The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-03-08
PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSE.
RELKNAP,S CASE.


THE BIee EST DAYS WORK OF THE SESSION
--REsoLUTIoNs FOR THE IMPEACHMENT
OF BELKNAP ofFERED-A LENGTHY DE-
BATE ON rs IMPEACHABILITY THE
REsoLUTIoNA ADOPTED WITHOUT DISSENT.
At the cloSe of Mr.. Woods speech, and
without action on the bill, the committee
rose, and Mr.. ClyIner, OF Pa, presented
resolution of impeachment against MD.
w. BelErsp, late secretary OF war, Tor
high crimes and misdemeanors In
office. In the midst of great excitement
and with unusual stiffness in the House,
Mr.. Clymer rose and said: / ask permits
sion OF the House to make report from
the committee on expenditures In the war
department Of so grave Importance that L
am quite certain that when 1t Is heard tbs
House will agree that l am just ned in
asking that permission a. this time. Per-
mission was given and Mr.. Clymer, taking
his position at the Clerks desk,
READ THE FOLLOWING REPORT:
TIE committee found at the very
threshold OF its investigation such unques-
toned evidence Of mslfeasauce of Gen.
VIM. W. Belknap. then secretary of war,
that they found it their duty to lay the
same before the House. They further re-
port thai this day, al III o'clock, letter OF
the president of the United States was pre-
sented to the committee accepting the res.
iepstlon OF the secretary of war, together
with COPY Of his letter of resignation,
which the president informed the commit
tee was accepted. About 1920 this
morning, they therefore unanimously
agreed to report and demand that the said
VIM. w. Belknsp. late secretary OF war,
be deaf with according TO toe law OF the
la.d To thatend the V submit herewith the
testimony taken in the case, together with
the several statements and exhibits thereto
sitac-ed, and also are part of the proceed
ings of the committee had during the in
vestigstion Of this subject, and submit the
following resolutions:
Resolved, That VIM. W. Belknsp, late
secretary OF war, be impeached OF high
crimes and misdemeanorS.
Resolved, That the testimony In the case
of VIM. w. Belknsp, late secretary of war,
be referred to the judiciary committee
with Instructions to prepare and report,
without unnecessary delay, suitable
articles Of impeachment of the said Will
liam w. Belknap. late secretary of war.
Resolved, That committee OF FIVE me m
bers of tbe House be appointed and III
structed to proceed Immediately to tbs bar
of the Senate and there i'm
peach William w. Belknsp, lase
secretary of war, IN tae name of the peo-
pie of the United STATS, of high crimes
and misdemeanors when in office, and to
inform that body that formal articles OF
sented, and to request the Senate to take
such order in the premisss as they desm
appropriate.
Mr.. Clymer then proceeded to read the
TESTIMONY OF CALEB P. MARSH,
taken yesterday before the committee,
showing that he bad paid Secretary Bel
knap.about $4,000 in cor sideration Of his
appointment as post trader at Fort Sill,
or
to with intense interest by the members
of the House and by the large audience in
the galleries. In the mere
pathetic portions Of the narrative,
Clymer was frequently forced By his feel
ings to pause until his voice recovered
from its tremulousness and himself from
his agitation. At the close of tue reading,
and after many members, who bad taken
up a position nt ar the clerks desk the be-
ter to hear the testimony and accompany
ing statements, had returned to their
proper seats, Mr.. Clymer, who bad also
gone to his seat, again rose and said, with
not If could, and 1 could
not in my present condition, If would,
add anything to the facts just reported to
the House. Another occasion msy be af-
forded me to do the one so plainly that
everywhere throughout this broad land
and throughout christendom, wherever
they will Tor long years constitute record
of official corruption and crimes, such as
there is no para,l for in our own history
or in that of any country that know OF.
At this hour, if
ONE SENTIMENT OF PITY,
one word OF sympathy could ind utter
ancs from me it would be because L feel
that the late secretary of war is but the
proper outgrowth, the true exponent of
the corruption, extravaganza and the mis-
government that have cursed this land for
years past. That being my own reflection,
will but discharge my duty to myself and
this House by demanding the previous
question on the adoption of the resolution.
Mr.. Kssson, OF Ia, appealed to Mr..
Clymer to give an opportunity for some
suggestions to be made before asking for
the previous question on q matter of so
grave importance.
Mr.. Clymer regretted that he could not
oblige his friend several democratic MEM
bers-yes, yes,) and tor the reason that
his colleagues on the committee desired to
be heard.
After the previous question was sec
onded, Mr.. Kass0n said: Allow me to say
that there will not be the slightest opposi-
ton to their being ali heard.
Mr.. C;ymer-I decline to yield and de-
msnd the previous question.
Mr.. kssson-Does the gentleman ex-
pect he House tonight, after five O'Clock
and wi, bout this report being printed, to
vote on these resolutions, when even the
impeacbsbility OF the eff GER at present is a
point to be considered by the House?
Mr.. Clymer-After the previous ques-
ton has been ordered, wnl vie Id bali the
hour to members OF the committee who
are on the other side OF the House.
After some further discussion, the pre-
vious question was seconded aud M Civ
mer yielded the door to his colleague on
the committee, Mr.. Robbins.
Mr.. Robbins pleaded his mental and
physical exhaustion from his continuous
service on the committee as reason why
he should not address the House az any
Ian. IA racalrsa 1.ffk h. II Knrc II