The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1876-03-09

tually restore the writing In the original
manuscript OF the Declaration OF Indpend-
ence. The bill limiting the cost OF the Mem
phis Custom-house to 100000 was passed.
The bill making appropriations for pensions
for the survivors Of the war OF 1872 was dis
cussed at great length and recommitted. A
resolution urging the Secretary Of the Treas
ury to at once commence the issue of silver
fractional currency was offered and re-
ferred.
In the Senate March 2, petitions were
read in favor of the Texas Pacific, provided
American iron is used in its construction |;
and in favor of the repeal of the Bankrupt
Act. Resolutions were passed to print
twelve thousand copies for distribution of
the eulogies on Senator johnson and Vice.
President Wilson. The Pinchback question
was taken up, but again postponed. ... In the
House, a bill was reported appropriating one
hundred and slxty.three thousand dollars to
provide for engraving, printing, and other
States notes, and directing the Secretary OF
the Treasury to issue silver coins OF the
denominations of 10, 20, 20, and 90 cents, in
redemption of an equal amount OF fractional
currency, and to provide for such reduction
until the whole amount OF fractional
currency is redeemed. bill was
passed declaring valid all suspended
entries of public lands in which
the Commissioner of General Land Office
which have been confirmed by the Secretary
of the Interior and Attorney. General. A
bill regulating the planting Of timber Oh
Western prairies was passed. 1t adds to
the existing law provision, that whenever
a party, holding claim under that act, shall
prove that the trees planted and growing
have been destroyed by grasshoppers, the
year or years In which such trees were
destroyed shall not count as working any
forfeiture of rights and privileges con-
ferred by the act, and the time allowed
shall be extended accordingly. A bill for
feiting the lands granted to a railroad west
from Leavenworth, by reason of Limitation
of time, was passed; also, a bill extending
the time OF presumption on public lands two
years. Mr.. Clymer, of Pennsylvania, pre-
sented a resolution of impeachment against
VIM. w. Belknap, 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: 81 ask permission OF the
House to make report from the Commit
tee on Expenditures in the War Department,
OF so great importance that am quite GER
tain that when it is heard this House will
agree that l am justified in asking that
permission at this time" Permission was
given, and Mr.. Clymer, taking his posi-
ton at the Clerks desk, read the report I:
The committee found, at the very threshold
of its investigation, such unquestioned evil
dence of the malfeasance OF Gen. VIM. w.
Belknap, then Secretary of War, that they
found it their duty. to lay the same before
the House. They further report that this
day, at IL o'clock, letter from the Presi-
dent of the United States was presented be-
fore the committee, accepting the resigna-
ton of the Secretary of War, together with
q copy of his letter of resignation, which
the President informed the committee was
accepted about 1920 o'clock this morning.
They, therefore, unanimously report and de-
mand that said VIM. w. Belknap, late Secre-
tary Of War, be dealt with according to the
law of the land, and to that end submit here
with the testimony in the case taken, to-
gether with several statements and exhibits
thereto attached, and also a report of the
proceedings of the committee had during
the investigation on the subject, and submit
the following resolutions:
Resolved, That VIM. w. Belknap, late Secretary OF
War, be impeached Of high crimes and INSIDE
meanors
Kesoiued, That the testimony in the case of VIM.
w. Belknap, late Secretary OF War, be referred To
the Judiciary Committee, with instructions to pre-
pare and report without unnecessary delay, s1ita-
BILE articles OF impeachment OF said VIM. w. Belk-
nap, late Secretary of War.
Resolved, That a committee OF five members Of the
House be appointed, aud instructed to proceed i'm
mediately to the bar OF the Senate and there inn
peach VIM. w. Belknap, late Secretary of War, in
the nameof the people Of the United States, Of high
crimes anu misdemeanors when In Office, and to in
form that body that formal articles Of impeachment
will, In due time, be presented, and to request the
Senate to take such action In the premises they
deem appropriate.
Mr.Clymer then proceeded to read the ties.
timony of Caleb p. Marsh, taken yesterday
before the committee, showing that he had
paid Secretary Belknap about $4,000 in
consideration of his appointment ~ post
trader at Fort Sill, Indian Territory. A de.
bate ensued as to the power of Congress to
impeach an officer after his resignation had
been rendered and accepted. At the close
of the debate the House proceeded to vote
on the resolutions, and they were unani-
mously adopted. The Speaker appointed
as q committee to notify the Senate of
the action of the House, Messrs. Clymer,
Robbins, Blackburn, Bass, and Danford,
these members comprising the Committee
on Expenditures of the War Department,
making the report. The Committee APP
pointed by the Speaker will tomorrow pro-
coed to the Senate Chamber and cOlnmuni.
cate to that body the action of the House.
The Judiciary Committee will also draw up
tomorrow articles of impeachment, and re.
port them to the House. When adopted by
the House, that body will, headed by It's
Speaker and high officers, proceed to the
Senate Chamber and demand the impeach.
ment of Mr.. Belknap. Then the Senate
will, i'll parliamentary phrase, "Take order
for the Impeachment"