The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-03-10
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BELKNAp'S FALL.
THE SECRETARY OF WAR IMPEACHED BY
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.


thing else but sincere sorrow that one who
was yesterday so high has been brought to-
day so low through his own dishonesty and
petty cupidity and utter disregard for the
most solemn obligations of honor and good
conscience. The long sigh OF relief at the
acquttal of the Presidents private secrcta-
ry of the charge of completely with the
whisky ring, was interrupted by revelations
showing that one equally trusted, and more
highly honored by the President, had been
guilty for years of the most corrupt practices
and the suspicious and fears that were parti-
ally lulled by the acquittal of the one have
been famed to stronger heat by the convict
ion of the other, and men, looking at each
other, inquire curiously: "Where Will thls
eud?" "Who, then is innocent2 What
greater measure of disgrace is yet to be
beaped upon the nation? %
The committee, headed by Hon. Hester
Clymer, have been investigating Belknap's
case for some time, but so quietly was their
work performed that when it was brought
before the House with all its conclusive
evidence, it came upon the nation like a
thunderbolt. 1t seems that for years, the
Secretary of War has been peddling Out
positions to Indian traders on the frontier
from one receiving as high as twelve thous-
and dollars per annnm. When Belknap
learned of the investigation. he Immediately
rendered his resignation to the President
who accepted it with remarkable prompt
ness. We give below portion of the evil
dence on which the case is based.
MARsHs STATEMENT.
In the summer of 1870 myself and wife
spent some weeks at Long Branch, and on
our return to New York Mrs. Belknap and
Mrs. Bower, by our invitation, came for a
visit TO our house. Mrs. Belknap was i'll dur
ing this visit some three or four weeks, and
| | suppose in consequence of our kindness to
her she felt under some obligations, for she
asked me one day, in the course of conver-
sation why did not apply for a post-trader-
ship on the frontier. | asked what they
were. and was told that they were, mary OF
them, very lucrative offices or posts in the
gift of the Secretary of War, and that if |
wanted one she would ask the Secretary for
one for me. Upon my replying that | thought
such offices belonged to disabled soldiers,
and, besides that | was without political in
fuence she answered that politicians got
such places, &c. do not remember saying
that if | had q valuable post of that kind
that | would remember her, but do remem-
Der her saying something like this "If
can prevail upon the Secretary of War to
laward you post, you must be careful to
say nothing to him about presents, for q
man once offered him $4,000 for a trader
ship of this kind and he told him that if he
did not leave the Office he would kick him
down stairs" Remembering as | do this
story, presume the antecedent statement
to be correct Mrs. Belknap and Mrs. Bow
er returned to Washington, and few weeks
thereafter Mrs. Belinap sent me word to
come over. | did so. She then told me
that the post-tradership at Fort Sill was
vacant, that it was n valuable post rs she
understood, and that she had either asked
for it for me or had prevailed upon the Sec
retary of War to agree to give it to me. AT
all events, called upon the Secretary, and
as near as can remember, made application
for this post on regular printed form. The
Secretary said he would appoint me if
could bring proper recommendatory letters,
and this said | could do
MRS. BELKNAP'S OFFER.
Either Mrs. Beknap or the Secretary
told me that the present trader at the post
John S. Evans, was an applicant for reap
pointment, and that | had better see him
he being in the city,, as it would not be
fair to turn him out of office without some
notice, as he would lose largely on his build
ings, merchandise &C., if the Office was tax
en- from him, and that it would be proper
and. just for me to make some arrangement
with him for the purchase if / wished to
run the post myself. / saw Evans, and
found him alarmed at the prospect of losing
the place. | remember that he said that 4
firm of Western post traders, who claimed
| Il 1na 1,Nf ;YI, ,,,,. 4lo
of War; had promised to have him appoint
ed, but he found, on coming to Washington
this firm to be entirely without influence. Mr.
Evans first proposed a partnership, which
declined, and then a bonus of certain
portion of the profits if | would allow hin
to hold the position and continue the bust
ness. We finally agreed upon fifteen thous
and dollars per year. Mr.. Evans and mysel
went on to New York together, where the
contract was made and executed, which il
herewith submitted During our trip over
however, Mr. Evans saw something in thu
army and Nary Journal which led him t.
! think that some of the troops were to b,
removed from the fort, and that he had offer
ed too large sum, and before the contrac
was drawn it was reduced by agreement t,
$4,000, the same being payable quarterl,
in advance. When the first remittanc
came to me, say probably in November
, 1870, | sent one half thereof to Mrs Bek
nap, either, presume, by certificate of de
posit or bank notes by express.
Being in Washington at a funeral SOM
weeks after this | had a conversation will
Mrs. Bower to the following purport, as ia
as | can now remember, but must say tina
Just here my memory is exceedingly indis
tinct, and Judge in part perhaps from wha
| fpllnma1 os tn tha 1afnill of tba 10,
| went up stairs in the nursery with Mrs
Bower, to see the baby. | said to her, thi
. child will have money coming to it befor
a great while She said yes. The mothe
gave the child to me and told me that tn
c money coming from me she must take an
- keep for it, | said all right, and it seems t
me | said that perhaps the father ought
> | be consulted. | say it seems so, and yet
i can give no reason for it, for, as ! knew tn
! father knew nothing of any money tran,
: actions between the mother and myself
4 | have a faint recollection of n remar
of Mrs. Bower that if ! sent the none
u to the father, that it belonged to her, an
$ that she would get it any way. | certainl
}, had some understanding then, or subs
n quently, with her or him, for when II
next payment came due and was paiC
! | sent one-half thereof to the Secretary
> war, ana nave continued substantial
s. from that day forward to the present tin
l. to do the same. About, | should say, OF
% and a-haf to two years after the commence
= ment ofthese payments Ireduced the amour
l. to $4,000 per annum.
u Belknap has retained Hon j, S. Blac
Montgomery Blair, and Matt. Carpenter
" his counsel to defend him before the Senat
sitting as a court of impeachment. It
y rumored that other high officers are like
to be impeached in similar crimes before tn
~ affair ends.
IL THE NEW SECRETARY 0E WAR