The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1876-03-10
Secretary Belknap's Disgrace.

The pc lple of the United States haye be-
come so much accustomed to hear of bribery
and corruption among subordinate officers of
the government at Washington, that I'M hon
est office holder is looked upon rs something
rare Nevertheless, the exposure ofthe guilt
of Gen. W. w. Belknap, Secretary of War, in
Systematically selling appointments for mon
ey, has shocked and mortified every decent
American citizen, and q painful doubt has
arisen US to whether OF not there is one hon
est Federal oflice-holder at Washington. The
rule of law, il seems, should be reversed, and
proves his innocence. The shameful story
of Belknap's fall is briefly this:
In 1870 the family of one c. p. Marsh, of
New York, having shown kind attentions 10
a former wife of Secretary Bclknap, Marsh
was induced by her TO apply to the Secretary
for commission as post trader or storekeep-
eli at Fort Sill, Indian Territory, Mrs. Bel
KNAPP promising to secure the place for him.
An arrangement was made between them
that if Marsh obtained the place he was to
pay to Mrs. Belknap one-half the profits
Application was made and Marsh was APP
pointed.
At this time the place was held by John S.
Evans. The latter learning that Marsh was
appointed in his place, sought an interview
with him, the result of which was that Eavns
remained at the post. The consideration for
which Marsh allowed him to keep the place
was the promise of a payment of $4,000
year to him. This amount was paid by Evans
to Marsh regularly in quarterly installments,
half of which was duly paid to Mrs. Bel
KNAPP.
This lady died shortly after the first pay
ment, and the Secretary married her sister,
Mrs. Bowers. The payments were continued
10 her and to the Secretary himself sub
scquently. In 1872 Evans complained that
$4,000 year was too large for the profits he
made, and by agreement the amount was re-
duced to $4,000 annually, one-half of which,
as before, went to Secretary Belknap. The
amount paid by Evans for the privilege ofre-
tanning the place, amounted in all to $4,000,
the Belknaps share being 100000.
This is the brief outline of the shameful
story. The facts were elected before con-
gressional committee appointed to investigate
expenditures in the War Department of which
Hon. Hester Clymer, of Pennsylvania, was
chairman. Reports duplicating Secretary
Belknap having reached the committee, a
number of witnesses were examined, among
whom was Mr.. Marsh. His story was so
straightforward and frank as to leave no
doubt of the Secretary's guilt. Belllnap was
summoned before the committee, and Marshs
evidence being read to him, he acknowledged
his guilt and begged for mercy. He made
proposition to the committee to make full
confession, provided the evidence concerning
his wives would be suppressed. The COM
mittee, two of whom were Republicans,
unanimously refused to accede to his request.
The examination of Marsh took place on
Tuesday night of last week, but the report
was not made public until Wednesday night.
The next day Secretary Belknap rendered
his resignation to the President, who imme-
diately accepted it with regret" The re-
port of the committee was read in the House,
accompanied by resolutions of impeachment
against William w. Belknap, late Secretary
of War, for high crimes and misdemeanors
in office The report was adopted without
dissenting vote.
A question has arisen as to whether OF not
an officer can be impeached after he resigns.
1t will in all probability be fully dis
cussed when the matter comes up in the
Senate, which will be organized rs high
court OF impeachment.
In the meantime criminal charges have
been preferred against tho Secretary and he
will be indicted by the grand jury and tried
before United States court. The criminal
trial will be entirely independent OF the i'm
parchment proceedings.
A belief was current in Washington that
Belknap was preparing to escape to Bermu-
ta, but if he had SO intended his designs
were frustrated by strict watch which has
been kept upon his premises.
The witness Marsh has escaped to Canada,
under advice of his counsel that he is not pro-
tected by law, but can he arrested con-
victed aud imprisoned for offering bribc.-
There is said to he abundant evidence be-
sides that of Marsh to convict BeIknap, and
in order TO protect witnesses Il bill will he
introduced in Congress
1t is said evidence is accommodating that
this is not the only case in which Belknap
has sold appointments. Under former law
the post traders were appointed by tho o fiji
Ger in charge of the post. Secretary Bel
KNAPP, it is alleged, covcrtly secured change
in the law so as to place their appointments
in his hands, and then set to work industri-
ously to sell them to the highest bidder
General Belknap came to Washington
poor man, but with an honest reputation
His wife was DESTROYS of shining as a star Of
the first magnitude in Washington society,
and the Sccretarys salary was not sufficient
for such display. 1t appears TO be the old
story of Adams and Eve. The woman was
first tempted and then tempted her husband.
They both fell. The world will censurc the
extravigance and worldliness Of the woman,
but it will not therefore excuse the man. His
virtues should have been made of sterner
stuff.
VIcK's FLORAL GUIDE.-The first and second
numbers for 1876 of VieEs Floral GUIDE are
well illustrated, No. containing besides q