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| Associate Justice Samuel Chase |
The Supreme Court's decision in Marbury v. Madison was a moral victory for the Democratic-Republicans because William Marbury and the other 16 Federalists who had not received their judicial commissions were prevented from serving as judges. But the Democratic-Republicans were still angry that the Federalists controlled the Judicial Branch, and they took steps to weaken that control.
In April, the Democratic-Republican-controlled Congress passed the Judiciary Act of 1802. This act decreased the number of times the Supreme Court would meet during the year. Originally, the Supreme Court held two sessions during the year: one starting in February and other starting in August. Under the 1802 law, the Supreme Court would hold only one session per year beginning in February. This act also restored the Supreme Court to six members.
Next, the Democratic-Republicans set out to remove Federalist judges through the impeachment process. Their first target was Associate Justice Samuel Chase. An ardent and outspoken Federalist, Chase had influenced two trials that he had presided over while riding the circuit in 1800. In the treason trial of John Fries, Chase had placed so many restrictions on the defense attorneys that they quit. Without adequate defense, Fries was convicted of leading an anti-tax rebellion. And in the sedition trial of James Callender, Chase had barred key defense witnesses from testifying, resulting in Callender's conviction for printing false, scandalous, and malicious things against President Adams.
In March of 1804, the House of Representatives voted to impeach Samuel Chase for abuse of power in both the Fries and Callender trials. Once someone has been impeached, they must stand trial in the Senate, where a two-thirds vote is necessary for a conviction. During his trial, Chase claimed he was being punished for his political beliefs. While a majority of the Senators thought Chase was guilty, the vote fell short of the two-thirds needed for a conviction. After his acquittal, Chase returned to the Supreme Court where he remained an Associate Justice until his death in 1811.
Do you feel you understand the Democratic-Republican war against the Judicial Branch? Use the activity below to review what you have learned.
According to the Judiciary Act of 1802, how many terms per year was the Supreme Court permitted to meet?
- one
- two
- three
Originally the Supreme Court met for two separate terms during a calendar year. But the Judiciary Act of 1802 decreased that to one term per year in order to limit the Court's power.
Originally the Supreme Court met for two separate terms during a calendar year. But the Judiciary Act of 1802 decreased that to one term per year in order to limit the Court's power.
Originally the Supreme Court met for two separate terms during a calendar year. But the Judiciary Act of 1802 decreased that to one term per year in order to limit the Court's power.
What was Samuel Chase impeached for in 1804?
- an act of treason
- neglect of his duties
- abuse of power
Samuel Chase was impeached for abusing his power. As an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court, Chase manipulated two trials that resulted in the conviction of Democratic-Republicans for treason and sedition.
Samuel Chase was impeached for abusing his power. As an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court, Chase manipulated two trials that resulted in the conviction of Democratic-Republicans for treason and sedition.
Samuel Chase was impeached for abusing his power. As an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court, Chase manipulated two trials that resulted in the conviction of Democratic-Republicans for treason and sedition.
What was the outcome of Samuel Chase's impeachment trial in the Senate?
- Chase was acquitted after all members of Senate voted that he was not guilty.
- Chase was convicted after two-thirds of the Senate voted guilty.
- Chase was acquitted after the Senate fell short of a two-thirds vote to convict.
While a majority of the Senate agreed that Chase had abused his power, the vote fell short of the two-thirds needed to convict Samuel Chase and remove him from the Supreme Court.
While a majority of the Senate agreed that Chase had abused his power, the vote fell short of the two-thirds needed to convict Samuel Chase and remove him from the Supreme Court.
While a majority of the Senate agreed that Chase had abused his power, the vote fell short of the two-thirds needed to convict Samuel Chase and remove him from the Supreme Court.
Summary
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