The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1876-03-08
- II a RTLING!
A Member Of the Grant Cabi-
net Accused of Bribery.
RELH&NAP, TIE SECRETARY
OH WAX, THE MAN.
He Confe~ses His Crime.
And is Impeached by Unanimous Vote.


WASHINGTON, March 2-Specials hence
report that the Committee on Expenses in
the War Department have the evidence of Il
Mr.. Marsh. that he paid Mrs, Belknap ten
thousand dollars cash, and six thousand
dollars per year for three years, for the
post-tradership at Fort Sill, aud other army
posts in the Southwest. One special states
that Secretary Relknap appeared before the
Committee. but made no defense. lie
begged for mercy ar the hands of the Com
mttee, and asked to he allowed to resign.
This, not even the Republican members
were incined to listen TO.
A bout 10 O'Clock this morning. Secretaries
Belkuap Bristow and Chandler. and Sena-
tors Morton and Merrill, called on the Pres
ident. The subject discussed was the rcsig-
nation OF Secretary Belknap. and Chandler
then proceeded to the War Department.
THE WITNESS MARsH-ORIGIN OF THE BEL
KNAPP INVESTIGATION.
Marsh was not willing witness. re Wa5
brought here in custody. The following Is
given as the origin of tie Belknap inyesti-
CATION:
While in search for a house for his family
in December, Hon. B. 3. Lew is. of Alabama.
was referred to G.. A. Arnes, a real estate
agent in this city, During their search for
a house Mr.. Arn6s. in conversation, stated
to MIR. Lewis that he had formerly belonged
to the army, but was dismissed through the
enmity of Beknap; that if he had the as
sistance of a mem Der of Congress, he would,
in sixty days, develop facts that would force
Belknap to resign:
Mr Lewis rendered his assistance, and
they afterwards had several interviews
Mr.. Lewis being Impressed, Sought the adj
vice OF Mr. Randall, who advised that the
facts be brought before Mr.. Clymer Chair
man of the Committee on Expenditures in
the War Departments,
t9Y's and Arnes saw Clymer, and the
To- va
ed Marsh. Afterwards CIymer thought
Arnes was acting in bad faith as the Sec
rotary said Arnes lad proposed, if he
was restored 20 the army, and certain
other conditions complied with, he would
drop the matter. Lewis said Arnes was
seeking to levy blackmail. OF course they
could have nothing to 90 with it, but
thought, as Arnes had furnished the names
of witnesses, they should be called aud eX-
amined.
WASHINGTON, March 2.-In the House
to-day, Cymer, OF Peansy lyania. presented
a resolution OF Impeachment against VIM.
NJ. Reiknap, late Secretary OF War, for high
crimes and misdemeanors in office. In tue
midst of great excitement and unusual still
ness in the House, he rose and said: Il ask
/ permission OF the House to make report
/ from the Committee on Expenditures in
! the War Department, of SO grave impor-
lance that L am certain when il is heard
/ the House will agree that | am justified in
asking their permission Permission was
/ granted, and Clymer, taking his position al
the Clerks desk, read the following report
The com mittee found at the very thresh-
hold of its investigation, such unGuest iona
bic evidence of the malfeasance of Gen
| BeIknap. Secretary of War, they found i
their da.y 10 lay the same before the House
They therefore, unanimously report, ant
demand that said Belknap. late Secretary o
War, be dealt with according to the law
and they offer the following:
Resolved, That Belknap. late Secretary
OF " ar be impeached of high crimes ant
misdemeanOrS in office.
Resolved, That the testimony in the cas-,
OF BeIknap, late Secretary of War, be re
tefred 10 the Judiciary Committee with in
structions to prepare and report, withou
unnecessary delay, suitable articles of i'm
peachmenC of said Relknap, late Secretar,
of War.
Resolved, That committee of five mem
Ders OF the House be appointed aad in
structed to proceed. ut once, tn the bar o
the Senate, and there impeach Belknap
Secretary of War, in the name of Tue PEG
pie OF the I nited States, of high crimes an,
mlsdemeanors when in office, aud inform
that body that formal articles OF impeaeh
ment will, in due time, be presented. ant
request the Senate to take snel order in TIA
premises as they may deem appropriate.
Mr.. tlymer then proceeded TO read til
testimony of Caleb 5. Marsh. taken befor
the committee, showing that he had pait
49, Sedi IelhHslI $-O.UUU III GOnStueratiO
OF his appointment as Post Trader at For
Sill. - -
Debate being closed, the House proceeds
to vote on the resolutions, and they ,wer
unanimously adopted. n les
The Speaker appointed as committee +
notify the Senate of the action of the House
Messrs. Clymer, Robbins, Black burn, Bias
II and Daniorth, they being mem befs com
Il posing the committees on expenditures O
the War Department making the report.
BELKNAP is not near 50 9 placid q
] RahoonE