The Republican journal., 1876-03-09
CONSTANT INQUIRIES CONCERNING THE COM
MITTEE

CONSTANT INQUIRIES CONCERNING THE COM
MITTEE
in charge of the Belknap matter were made on
all sides. Mr.. Fernando Wood had held the
floor for three-quarters of an hour with an uneX-
citing speech in favor of the Hawaiian reciprO-
city treaty. to which, ordinarily, the whole
House would have listened. Mr.. Wood was
prolific in facts and figures; but the galleries.
which were crowded, paid no attention. The
appearance of Clymer and the other four men,
bers of the committee deprived Mr. Wood of
what little audience he had had. Members
crowded around the seat Of the Pennsylvania
member, and hastily sought the most eligible
position in which to hear
THE SENSATIONAL ANNOU NCEMENT
which was about to be made to the House.
Some brought chairs into the area in front OF
the Speakers desk, and others who had no
seats in the eighborhood of Mr.. Clymer and
were too lazy to stand up, made Doors of them
selves by curling upon the floor. One loutish
member rolled out at full length and required Il
notice from the door keeper to make him get up.
Clymer is tall, round-headed, gray-headed,
good-looking gentleman, but he Is not an ora
tor Moreover, he was greatly impressed with
the soemnitv of the occasion, and when he adj
dressed the House and said that he wished to
read the report himself. because he did not be-
lieve the clerks could make it out, he
SPOKE IN THE MOST LUXURIOUS TONES
Various members called out to him to take the
clerks desk and he did so. He read this state
ment in rapid and not too clear manner, for
his voice is not strong one. and he was much
exhausted. The house listened to the statement
with grave attention, save when some OF the
remarkable performances of Belknap were mar
rated caused momentary smile. Then came
the debate and the vote,
The Report.
Mr.. Clymer read the report OF the committee,
which WAS Is follows.
The committe found, at the very threshold of
its Investigations. such unquestloned evidence
of the malfcasance Of Gen. William W. Belk-
nap, then Secretary of War; that they found it
their duty to lay the same before the House.
They further report that this day, at l O'Clock,
letter of the President of the United States
presented to the committee, accepting the
resignation of the Secretary of War, together
with copy of his letter of resignation, which
(the President informed the committee) was
cepted about 10 20 this morning. They there
fore unanimously report and demand that the
said William w. Belknap. late Secretary of
War, be dealt with according 10 the law of the
land, and to that end submit herewith the tes-
timony III the case taken, together with the
several statements and exhibits thereto at
tached, and also a report of the proceedings of
the committee had during the investigation of
this subject, and submit the following reSolu-
tons:
RESOLUTIONS OF IMPEACHMENT.
Resolved that William W. Belknap, late Secretary
of War, be impeached for high crimes and INSIDE
meanors.
Resolved that the testimony in the case of W. W.
Belknap late Secretary OF War, be referred to the
Judiciary Committee, with instructions to prepare
and report, without unnecessary delay, suitable rti-
cles OF impeachment of said William W. Belknap,
late Secretary of War.
Resolved, that a committee of five members of the
House be appointed, and instructed to proceed i'm
medately the bar of the Senate and there mpeach
William w. Beknap, late Secretary of War; in the
name of the people of the United States, of high
crimes and misdemeancrs when in office, and to in
form that body that formal articles OF impeachment
will, in due time, be presented, and to request the
Senate to take such order in the premises they
may deem appropriate.
THE SCENE DURING TIE READING
Mr.. Clymer then proceeded 10 read the teSti-
many Of Caleb L. Marsh taken Yesterday before
the committee showing that he had paid Secre-
tary Belknap about 600 in consideration of
his appointment a> post trader al Fort Sill. In
dian Territory. The reading was listened to
with intense interest by the members of the
House and by a large audience in tie galleries.
In the more pathetic portions of the narrative
Mr. Clymer was frequently forced by his feel
ngs to pause until his voice recovered from its
RIGHTEOUSNESS and himself from agitation.
Many members took up positions near the
Clerks desk, the better to hear the testimony
and accompanying statements.