The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-04-26
BELKNAP,s TMPEACHMENT.
The Rcioinder Of the House to the Ex-secro-
tnry's Demurrer.

WASHINGTON, April 25.-Mr. SCOTT Lord.
Chairman Of the ImpeAcb me ent Managers, to-day
presented to the House rejolnder to the do
murrer died by ex-Secretary W. W. Beknap.
The paper was read and Is to the effect that the
nrst replication to the plea OF llelknap to the
articles Of impeachment and the matters there
In contained, are Ia matter and form sufficient In
law for the House to maintain Its articles of i'm
peachment, and that the Senate as a court of
impeachment has jurisdiction to hear, try and
determine the same, and that as Belknap has
not answered such articles Of impeachment, or
In any manner denied the same, the nouse prays
Judgment thereon according to law.
AS to the first and second subdivision OF the
rejonder to the second replication of the
House TO the plea OF the defendant wherein
toe House, In behalf OF itself and OF all people
OF the United States, does the like, and as for
the thrd, fourth, nth, and sixth subdivisions
OF the rejOinder the House asserts that II ought
not to be barred from having and maintaining
articles Of impeachment against the defendant
because II denies every argument In such re-
joinder, which denies or traverses the act, or
intents charged against the defendant, and 1t
reaffirn the truth Of the latter therefore, the
House of Representatives prays for judgment
according to law.
The paper was approved by the House. and the
Clerk was ordered to Ole 1t with the Secretary Of
the Senate.
MIR. Clyiner denies the statement 10 BelkDap's
retoindcr that he promised l}elknap immunity
from impeachment on condition that he should
resign. All he said to Montgomery Blair, Bel
signed by tomorrow noon shall move for his
Impeachment but ne never gave the assurance
alleged IN the rel Jinder.
II lknap's Insertion that he offered to confess
" his wife's name we're left out OF the record Is
admitted to he true by the committee. but they
say they declined the offer having no rignt to
accept II.
As indicating Gen. Belknaps line OF de-
fence, lie Will show that while Secretary
OF War the disbursements Of the depart
men. were over fS30,0OO,OOO not a dollar
OF which could be expended without his sigma
ture. and not penny OF which remains unac-
counted for. lie says he will also show, II he
shall have an opportunity, by the testimony OF
the War and other Departments and their sub
ordinates, and by the Division Generals Of the
army, that for prOmptness, integrity, and gen.
eral efficiency his administration has never been
surpassed. IL has been charged that the prac-
tice OF purchasing post traderships has been
universally DI actised. but Gen. Belknap says he
will II permitted, call every one Of the $50 post
traders to refute the hearsay testimony on this
point. There has been much said about
the ex-Secretary being forced to obtsin
money corruptly to maintain his extravaRant
style OF living. lie SAYS he has kepta strict ac-
count OF hts housekeeping expenditure, ex-
tending for about three Years. and his books
and bills, month by month, show TINT, with
possibly two exceptions, his expenditures were
less than his salary as Secretary. BY way OF ex-
mple bis house rent Is $500 and has never
been more than 5000. The statement that he
made confession to the Chairman OF the Com
mittee on Expenditures IN the War Department
| he will deny.