The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-03-09

the mother and myself. have faint
recollection of remark of Mrs. Bow
ers. that if sent money to the father
1t belonged to her, and that she would
get it any way. | certainly had some
understanding then or subsequently,,
with her or him, for when the pay
ment came due aud was paid, sent
one-half thereof to the Secretary of
War, and have continued substantially
from that day forward to the present
time, to do tho same thing. should
say from one and half to two years
after the commencement OF these pay
ments reduced the amount to 5000
per annum.
The reason Of this reduction was
partly because of the combined COM
plants on the part of Evans, and part
ly, so far as now remember, in COLI
sequence of an article in the ncwspa-
pers about that time, rejecting to the
injustice done to soldiers at this post,
caused by the exorbitant charges
made necessary on the part OF the
traders by reason of the payment OF
this bonus.
To the best of my knowledge and
belief, the above is a true statement of
all the facts in the case, and as COM
of so many years ago.
On the day following the House
Committee formally impeached the
Secretary at the bar of the United
States Senate, giving notice that the
charges would be forthcoming, with
proofs, at an early day.
Belknap kept close to his residence
and refused to make any explanation.
The President appointed Secretary
Robson to act as Secretary of War
for the present, and that gentleman
entered upon the duties of the office
last Saturday morning.
The whole matter is one of extreme
modification to the whole country.
For one we are sorry, indignant and
respondent. 1t would seem that the
corruption of the New York Tamany
Democrats was even laying hold upon
some members of the Republican
party.
The President stated to the Cabinet
that while he could take no steps
which might look like the persecution
Of any one, he had determined not to
shrink from the responsibility that
rested upon him, and he therefore
asked the Attorney General to take
immediate steps to proceed with the
criminal charges against Gen. Belknap
and Messrs. Marsh and Tomlinson, and
all others shown by any evidence that
shall be adduced to have part, or in
any manner participated in the fraud
ulent transactions. On that, which
was the subject of attention in the de-
termination of the President, there
were full expressions of opinion, IA
voring cuch action as he had deter
mined upon, without delay.
The peculiar character of the case of
Gen. Belknap's offense, differing in
many respects, as it does, from an or
binary case of bribery, was subject
of comment and discussion, the result
of which was the reference of the en-
tire matter to the Attorney General,
who will take steps to enter criminal
proceedings just as soon as the facts
can be put in shape to be sworn to.
AS part of the discussion, it is
mentioned that there should be no de-
lay in the proceedings because of an
impeachment trial. The two trials
will be entirely independent of each
other. Attorney General Pierrepont
remained at the executive mansion for
a short time after the other Cabinet
officers had gone to their respective
Departments, for the purpose ofgetting
what facts the President might be in
possession of, in accordance with the
determination to commence immedi-
ately the proceedings under his charge.