Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-03-06
GENERAL BELKNAP.
UNDER POLICE SURVEILLANCE.
WARRANT FOR HIS ARREST
IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS.
Other Features of the Case.

Otner Features OF the Case.
About 10 O'Clock yesterday morning Messrs.
Benson and Horrell, OF the Treasury secret
service force, applied to Judge Smell, at his
lodgings on G street, for warrant for the
arrest Of ex-Secretary of War VIM. W. Bel
KNAPP, stating that the paper was only to be
used in case they had reasons to anprehend
that the ex-Secretary would attempt to leave
the city; that the purpose of the government
was to obtain an indictment from the grand
jury, proceedings to obtain which would be
commenced to- day, based on the testimony
taken before the House Investigating Com
mittee. which would be furnished the Dis
trict Attorney by the chairman of that COM
mittee.
WARRANT
was issued In the following form:
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, COUNTY OF
WAsHINGToN, $50 the Marshal ofthe Dis
trict of Columbia, Qreetin0:- Whereas Albert
j. HOrrell hath upon oatn before me, Judge OF
the Police Court OF the District of Columbia
declared that on the 3lst day of December,
Belknap, being then and there an officer OF
the United States, did then and there receive
and accept from one Caleb o. Marsh a large
sum of money, to wit: The sum of two thou
sand dollars, lawful money of the United
States, with the intent to have his decision
and action in certain matter then before
him In his official capacity as said officer OF
the United States, to wit: The matter of the
granting OF certain post leadership at Fort
Sill, Indian Territory, Influenced thereby
again the form OF the statute in such case
made and provided, and against the peace
and government of the United States You
are therefore hereby commanded to take the
said Belknap and bring him before the said
Police Court forthwith TO answer said
Charge.
Witness the Hon. William B. Smell, Judge
r. of the Police Court, and the seal or
q HI 10 4, Inx- 80
ID. 1876. HOWARD l.. PRINCE,
Clerk Police Court, ID. G..
The names of A. j. Horrell Hester CIy-
mer, M. G., and Lyman X. Bass, NJ. c., were
upon the back OF the warrant as witnesses.
THE LAW IN THE CASE.
The warrant was issued under section 5,501
Revised Statutes OF the United States, which
reads: Every officer of the United States,
and every person acting for or on behalf of
the United states, In any official capacity,
under or by virtue OF the authority of any
department or officer Of the government
for or on behalf of either House of Congress-
or OF any committee of either House, or OF
both Houses thereof, who asks, accepts, or
receives any money. or any contract, prom
ise, undertaking, obligation, gratuity or Sc
cdrity for the payment OF money, or for the
delivery or conveyance of anything of value,
with intent to have his decision or action on
any question, matter cause, or proceedings
which may at any time be pending. or which
may be by law brought before him in his off,
cial capacity, or in his place of trust Or
profit, influence thereby, shall be punished
as prescribed In the preceding section" The
punishment prescribed in said section reads:
small De punish ed by fine not more than
or received, and by imprisonment not more
than three years"
THE POLICE IN CHARGE.
Messrs. Benson and Horrell turned the
warrent over to the District Attorney, and
that officer placed 1t in the hands OF Major
Richards, superintendent of the Metropoli-
tan police, about o'clock p. m, with the
suggestion that 1t should not be served until
to-day. Major Richards deemed 1t his duty,
however, TO call on the ex-Secretary and re-
lieve the secret service men who had been
placed In the house, owing to some appre-
hensIon that he (B intended to leave the
city. Taking with him Lieut.. Greer and
three of the officers OF the 4th precinct, Ma
jOr r. called at Mr.. BIS residence about OK
Washburne, OF the Treasury force. there,
with some of the secret service men. After
afew minutes conversation with Mr.. WASH
burne,
GEN. BELKNAP WAS SENT FOR,
and came down, when Mr.. w. introduced
Major Richards, who remarked that he had
a warrant for his arrest, but at the request
of the District Attorney he would not serve
it to- day. In the meantime, however 1t was
bis duty to place an officer In the house, and
officers outside, and he hoped that IL would
not incommode him. Gen. Belknap APP
peared to be much embarrassed, and his APP
pearance showed that he has undergone
great mental suffering. He answered In
very low tone that he would, have TO accept
lne sltuatlon, when Major Richards with
Gen. Babcock called him back, and asked,
"Did L understand you TO say that there was
warrant for my arrest" Major Richards
leaving one officer in the house aud one in
front, and another in the rear, on the out
side.
FURTHER PROCEEDINGS POSTPONED UNTIL
TOMORROW.
About 1 o'clock to day Judge Smell, OF the
Police Court, received a note from District
Attorney Wells. stating that he had been
Informed by ex-senator Carpenter, counsel
for ex-Secretary Belknap, that he was not
ready TO come down with his bail to-day,
ard requesting that the case be allowed TO
stand as il is until TO morrow, which he con-
sented to. Mr.. Belknap is in the custody OF
the officers of the court, and will be held un-
til tomorrow for hearing. The warrant has
not yet been formally served on him. 1t is
understood counsel for Belknap will waive
an examination when he is brought into the
Police Court, and give bail pending the ac-
ton OF The grand jury.
The impeachment Proceedings.
A meeting OF the Senate Impeachment
committee was held Friday night at the
residence of Senator Edmunds, the chair
man, all OF the members being present. There
was discussion as to the right to proceed
with trial after resignation, and from the
expressions Of those present the disposition
was that the committee should not take con-
sideration of this point in the preliminary
arrangements. General Belknap has en-
gagged ex-Attorney General Black, ex-Seua-
tor Carpenter, and Hon. Montgomery Blair
as his counsel and their first move will be to
enter demurrer as to the Jurisdiction OF the
Senate in the case. This will bring the point
at issue directly before the Senate. 1t will
have then to decide as to its Jurisdiction, and
If the decision is in the affirmative then Gen.
Belknap may plead guilty, as he has init
mated he would, or he may choose, with
such eminent counsel, to go on trial and
take his chances.
AT THE CAPITOL To- DAY.
The report OF the committee is noted in our
Senate proceedings to-day.
At half past O'Clock this afternoon the
Judiciary Committee OF the House was still
| In session preparing the Belknap impeach-
ment articles. II IL expected they will re-
| port late this afternoon or early TO- MORO W
morning.