Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1876-03-09
Startling Disclosures Of Bribery.
SELLING FRONTIER APPOINTMENTS.

startling sensation which has come over
the capital city for many day was the
disclosure this morning Of the deplora~
BILE conduct Of the Secretary Of War.
When the news was first bruited about
it found few believers, and it was not
until the fact became known definitely
that Gen. Belknap had resigned that ii
was relied upon For several years past.
rumors have been floating around the
atmosphere Of Washington to the effect
that the Secretary of War had sold for
money consideration sutlerships and post
traderships. Publications on the same
subject had been made in the partisan
press. As far back as two years New
York sensational journal printed de-
tailed statement of military posts at
which it was alleged Secretary Belknap
had sold the right to trade. The Secre-
tary and his friends spoke conremptu-
ously OF these charges, characterized
them as false and culunnious. and made
for political objects Such was IN real
ity the public impression, for even III
these degenerate days it was thought
scarcely within the range Of possibility
that cabinet officer would engage in
such transactions.
About The beginning of this year the
committee on the expenditures of the
War Department had its attention di>
rected anew to these stories, and il was
resolved to Investigate the truth or
fals:ty of the same. When the com
nittee undertook this work they were
not at all satisfied that there was any
| foundation for the statements. They
notified the Secretary of War that they
proposed TO make the examination, but
he did not condescend to pay any atten
| ton TO their communication. The Com.
mittee summoned number Of witness.
es, but most if not all of them had no
personal knowledge Of the matters in
qu;red into Finally Mr. Marsh, who
! had the post at Fort Sill in the Indian
territory, was brought before the com
mittee. He was one who, it was al
! legged. had paid a Available consideration.
The committe had difficulty in getting
hold Of Mr.. ;a-55a-sfsh. He at first rstused
TO come, and secreted himself, and was
finally brought here from New York in
the custody of q deputy sergeantat-
arms.
Mr. Marsh testified that he had paid
the late Mrs. Belknap, and after her
death to the secretary himself, from
$4,000 to $4,000 annually since $50
for the appointment Of post-trader at Fl
Sill The first money was paid and also
the annual installments.
THE SECRETARY BEFORE THE COMMITTEE.
With the evidence in their possession
the committee summoned Gen. Belknap
before them. He appeared yesterday
accompanied by Mr.. Montgomery Blair
as his counsel. The evidence of Marsh
was read to him and he did not deny it,
but on the contrary admitted its truth
HIS RESIGNATION.
Gen. Belknap of course knew after
his interview with the committee that
the facts of his guilt would all be made
known to the world to-day, and that
the resolution for his impeachment woul
be presented in the House This morn~
ing he went to the War Department at
the usual hour, but remained only few
inmates He then walked over to the
w bite House and immediately went up
stairs to the Presidents Office, informed
him of what he had done and handed
him his esignation.
NIX
The President was so much distur-
bed in his mind that he declined to
receive any visitors, and spent most of
the day i'll walking around the streets
A prominent republican Senator said to
him that he ought not to have allowed
Mr.. Belknap to resign that it would
result iljuriously to the Republican
party. He replied that he did not
know it was so bad at the time he ac-
cepted the resignation.
1t is said that at least FIVE other
prominent officials of the War Depart
ment will be discovered to have been
engaged in improper transactions.
TIE INVESTIGATION.
Tuesday, Feb. 20, 1S76.-The COM
mltlee met at 1890 A. NJ, present
Messrs. Clymer, Blackburn and Rob-
b;ason. Mr.. Caleb p. Marsh, one of
the Witnesses ordered to be subpened
by the committee, being present, was
duly sworn according to law.
Question by the Chairman-Where
do you resides
Answer reside at No. 80 West
Fifty-seyenth street, New York. Have
resided in New York about eight years
Question by the Chairman. = Where
you or not appointed OF rendered an
appointment as a post trader at Fort
Sill, Indian Territory, in the fall Of
1870 by the Secretary of War; if SO
under what circumstances was said
appointment secured to you; state also
if you were commissioned by the sec
rotary as such post trader, or if not,
who was SO commissioned and if any
other person than yourself was SO com
missioued give his name, the reason
why lie was SO commissioned; if any
agreement was made between you and
the appointee state it, or produce tiff
in writing and was such agreement
made with The knowledge Of the Sec.
rotary of War, and state the circum
stances connected with the making of
that agreement, and all The transactions
il, detail hereunder fully and particulars