedly saved Belknap from conviction. President Grant replaced Belknap with Alphonso Taft as Secretary of War.
Read more about this topic: William W. Belknap
Famous quotes containing the words senate and/or trial:
“This is a Senate of equals, of men of individual honor and personal character, and of absolute independence. We know no masters, we acknowledge no dictators. This is a hall for mutual consultation and discussion; not an arena for the exhibition of champions.”
—Daniel Webster (1782–1852)
“Looks like we got a trial ahead of us. But it’s not the first time. We’ve had to go it alone before, and we’ll have to go it alone again. We’re tough. We’ve had to be tough ever since Brother Brigham led our people across the plain. Well, they survived and I dang it, we’ll, well, we’ll survive too. Now put out your fires and get to your wagons.”
—Frank S. Nugent (1908–1965)