The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-08
4 Talk with Gen. sherman About the BEL
kunp Affair.

DESTROYS of ascertanmg what effect the
Delknap sensation mad upon Gen. sherman, and
his views In regard thereto. n Republican report
er called at ms residence last evening and
found the genial old war horse costly ensconced
In his study.
Reporter-General, I have called 10 the hope OF
ascertaining some additional facts pertaining to
tho Beiknap scandal.
bootless erfand. am sure the Republican this
morning contained ell that knew about the
matter aud very much more.
Reporer-Were you very much surprised,
General at the deyelOpments2
Gen. sherman certainly was. did not be-
lieve that Gen. Belknap would be guilty OF such
Heporter-You were aware, were you not. that
his appnintees ~ post traders we're not Of The
highest chardcterY
Gen. Shetman-Certainly. l have received
numerous complaints that the post traders we're
not what they sh Iud pe, and IN { they charged
extortiOnate prices. Whenever officers COM
ulained To me, however. deprecated ahy talk
or trouble, telling them that this matter was be-
ynnd their province, and their best curse.
where a trader did not give Satisfaction, was to
Withdraw their patronage from him. You see,
soldiers are not bound To make purchases OF tho
traders as II supplies that are absolutely ne
cessarv sre furnished them ny the Government.
But soldiers are generally improvdent and reck-
less with their earning. and they will invest n
considerable amount each month in tobacco,
&c., no matter how extortiOnate tue prices. |
had never suspected that Belknap was actuated
by corrupt motives in M king his appointments
but thought that lie selected parties through
considerations of friendship, possibly without
regard To their fitness.
Reporter Iel me, llease, how the appointlye
prerogative came To he transferred from the
Comm ,nder- in-Cnief to the Secretary OF War;
Gen. Sherman 80 Originally that power was
vested In The Secretary OF War but while Presi-
dent Grant WIS COMMANDMENT. Cnief-l think IL
was In 1865 or lo6J-a joint Iesolution of the
Houses OF Congress transferred IL to him. When
! succeeded HIN, OF course IL rested with me.
There was no question about II until, think,
some time in 1870. when received "A letter from
Cot; h1osr'v Savpes pIo,e vest, ssal9s' the
Laramie, stating that he had not been allowed
time To settle his an. irs, anu must suffer great
loss | replied that l had not removed MIR.
Ward. nor mad any knowledge Of his removal.
4 little inquiry developed the fact that Secre-
tary lelknap had, for some unexplained reason,
Oruered the removal.
called Geu. Belkaap's attention to the fact
that the right To make such an order rested sole
~ with me, and reinstated Mr.. Ward. Ii was
not long after that mat the act was passed.
placing the appointing power In the hands OF
the secretary OF Wr. Whether or not Gen.
Belknap was the person VINO secured the pas
sage Of that act, do not know, nut | suppose
he was.
Reportcr-Is Fort sill the most important Of
Gen. Shernlan-Not at all. There are proba-
bly, twenty Others which are fully aa Important,
ana some OF them more so.
Reporter-Not IA bad source OF revenue, Gen
eral.
are all operated under the same system "a Fort
sill. This rs most grtcvous aud dlsgraceful AZ
taf. think 1t the lrst cise ever heard Of
where man 80 hiEa IN Office was guilty OF sell
keporter~Pr esdcn, Grant seems to have been
badly nlisled 'hy Belknap IA tine matter Of the
lattCr's rcsignationf
Gen. sherman Yes. / think they must have
had tut n very hrief conversation. The Presi-
dents prompt acceptance OF the resignation was
Father unfortunate, and will prove more So VI II
shall turn out that this enables Beiknap 20
avoid an INN 'achment trial.
Reporter IL is rumored, General. that the dis
agreement between YOU aud Iielknap was one
OF the causes which led TO the removal OF your
headquarters 10 this city. How Is that?
Gen, sherman-1here IL no truth Ia that. The
fact l., that as the army dwindled lower and
| lower. i concluded that had better get out ri
| Washington, and that would isel more at HON,
here. 80 | came