Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1876-05-04
ONE GUILTY NAN WHO MAY NOT
EsCAPEss

ONE GUILTY NAN WHO MAY NOT
II 10 gratifying TO note that the United
States Grand Jury have presented an
indictment against W. W. Bslknsp. our
late rscreant Secretary Of War. for %
cspting bribes In the performance Of his
public duties. There are grave doubts
In the minds Of many Senators Whistler
Bslknap viii not b able 10 escape an
impeachment trial on purely technical
grounds. Indeed. several. ~ the tel
esraph informed N . few days EGO. have
expressed tho opinion freely that the
position taken by Belknap. denying the
Jurisdiction Of the Senate In his case.
will be sustained by that august body.
and that the impeachment proceedings
will BE- dismissed before . particle OF
evidence ON the main question OF his
guilt IL taken. In that case W. W.
Belknap would stand legally before the
world Is an innocent and much abused
man, sines no person 10 presumed 10 be
guilty until his crime IL proven. Thus
the entire proceedings would be turned
into . huge farce. and the American Re-
public would become the laughing stock
Of the world.
But even suppose the ~impsachment
proceeds and Bslknap Il convicted. In
that case the Senate has the power TO
punish the sx.Sscrstary. But the msss-
ure Of the punishmsnt Is strictly pre-
scribsd BY the Consultation. II extends
only to removal from Office and disqual-
ihcation from ever again holding ONCE
under the United States Government.
VIVA. punishmsnt is that to a man OF
Bslknap's stripe! He cannot be remov-
Cd from Office. for he has already re-
signed. The disqualification amounts
TO nothing. for men Of his kind only
wan. office that they may prostitute Il to
the end Of making money. and hs has al
ready made money enough to last him .
lifetime. He has no further need for
Office. The only punishment would b
the disgrace attached to . conviction;
and he 10 % thoroughly mantled in dis
grace already that an extra cape thrown
around his shoulders would not prove
very embarrassing. 50 far q BsltAap
II concerned. impeachment practically
amounts to nothing. The only good 10
be obtained from 10 would accrue to the
American people. in placing them right
before the world; in showing to the 9TH
or nations that We are prompt to punish
corrupt officials 90 far a. lies in our
power, whenever their corruption IL
made manifest.
But impeachment 10 not enough. The
guilty man himself shouldbs made TO feel
the consequences Of his crime, not aim
ply - q measure Of just rstribution. but
- a warning to others who are subject
70 the sams temptation. Anifortunsts-
ly the constitution. while IL provides for
impeachment, provides also for criminal
indictment and trial either before or after
the Impeachment. Bribery in ONCE 10
made Q crime ~ well ~ = high misds-
msanor BY the United States laws; and
the Punishment for that crime Is impris-
onmsnt for . term Of years. That pun.
ishmsnt should. and probably will. 30
mstsd out to William W. Bslknsp. In
the q. 8. Court he cannot plead . want
Of jurisdiction because he has resigned.
He IL a. amspsble a. private citizen
q hs was % an once holder. He can
NOT asssrt in s1tsnuAtion that Hester
Ciymer promised him immunity II he
would resign; that Immaculate apostle
Of Investigations cannot bind the Su-
prsms Court OF the nation. He can
only plead TO the indictment Ike any
Other criminal. and submit his case to q
jury Of his eountrymsn. Again We say,
and We believe We hut echo the sentiment
Of the whole country. Republicans and
Democrats alike. We arc glad that this
indictment has been presented. There
10 . prospect ut last that at least one
guilty man will not escape.