The daily gazette., 1876-03-03
The BELKNA DISGRACE.
Impo;Chm6n! Resolutions Rushed
Through The House.
The Srcrelary's ReSienaiIo {.
The Bottom Falt- Out in ths
executive Mansion.
Marsh's Disclosures Complete.
A Memorable Day I'm the House of
Representatives.
Marsh's Disclosures Complete.
4 Memorable Day I'm the House of
Representatives.
PRIVATE SECRETARY KEY
RESIGNS.

PRIVATE SECRETARY LUCKEY
RESIGNS.
WASHINGTON, March 2.-The scene
in the House of Representatives this
afternoon, when the report of the Com
mittee on Expenditures in the War
Department was made, was very SOL
cmn and impressive. All day long
throngs of people surge1 in the corri
dors leading to the south wing of the
Capitol, and the galleries of the House
were filled with spectators.
At twenty minutes to four o'clock
the Committee on Expenditures in the
War Department quietly entered the
hall, and Mr.. Clymer and his Demo-
cratic colleagues found seats close
down to the bar of the House on the
right of the Speaker. The instant their
entrance was noted death like still
ness ensued, and quietly and gravely
every member who had been lounging
| in the cloak rooms or standing in the
rear of the seats, found his place. In
expectation of what was to come. Mr..
Wood paused in his speech, and Mr..
Clymer arose and, with the deepest
feeling, asked if his friend from New
Rork would not suspend his remarks
in order that he might have an oppor"
tunity to present report unanimous
)y adopted by his committee, the grave
character of which would, when its
contents were raadc known to the
House. fully warrant the request he
had made. With, if possible, more
than his usual grace, Mr.. Wood yield
ed, and then Mr.. Clymer said that in
view of the haste with which his ic
port had been prepared, he was satis'
fled that the clerk would not be able
to read it, therefore he must beg per-
mission to read it himself. One of his
Republican colleagues on the commit
tee moved that he be requested
to go to the reading clerks desk and
read the report. There being no OBJ
lection, the Speaker requested Mr.. Cly-
mer to come to the desk, which he did,
and in clear, sonorous, and most ad-
mirable manner read his report and the
accompanying resolutions, with all the
evidence and accompanying exhibits
thereto annexed. During the reading
an unbroken silence was maintained.
The effect the disclosures produced
was noticeable in the faces of the mem
bers, but the pen of the most gifted
word painter would fail to present to
the reader any adequate ida of IT..
The reading of the report and evil
dence having baen conclude, Mr..
Clymer, in a neat and appropriate
speech, moved the previous question.
There was decided spirit of opposi-
tion manifested to this on .he Repub-
lican side, and Mr.. Kasson of Iowa
attempted to give a political turn to
the occasion, but the prompt rebuke
which he met at Mr.. Clymer's hands
settled him pretty effectually. But the
completest overthrow was that given
to Mr.. Hoar of Massachusetts by Mr..
Blackburn of Kentucky, one Of the
members of the committee. Mr..
Blackburn's effort is admitted to have
been one OF the happiest that has been
mado in the House for many years.
He met the issue raised by Mr.. Hear us
! to the power of the House to impeach
a civil officer after he has resigned, as
defined in Story's Commentaries On
the Constitution and signally defeated
| him. Mr.. Hoar was wild with rage and
so far forget himself as to claim that
Mr.. Blackburn he'd exceeded his
time. Tho prompt and emphatic
manner in which the Speaker declared
that this was not true sent Mr.. Hoar
back to his seat with stern face. He
subsidized after this, and was not heard
frsn again. Mr.. Kasssn of Iowa made
4 pitiful and lame quasi defence of
Belknap, and appealed to the House to
/ thn I,A Hot
| Committee; but when the question of
ordering the previous question was
put, there were but two or three faint
noes, and ON ordering the main ques-
tion there was not enc solitary nay
heard.
The Sceneat the other end of the avenue
was very different one. At an early
/ hour this morning Secretary Belknap,
accompanied by eI-Attorney C General
| Williams, drove in n close carriage to the
| White House and were closeted with the
President until 20 minutes past 10 O elk.
| There were present at the interview
Boss Shepherd and Secretary Chandler.
Gen. Belknap presented his resignation
and made full confession to the Presi-
dent who promptly accepted the resigna-
nation. After Belknap had concluded
his statement and had departed with
| Cnanuler, tne reSluenU Wrote Il note 10
Mr.. Bass, one of the Republican mem-
bers of the Committee, requesting him
to call at theExecutive Mansion at IL o.
clock. This was sent to the Capitol
! where 1t when it was known the csm-
mittee would meet at half past 10 o'clock
This note was laid before the committee
by Mr.. Bass and went to theWhite House
and the president informed him that
Belknap's resignation had been accept
ed
The object of this is apparent, and need
not be commented upon. But the COM
mittce had in the mean time been infor-
med OF what occurred, and had requested