Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-03-08
Long Session Of the Cabinet ON
the Subject.
At Which It II Decided to Com.
naence Criminal Proceed
ings Against Bellknap.
T0mlinsOm and
Marsh.
ALI Post Traders to he Sum.
moned Befere Clymer's
COummit1ee.
Congress- Making Preparation
to Proceed with the Inn
parchment Trial.

members present, and remained in
session until after O'Clock p. m.
The subjects that received consider
alton were the institution Of criminal
proceedings against cN-Secrctary
Belknap and those who were asso-
ciated with him in the practices of
bribery and corruption. that have lust
been officially discovered.
The President stated to the Cabinet
that, while no could take no steps
which would look like the prosecll-
ton of any one, he had determined
not to shrink from the responsibility
that rested upon him. lie therefore
asked the Attorney General to take
immediate steps to proceed with
criminal charges against Mcssrs Bel
KNAPP, Marsh and Tomlinson, and all
others shown by any evidence that
shall be adduccd. to have had part
! in these fearful transactions. that
were subject Of attention.
Upon this determination of the
President there We're full and
thorough expressions Of opinion fav-
oring such action as the President
had determined upon, without delay.
The peculiar character Of the case
of Belknap's offense, differing in
many respects as it does from an or
binary case of bribery, was the SUBJ
ject Of eminent discussion, the result
of which was the reference Of the en-
tire matter to the Attorney General,
who will take the necessary steps To
enter criminal proceedings just as
soon as the facts can be put in shape
to be sworn to. As part Of the dis
cussion, it is mentioned that there
should be no delay in the proceedings
because Of the progress of an i'm
parchment trial. The two trials will
he entirely independent of each
other. Judge Pierrepont remained
at the Executive Mansion for n short
time after the other Cabinet officers
had gone to their respective depart
ments for the purpose of getting
what facts the President might be
possessed Of, ip acceptance with a
determination to commence immedi-
ately, the proceedings npder his
charge.
The discussion relative to the ap-
pointment of a successor to Secretary
Bclknap, was OF considerable length.
but no ~decision was arrived at and
there will probably be another Cabi-
net session about it. Assurance is
given that the person who will be APP
pointed to the Office will be man Of
high character and known position.
CHICAGO, March 3.-Thc Journals
Washington special says: A nights
reflection has intensified the feeling
over Bclknap's case. The excitement
is equal, if not greater than il was
yesterday. Republicans arc begin
ing TO realize fully tile disgrace TO
which they have been Subjected
There is no disposition TO evade the
position in which Bclknap has placed
the party and the administration
Many of the Democratic members ex-
press regret at the action of Clymer,
in pushing through the resolutions of
impeachment Eithp4t atfording time
for debate and consideration. They
condemn his course on party grounds
and say that a little delay would
undoubtedly have led some of the
Republicans To- resist AF oppose the
resolutions and then tho Republican
party would have 10 assume the re-
srnnsibility Of snch opposition. ely
mcrs's idea was, however, that no de-
bate would force The Republicans in
10 the position Of opposition, which
wonld place them at the mercy Of the
Democrats. As the resnlt showed
Mr.. Clymcr was mistaken and Inc
opposition aid moi rali info Tie trap
o. o. ! manifest mantle IT, lIssl on tie RepM9li-
the question open o few days the
Democrats might have made more
capital for their party, but they threw
away their chance and now realize
The fact and blame Clymcr for his
hasty arlInh. .
The committee on expenditures Of
the War Department, have decided TO
summon all the post traders in the
wosl, hefaYe lhrm, in expectation of
unsarthing more eqrrHttion. II is
a current rnmor that the committee
Lqrc got on Track Of evidence impli-
eating . prominent western Senator
in the sale of pnc Of these traderships
b4t The members Of the committee de-
elmo to say il il is lrle az not.
The following statement is believed
10 nc authoritative lfcsldcnt Cirant
said last night that he was not aware
afthf fact ilai Gen. Helknap's official
conduct was lhe sHhifci of inyesiiga-
tion by the committee OF Congress,
and furthermore was moi advised Of
the extent Of the offences Of the Sec
rotary when he accepted his letter Of
resignation, OF the terms Of his letter
Of acceptance would have been very
different from what they we've.
The manner Of the Secretary of
War yesterday when approached by
the President, was confused and in
coherent, SO much so that the Presi-
dent did not understand his meaning
and Was inclined to the belief that
the conduct of the Secretary of War
was less criminal than the testimony
before the House committee shows
him To be.