The New York herald., 1876-03-03
THE SUBJECT IN CONGRESS.

THE SUBJECT IN CONGRESS-.
REPORT OF THE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE
RESOLUTIONS OF IMPEAcHMENr-DIscUssI
ON THE EFFECT OF THE REsGGSATIoN-ULTI-
MATE ACTION OF THE HOUSE.
WAsHINGroS. March 2, 1876
In the House OF Representatives to-day Mr. Clymer,
of Pennsylvania presented resolutions of impeach-
ment against William W. Belknap, late Secretary OF
War for high crimes and misdemeanors in Office. In
the midst of great excitement and with an unusual
stiffness in the House Mr. Cymer rose and said:-
MR.. CLYAER's REPORT.
ask PERMISSION OF the House to make report
from the Committee Expenditures in the War De
partment of grave importance that | am quite GER
tain that when II is heard this House VIII agree that
am justified in asking that permission at this time.
Permission was given, and Mr. Clymer, taking his
position at the Clerks desk, read the following re-
port
ycstgaton such unquestoned evidence OF the NAL
feasance Of General William W. Beknap, then Secre-
tary War that they found to be their duty to la
the same before the House They further report that
this day eleven O'Clock letter OF the President
Of the United States was presented to the committee
accepting the resignation of the Secretary OF War,
together with copy OF his letter or resignation which,
the President informed the committee, was accepted
about twenty minutes past ten this morning. They
therefore unanimously report and demand that the
said William w. Belknap, late Secretary OF War, be
dealt with according to the law land and that
end submit herewith the testimony in the taken.
| together with the several statements and exhibits
thereto attached and also receipt of the proceedings
OF the committee had during the investigation OF this
! subject and submit the following resolutions
RESOLUTIONS OF IMPEACHMENT
! Resolved, That William W. Beknap, late Secretary
OF War, be impeached OF nigh crimes and msdemean-
Resolved, That the testimony in the case OF w. W.
Belknap, late Secretary OF War, be referred to the
Judiciary Committee, with instructions 10 prepare and
report without unnecessary delay, suitable articles OF
impeachment of said W. W. Belknap. late Secretary OF
Resolved That committee of five members OF the
House be appointed and instructed TO proceed imIne
diately to the Bar Of the Senate and there impeach
william w Belknap, late Secretary OF War in the name
of the people OF the United States, OF high crimes and
msdemeanors when u Office, and to inform that body
that formal articles of impeachment will IN due time be
presented and to request the Senate TO take such order
in the premises as they may deem appropriate.
Mr. Clymer then proceeded read the testimony OF
Caleb Marsh taken yesterday before the committee,
showing that he had paid Secretary Belknap about
500 600 in consideration OF his appointment post
trader at Fort sill, !. T.
The reading was listened 10 with intense interest by
the members of the House and by large audience
in the galleries. In the more pathetic portions of
the narrative Mr. Clymer was frequently forced by
his feelings TO pause until his voice recovered from
its tremuousncss and himself from his agitation. At
the close of the reading, aud after the many members
who had taken up positions the Clerks desk the
better to hear the testimony and accompanying
ments had returned TO their seats Nr. Clymer who
had also gone to his seat, again and said, with
great emotion:-
REMARKS cLyxER
Mr. Speaker l would not If could, and could not in
my present condition If would. add anything to the
facts lust reported the House. Another occasion
may be afforded me to do so. They are so plain that
everywhere throughout this broad land and
throughout Christendom, wherever the English
language Is read spoken, they will for long
wears constitute a record of official corruption and
crime such as there parallel for in our his
tory or that of any other country that know OF IL
in this hour sentiment OF pity one word OF SYM
pathy could find utterance from 1t would be because
feel that the late Secretary OF War but the proper
outgrowth the true exponent of the corruption. the
extravaganza, the misgovernment that have cursed
this land for years past That being my reflection
| will discharge my duty best to myself and to this
House by demanding the previous question on the
adoption of the resolution.
MT KAssoS, rep) OF Iowa. appealed to Mr.. Clymer
to give an opportunity for some suggestions to be
made before asking the previous question on a matter
OF so grave Importance.
Mr. CLYMER regretted that he could not oblige his
friend-(scveral democratic members Eyes yesl'0 -
and for the that his colleagues the commit
tee desired to be heard hereafter The previous ques
ton was seconded.
Mr. KAssoS-AIlow Inc TO say that there will not be
the slightest opposition to their being all heard.
Mr CLlmR-I decline to yield aud demand the pre-
vious question.
Mr KAssoS-Docs the gentleman expect the House
tonght. after FIVE O'Clock, and without this report
being printed TO vote on these resolutions when even
the mpeachablty the officer at present is a point
to be considered by the HouseY
Mr CLYMER-Aher the previous question has been
ordered will yield half the hour to the members OF
the committee tho tho other side OF tho House.
Alter some further discussion the previous question
was seconded, and Mr. Clymer yielded the floor TO
his colleague on the committee Mr. Robbins, of North
Carolina.
Mir. RoBnISs pleaded his mental and physical Il
haustion from his service on tue committee
as the why he should address the House at
any length. He spoke OF the report us presenting
case OF great shame and disgrace all American cit
zens As 10 the question OF the impeachabilty OF an
officer who had resigned he prepared to speak
worthy, except to suggest that 1t could not be
that ofcer who was being investigated and who
had been found by evidence to be a criminal could
Zee from justice. He alluded to what he called
THE UNsEENLY ACCEPTANCE
of Secretary Beknaps resignation and referred to the
English cases of Warren Hastings and Lord Francis
Bacon, both of whom had been impeached AFTER they
had ceased TO hold Offices in which they committed
crimes and misdemeanors.
Mr. BASS (rep.l Of n. Y, another membes "a lbe
committee questioned the statement OF tsr sati a:an
br. Clymer) to this case having no pa, si .,id
that he would not have to leave his borders BE-
order TO find not only parallel for it, br hat be cDu
find compared with which this case Was "a whit,
the driven snow lie admitted that mere state.
ment OF tins case as presented by the tern.ony vas
sufficient to justify every member vote the reao
utions presented.
Mr.. LAMAR, dem. Of Miss inquired Of NJ BASS hisI
opinion TO the impeaehability OF resigned occer
Mr.. Bass replied that the English authorties sccinel
10 maintain the jurisdiction OF impeachment 10 sRch
cases but that In this country an unadju sEfd
question and one that not free from doubt iil
his own best judgment was in favor Of the righ ~