New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-03-03
THE STORY OF HIS FALL.

THE STORY OF HIS FALL.
rrr law GIVING HIM THE APPOINTMENT OF POST
rRIpsRs-ms ACQUAINTANCE WITH MARSH
now THE PAYMENTS WE'RE MADE-HIs DIS
ICE CONES SUDDENLY AND IN AN UNUSUAL
WAY.
ley TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuEEl
WASHINGTON, March 2.-Ihe discovery of Secre-
.arv Beknap's astounding conduct in connection
With the sale of military pOst-traderships burst upon
ths capital to-day like an avalanche. For the first
time in the history Of the country has q member Of
tha Presidents Cabinet been impeached by the
House Of Representatives, and It seems rs though
the disgrace and degradation into which Gen.
Grants Administration has dragged the public ser
vice cannot be greater than at the present moment
The indistinct Tumor of the. scandal which was
started early this morning ran through the
Sty ike prairie on fire. Everybody was incred-
ulous aud unwilling to take the word Of his first
informant; but gradually the report began to gain
eredence, and then tho excitement was very great
The news came to the public in an unusual form.
All the great scandals Of past years have been
preceded by accusations, which have generally
beon followed by denials; then committees OF
Investigation have been raised, and they have
toied weeks and months in dragging from
unwilling witnesses little driblets of the
truth. By these proceedings the public has been
prepared for the report of the Committee when it
has come ard indeed has generally reached its con-
elusions long before any official report has been
made. But in this case there were no recent pre-
lmnary publications giving warning Of tie coming
Storm Nobody had heard that the Committee on
Expenditures in the War Department had been
making any Investigations at ALL or that any accu-
satiOns against Secretary Belknap had been made
BY any one, before it was announced that to-day,
this very day the Secretary of War was to be inn
peaehed The story of Secretary Belknap's fall is
soon told.
By the act recognizing the army passed by Con-
ess in 1885, the Office of sGtler in the army and at
military posts was abolished, and the following year
the Commanding General was authorized to permit
trading establishment to be maintained after the
1st day Of july 1867, at any military post on the
frontier not in the vicinity of any city OF town, and
dtusted at any point between the Tooth meridian
west from Greenwich and the eastern boundary OF
the State Of California, when in his Judgment
such an establishment was needed for the
protection Of emigrants, traders, and other
ctzens provided that after the Commits
iy Department was prepared to supply
stores to soldiers as required by law. Any trader
permitted to remain at such post shOud not sell any
goods kept by the Commissary Department to any
enlisted man. by an act passed July 10, 1870, and
now embodied In Section Lib of the Revised
Statutes of the United States, the law regulating
the appointment of post-traders was amended 10 as
give to the Secretary of War instead Of the Com
manding General Of tho Army the authority TO per-
nit one OF more trading establishments to be
maintained at any military post on the
frontier. The persons 10 maintain such
Establishments" the law says, "shall be appointed
by him 1.-THE Secretary of War, and shall DO under
protection and control as camp followers" SOOu
after the passage Of this act the Secretary of War
vent to Long Branch to spend portion Of the Sum-
mer. The privilege Of maintaining trading estab-
hshment at these frontier posts was a very valuable
one, aud no doubt numerous applications were at
once made TO Secretary Belknap by traders and
SPECTATORS TO be allowed 70 avail themselves of the
opportunities thus presented for profitable trad
mg While at Long Branch the Secretary
ana bis family became acquainted with
MI {. 7. Marsh Of New-YOrk, and before their re-
taFn to Washington in the Fall made q visit at Mr.
Aa1shs house. where Mrs. Belknap was taken seri-
0usS ILL., During her stay there she informed her host
OF the valuable franchises in the GIFT of her husband
sIo W posed that he should apply for one of them
lhH must have been within two or three months
a'er the passage of the act giving the appointment
VI These traders to the Secretary Of War. Whether
IN understanding was arrived at that Mrs. Belknsp
'noaid have share of the profits should Mr.. Marsh
receive such an appointment not, does not clearly
sVpeaF In the testimony. But it does appear that a
&c" weeks later Sir. Marsh did receive the appoint
@eaN through Mrs. Belknap's influence, Of post
naaer at Fort Sill, and sold the privilege thus
VD'slned 10 trader already on the ground
WIN stock Of goods for $4,000 year. When
NO ufst quarterly payment under this contract was
~soe " Mr. Marsh, DO Immediately forwarded one
n@n OF the money TO Mrs. Belknap; but before the
,s0Oho payment Was que the latter died. Mrs.
bowers, the hrst Mrs Belimaps sister. and the lady
suOu the Secretary subsequently married, seems TO
ave arranged with Mr. Marsh on the day of Mrs.
'n1aps funeral that the payments should be con-
aDueu and they were continued from that day until
~, :. end OF the last quarter in December, 1875.
iAe money, with the exception Of the first pay
.'ns made In November or December. 1870. and
sse last lnade IN December 1879, was always sent
ssnecty to the Secretary of War, sometimes IN the
Vim OF checks or certificates of deposit sometimes
- "ank-nOtes forwarded by express. and on
luxurious occasions 1t paid TO him in person in
"e~.Iork City. The testimony of Mr.. Marsh and
~ nV1tS WHICH he pfOoucoV 10 SUSTAIN IL ais
'ueh character as TO leave no room for doubling
'He entire accuracy If his whole story. And IL Il
we're possible to entertain for q moment the
Seu''on that the secretary'I acts might have beer
.asonstrued, or that be was innocent Of any inten
H0nai wrong, all doubt on this score has since beer
removed by his conduct and that Of MTs BelknsI
sna her erotheT.th-law since this investigation
sseAa fsv days ego ThsiI eaorA 10 induce Mr
assa " iAEsas tens story by whiah 10 deceive III