Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-03-03
rHEsECRErARY OF wAR1nPEACHED

THE SKCRkrAhI OF a lAkEAChED
There is music in the air about Wash
ington. The Secretary OF War, Wu W
Belknsp, heretofore en- honored anC
trusted official, was impeached yesterday
in the House of Representatives for higl
crimes and misdemeanors in Office, anC
precipitately rendered his resignation
The country might have been slow to be
lieve that one holding such a high trusI
had betrayed it for a stipulated price
paid IN money, aud brought Disgrace anC
humiliation on the American people, i
he had not fed to the Presidential man
sion'like a fugitive from justice an6 ten
dered his portfolio. His conduct is tan
tsmount to a confession Of guilt. He
does not ever claim to be innocent OIL
demand a suspension Of pnblic opinion
or Of the proceeding. For a month OIL
more we have seen vague hints in The
Washington specials that charges of cor
rnptlon we're pending against tho Secre'
rotary of War, and that the committed
we're looking into the affairs Of the dc
pArtment, but we we're not prepared fol
this astounding revelation. For the first
time in our history it mas been proved
aud virtually admitted, that a cabinet
officer peddled out the appoint.
ments within his control for a money
consideration, which seems 10 have
been RENTED regularly for the last
Eve years. Meantime he has enjoyed
the confidence Of the country in a large
degree, and vas above suspicion. The
proof, however, is direct, and the re.
port Of the Committee on Expenditures
in the War Department was 60 explicit
that the resolutions Of impeachment
passed the House yesterday unanimously
Not a single partisan or personal friend
dared to vote in the negative. To-day
the House will adopt articles Of impeach-
meat, and headed by the Speaker and
high officers, proceed in a body to the
Senate chamber and demand the i'm
parchment Of Mr. Belknsp. Then the
Senate will take order for impeachment.
The country would scarcely be more sur
pised IL the President we're impeached.
Mr.. Clymer remarked with great force
Ani esecs yesterday that the late Sec
rsakry Of War Is 5s. > proper ouigroEth
and trss eTpoDest Of the eorrup-
tior, ~srfrETEgsncs AID nisususge-
mani that have c1-sed this land for
ysHrf past Not many weeks ago
mr.. BsIknEp was 3 candidate scr
the United States Senate. and his
failure Of election was not bsesuss Be
did not enjoy the personal respect q
those who controlled the result To-day
he tries to escape punishment on the
ground that be offered and the Presi6sn'
accepted his resignation before the a.
Eiclss Of impeachment were presented.
This il O confession Of weakness and
guilt. Whether he can be impeBrbei
after resIgnisg is Of course pDrely 8
question Of law. There is 8 difersDos
OF opinion on this point. In Eny event.
his owl name viii be exeerEted WhereTei
tsleErsphs reach or papers are READ il
the English lAngnass But the eos !.
not yet There is some rsses6ty behind
this Fort Sill business TIE position b.
has 30 long beld gave bin iBBsnsrsole
opportunities Of making money dis
honestly. snd Ehea FIJI inTesiigs.
tious are made L will probably
involve others as well s. Bslknsp
ia q series Of systematic frsads sgsiBsi
the government. This soe Transaction
began in 1870. bat in all these Eve years.
tie Republicans. having full control Of
both houses of Congress and ell the de
pErtments Of the government, failed u
upearth any fraud IN high places, and
had they retained the majority it 10 90.
likely that this discovery would hay,
been made. And nov he President ap
points a nan who is little, il any. bettei
to discharge the duties Of the Office
Secretary OF the Navy Robson. Mr.
Whitthorne's committee has exposed
gross abuses in the Navy Department
although be may not have traced abso
lutte corruption to the head Of the de
p%artuent. Yet it has existed aud fai
tened under his nose for years aud tn
government has been dsirsuded out O
millions Of dollars by favorite contraC
tors and agents. Whether these secure
their places in the manner that Mars
secured aud held his appointment a
trader at Fort Sill or not, the chances al
they understood the art Of making then
selves agreeable. The President seem
70 have forgotten the words, Let n
guilty man escape" which cost b
friends so much trouble. 1t was a ver
hasty and singular proceeding to scceI
the resignation Of q confessed crimin.
and let him have a chance TO get ava.
We are reminded again Of the grea. {
forts made by the administration 70 ele'
Babcock, and With a certain degree
success. But this is such a plain ca
that the psrty which has sheltered
many rsscals viii have to hold mp !
hands, and pretend 10 be shocked at Il
sight Of so much rottenness In hii
places. 1t will be impossible to make
martyr Of him in any sense, and "