The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-03-11
The Story of Bslknap's Downfall.


the elegant leisure Of that famous water
Ing place. Subsequently Mrs. Belknap
visited Mrs. Marsh, at her residence, in
the Metropolitan city. While there she
fell sick Thus prostrated, she received
every attention which kind friend could
surround her with, and ultimately recoy-
cred. Having regained health, it began
70 suggest itself to her how she could re-
pay the Marsh family for the many acts
Of kindness showered upon her when
laboring under her iudisposition.
Mrs. Belknap approached Mr.. c. p.
Marsh, and after reminding him that she
was under some obligations, told him
frankly that she desired to make some
recompense for the trouble to which she
had subjected the family Said she "Why
don't you get post tradership-there is a
vacancy at Fort Sill" EYES, says Mr.
Marsh, shut have no influence" "But
] have;" says Mrs. Bclknap, "my husband
y Secretary of War, besides there is
money in IT," "Well," said Marsh, ''if
there is money in it, whatever l make l
will divide with you"
Having thus paved the way, Marsh
went through the form of making applica-
tion for the place. He applied on the
printed blank necessary for the purpose
and forwarded the application for the ap-
pointment to Secretary Belknap at Wash
ington. 1t was received in due course Of
mail, and not hearing from it in u reason.
able time, the applicant came to Washing
.tf fnn IN 70. hsa -,
1t appears that Marsh called on Bel
knap to push the application, and was
successful. Secretary Belknap, however,
told Marsh that the trader who was then
at the post had been there long while,
and that he did not like to remove him.
He suggested that Marsh 20 and see him.
The evidence next shows that Marsh did
see him. The traders name wns Evans.
An arrangement was entered into between
Marsh and Evans, whereby the latter was
to remain; but in consideration Of remain
ing he was to pay $4,000 annually to
Marsh. There was IN understanding
entered into at the time that the Secre.
tary Of War was to keep certain number
of United States troops at the post.
Marsh then came East aud received his
money in quarterly installments, half of
81 which, $4,000, he duly paid to Mrs. Bel
knap,
When the first wife sickened and died
she was attended in her illness by Mrs.
Bowers, her sister, the present wife Of
Secretary Belknap, About the last re-.
quest she made Of her sister was that
when she was gone that all moneys which
should be paid thereafter by Mr.. Marsh
should be held for the benefit of the child.
s After her death this request was faithfully
carrie out, but within the ensuing six
months the child died also.
The evidence does not clearly show who
received the quarterly payments from the
date Of the child's death after the time of
Secretary Belknaps marriage with his
deceased wife's sister. 1t does show, how
ever, that the money was paid on the
!. child's account; for Mr.. Marsh, it appears,
disregarding the solemnities of the occa-
sion, on the very day of the burial Of Mrs.
Belknap, went into the nursery where the
child was and made payment on its
account.
1t is also shown by the testimony that
an 1872 or thereabouts, that Evans, the
trader at Fort Sill, complained to Marsh
that he was paying too much for his privi-
iege on account Of the required number of
companies not being kept at the fort.
Soon after he made his complaint, the sum
paid annually was reduced from $4,000
to $4,000. 1t also shows that after the
marriage of Secretary Belknap the second
time, that the newly made wife received
the installment through the Secretary.
The amount paid in the aggregate to the
two wives of the Secretary and the child
was half Of the amount paid by Evans to
Marsh, which being $4,000 in all, the
share coming to the Belknaps was $50 600.
The ORIGIN OF THE INVESTIGATION.
The following is given us the origin of
the Belknap investigation While in
search for house for his family in De-
cember, b. b. Lewis, of Alabama, was
referred to G.. 0. Armes, a real estate
agent in Washington. During their search
for house Mr. Armes id conversation
stated to Mr.. Lewis that he had formerly
belonged to the army, but was dismissed
through the enmity Of Belknap; that if he
had the assistance of member Of Congress
he could in sixty days develop facts that
would force Belkuap to resign. Mr.. Lewis
rendered his assistance, and they subse-
quently had several interviews. Mr.. Lewis
being impressed, sought the advice of Mr..
Randall, who advised that the facts be
brought before Mr.. Clymer, Chairman on
Expenditures in the War Department.
Mr.. Lewis and Armes saw Mr.. Clymer,
and the latter gave list Of witnesses, in
eluding Marsh. Afterwards Mr.. Clymer
thought Armes was acting in bad faith, as
the Secretary said Armes had proposed
If he were restored to the army aud certain
other conditions complied with, he would
drop the matter. Mr. Lewis said if Armes
were seeking only to levy blackmail Of
course they could have nothing to do with
it, but advised, as Armes had furnished
the names Of witnesses, that they be called
and examined, which was done.
The FEELING IN WAsHINdToN.- The
correspondent Of the Baltimore An,erican
says The Belknap exposure has pro-
duced most painful feeling among the
Republicans in the Senate and House, and
little else is talked about. Your CORES.
pondcnt had interviews with several promi-
nent Republican Senators and many Of
them agreed that under the circumstances
the President ought not to have accepted
Belknap's resignation, but to have waited
the action Of the House.
There is difference among the Sena-
tors as to whether the House can prefer
articles Of impeachment after the official
sought to be impeached is out Of Office.
The President is reported to be greatly
shocked ut this exposure Of one Of his
favoritc Cabinet officers, regarding It as a
severe blow to his administration.
The SCENE IN THE HoUsE.-The
greatest excitement prevailed all day
10 the House Of Representatives. The