The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-07-20
THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL.
now EvANs SECURED THE FORT
SILL POST IRA DERsHJP.

SILL POST IRA DERsHJP.
Gen. Bc,lsnap Sending Him to Marsh-Pay-
ina Sf2.317 for the Pesition-The Arsu-
menfs In the Case to be Begun Te-Dsv.
WAsHINoTor, July 19.-The Senate to-
day resumed the consideration of the articles OF
impeachment against W. W. Belknap, late Sec
rotary of War.
John $. Evans was called and sworn.
Mr.. Carpenter, Of counsel for Belknap, said
Evans was now on the stand. II the Managers
desired to examine him they could do so. II
not, the defence would insist upon their making
| proper CONTAMINATION.
Mr.. Manager Mcmahon said the Managers
would claim the right to call out on cross-ex-
animation whatever was legitimate and proper
| In the case.
| After further discussion Mr.. Conkling sub
mitted the following, which was agreed to:
witness Evans IN chief or should they decline to do so,
the respondent may proceed 70 ximne the witness n.
| hun like any other witness.
| Mr.. Evans was then examined by Manager Nc
Mabon, and testified that he had been post
trader at Fort Sill since 1859. He was removed
! on the 9Th Of March last, aud Rice & Byles Of
! st. Louis were appointed in hts place. He
FIRST appointed upon the recommendation Of all
! the officers ut the post. When the law In regard
| to the appointment Of post traders was passed
| he Evans came to Washington to seek reap
nolntment, but the Secretary OF War was in
| keOkuk. He hrst saw the Secretary In that city;
| was introduced to him by Dir. Peck, and had
brief conversation with him; but the Secretary
| said he would not attend to any business until
he returned to Washington. When the secre-
tary returned witness saw him. He said the
papers OF witness were satisfactory, but tina he
| had promised tho post to another person. The
Secretary said he did not know whether that
| he would soon be IN the city aud witness could
see him on the subject. aud might make some
| satisfactory arrangement. Saw Marsh dav or
| two afterward when he came To Washington.
| lie at irst wanted t3nO00 per annum for the
| post, but witness would not paw u. Went to
New YORK with Marsh and he analiy agreed to
take $1,000 for the post. The agreement be-
tween Marsh and Evans was here exhibited and
| identified BY the witness. lie further testified
that Marsh came TO his hotel IN Washington to
see MN on the subject. The total amount paid
TO Marsh up to Nov 30. 1875, was t423l7.oe.
obs the Secretary " war ever address you any
eonmanicatIon in4urlng e You we're to pay Marshp
o.-Iad Mr. Marsh. any capital whatever invested in
your CONCERN Ale had not, cir.
Mr.. Sargent said he would like to know OF tho
Managers II they PROPOSED TO have tho witness
state his conversation with Marsh at the time
the bargain was made. He thought II would be
getting at the truth to have that conversation.
The witness was asked to sive the conversa-
ton. and In repiy said he stated to Marsh that
himself aud partner had invested at Fort sill
sum amounting to $1D0,OO0 and that 1t would be
great loss to them to leave the post. Witness
offered to enter into partnership with Marsh
or sell out to him. He unaefstuod at the time
OF this conversation that the appointment had
not been made, but would be assigned to witt
ness In case he could make an agreement with
Mr.. Marsh.
Mf s Mors IN ,ss The Sns ss s
pected to receive from you2 Allie did not, sir.
BY Mr.. Carpenter-witness say Mr.. Belknap
IN Washington after he returned from keokuk.
and asked Mr. Belknap II he thought he could
nershlp with him. MIR. Belknap Appeared TO
have some sympathy for witness, and SAID he
mens w s hi@. Mr.. BeKnap never fequestsd
witness to see marsh II was In reply TO the
Of r s sas ire BesSnp s az pss s
could see Marsh; who was TO be 70 the city soon:
"a: S Su ns eiS 70 ia KIM
never heard any talk about money being paid TO the
the New YorK Irbuss In 1872.
MIR. Ev ms said he supposed his whole business
as post trader. Indian trader and from Govern
| About one.third OF that amount was derived
from the p5s, tra !, o proper He would not
alone. He made application TO the Secretary OF
| War for permission to Introduce Itouor at the
through the regular military channels. He
never had any indulgence from the Secretary OF
War not common 10 other post traders. When
| he returned TO the post after making he agree
ment with Marsh, he communicated the fact to
| Col. Grierson. commanding The post.
Q-Did you communicate the fact OF having made the
contract with Marsh 10 the secretary Of WH' Al
Q-Aiter you rcturned to Fort sill. and after that
contract made py you aud Asrsa by whlcn you bound
price Of our goods g. &c Tort OBJECTED 70 by the
icon tinued to s.. soods At resscasbe rates AZ the
Tine W., rem va rom he 'rs6ss,sp ,ns was
| Mar cent FOR tue appointment.
| In answer to a question by Mr. McMahon, Mr..
| Evans testified int he could have reduced his
prices more had 1t not been for the pay ment Of
! the $20D for the position.
| Il. b. Crosby, Chief Clerk OF tho War Depart
ment, testified that Gen br!shap, In reply 10
resolution of the House VI Representatives., on
the 2sth OF February last, transmitted TO the
House list OF post tr iders, intending the name
showed that the appointment of Evans was seat
! to &. y. Marsh. He remembered the letter OF
Mr.. Marsh, asking that his ap2ointment be made
| out In the name Of John 5. Evans. He treated
that letter as any other business letter Of the
department. The letter remsined In the de.
partment about four year,, and until the resie-
nation OF Gen. Beiknap. Witness could not re-
member whether he handed the letter to Gen.
! Belknap bv itself when he resigned, or whether
It was In n package Of letters. There were about
| s4O poet "a iders appointed under the new law
Major Gen. W. s. Hancock was sworn. and tes-
tiled that he knew nothing to the discredit Of
Gen Bsiknap rs Secretary Of War prior 10 this
charge
Nj. Carpenter announced that this closed the
case for the defence.
| Mr.. Manager McAahon said thatthe Managers
| had nuthiDg to offer in rebuttal.
Mr. Carpenter asked that some arrangement
be made about summing up the case, and AN
| nouuced That the three counsel for the defence
| desired to be heard.
Mr. MANAGER LOfu suggested tnat tue time Tor
argument be- limited, aud said only two Man
ayers desired to ne heard on the question Of
fact; but II there was To oe an argument as To
the effect of the two thirds vote on the question
| of Jurisdiction. third Manager desired TO be
| head.
Mr.. Carpenter said the counsel for the defence
would argue all there was in the ise, and he re-
| garled tnat as one Of the best points.
MIR. Conkling submitted an order that three
| Managers and three counsel may be heard In
such order AS they may arrange among them
| selves.
hr. Edmunds moved TO amend so To limit
the time Tor argument to six hours for each
| SIDE. Rejected-Yeas, l6; nays, -.
| Tho order Of Mr.. Conkling was then aGreel to,
| aud toe senate, sitting AS a court OF impeAch-
| ment, adjourned until tomorrow.
Timely Warning.
People should be OH their guard against