The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1876-03-09
SECRETARY RELKNAP.

/
A week ago to day, the nation va.
shocked By the announcement Of the
disgrace Of Gen. VIM W. Belknap
Secretary Of war. All hope entertain;
ed BY some, that the report was largely
sensational, was dissipated on reading
the evidence Of Mr.. Marsh. The story
is both painful and shameful. In 1870
the vile Of Sec, Belknap secured the
position Of post trader, At Fort Sill in
the Indian Territory, to one G. P.
Marsh. When Marsh went to Wash.
ing,op to see Sec. Belknap in regard
to it, the Sec. told him that the pres
ent incumbent, = Mr.. Evans; was in
the city and was an applicant for reap
pointment, and that Marsh, as matter
Of courtesy, had better see him. Marsh
found Evans very much exercised
about loosiug his position and, after
some talk. it was agreed that Evans
should hold the post aud continue the
business by paying Marsh $4,000 a
year, This arrangement hss been
carried out to the present time. except
that, after two years, the yearly sum to
be paid was reduced to $4,000. In
response to . hint from Mrs. Belknap,
Marsh paid one half Of the money, he
received from Evans, to her as long as
she lived, = little more than one year
and since her death has paid it, rcgu-
'arly, to Secretary Belkuap himself:
Marsh has received, 10 all, about $4O,-
600 aud paid to Sec. Belknap and
wife about $4,000. This is the sub.
stance of the story as developed by the
House committee on expenditures 10
the War Dep" rtment. The Secretary
offered his resignation, immediately,
and it was, Immediately, accepted.
lie has been impeached by the House
aud will doubtless be indicted by the
grand jury. The law, which Gen
Belknap his violated, reads as follows I:
SEC 1881. Every member of con.
gress, or any officer or agent Of the
government, who directly or Indirectly
takes, receives, or agrees to receive
any money, property, or valuable con-
sideration' whatever from any person
for securing or aiding to procure any
con'ract or Office or place of the gov.
ernment; or Any other department
thereof, from any off ,cr Of the United
States, for any person whatever, or for
giving any such contract, office or
place whomsoever, and every person
who: directly or indirectly, offers or
Agrees to give, or, gives or bestows.
any money, property, other valuables
considerations whatever for procuring,
or aiding to procure, any such contract,
Office or place, aud every member Of
congress who directly or indirectly
takes, receives, or agrees to receive
any money, property, or other valuable
coosidetslio whatever, after his elec-
,ioo as such meuber, for his attention,
services, action, vote or decision on
any question, cause or proceeding
which may de pending, or may by law,
or under the constitution, be brought
upon him 10 his otiioial capacity or in
his place as such render Of congress,
shall be imprisoned not more than two
years and fned no. more than $40, 900,
and any such contract or agreement
may At the option Of tho president, be
declared absolutely null and void, and
aoy member Of congress or officer con-
vic.ed Of = violation Of this section
shall moreover be disqualified from
holding any office Of honor, profit or
trust under the government Of the
United States.
The fall Of Gen. Bclknap seems to
have been surprise, even at Wash
ington, and has produced a great SEN
sation. Changes, Of 3 similar kind
against government officers, have been
common but, usually, trumped up. In
this case the accompanying evidence
was conclusive aud no one thought OF
doubling the truth of the charge.
There is a universal feeling Of national
disgrace, on account Of it. which sub
sequeut disclosures have deepened.
It is becoming evident that Fort Sill is
not the only place where Post trader.
ship has been sold.
The President has appointed Rich
ard H. Dana, Of Massachusetts,. Minis.
ter to England. vice Gen. schenck
resigned.
Gen. Bclknap's successor, in the
War department, had not been.
appointed on Tuesday. @
Wisconsin and Iowa have appropri.
ated $20, 900, each. for centennial pur.
poses.
5sE al ..
FRAUDS IN PENSIONS Senator
ingalls,, Of Kansas, in : recent debate
10 the Senate, on the pension bill,
reneate6 the sfafement An which the