The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-03-09
i. BELKNAP'S DISGRACE.


Under a Cloud-Articlesof Impeachment
Presented Against Him in the House.
Since the impeachment of President
Johnson, NO event has created half the
excitement that was produced in all the
official and private life of the National
Capitol by the announcement of the i'm
parchment of Gen. w. w. Belknap,
Secretary OF War, for high crimes and
misdemeanors. The House Committee
on the Expenditures OF the War Depart
ment, of which Hon. Hester Clymer, of
Pennsylvania, is Chairman, has been for
some time investigating the doings of the
War Minister. There have now and then
been rumors of the discovery of crook
edness in the department., but no one
dreamed of the thunderbolt that was
about to descend. It appears that Gen.
Belknap had gained some knowledge of
the nature of the disclosures before the
Clymer Committee, and had rendered his
resignation early in the morning of the
I'd inst, the President accepting it at
once. Notwithstanding this the House
proceeded to impeach him for high
crimes and misdemeanors. According
~ near the close of the day S proceedings
Mr.. Clymer rose in his seat and present
ed resolution of impeachment against
William w. Belknap, late Secretary of
War, for high crimes and misdemeanors
in office. In the midst of great excite
rncnt, and with unusual stiffness in the
House, Mr.. Clymer rose and said: 81
ask permission of the House to make a
report from the Committee on Expendi-
lures in the War department, of so grave
importance that I am quite certain that
when it is heard this House will agree
that I am justified in asking that per-
mission at this time.
Permission was given, and Mr.. Clymer,
taking his position at the Clerks desk,
read the following report
The Committee found at the very
threshold of its investigation such I'M
questioned evidence of malfeasance of
William w. Belknap, then Secretary of
War, that they found it their duty to lay
the same before the House. They fur
Their report that this day, at IL O'Clock,
| letter Of the President of the United
States was presented to the Committee
accepting the resignation of the Secre-
tary of War, together with a, copy Of his
letter of resignation, which the 1'resi-
dent informed the Committe was accept
ed about 1920 this morning. They
therefore unanimously report and de-
mand that SD William w. Belknap, late
Secretary of War, be dealt with accord
ing to the law of the land, and to that
end submit herewith the testimony In
the case taken, together with several
statements and exhibits thereto attached,
and also a report of the proceedings OF
the committee had during the investiga-
ton of this subject, and submit the fol
lowing resolutions:
Resolved, That VIM. W. Belknap, late Secre-
tary of War, be impeached OF high crimes and
misdemeanors.
Resozued, That the testimony in the case of
VIM. w. Belknap, late Secretary of War, be re-
ferred to the Judiciary Committee, with in
structions to prepare and report, without I'M
necessary delay, suitable articles of impeach-
ment of said VIM. W. Belknap, late Secretary
of War.
Resolued, That committee of five members
| of the House be appointed and Instructed to
proceed Immediately 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 mlsde-
neanors when in Office, and to inform that
| body that formal articles of impeachment Will
| in due time be presented, and to request the
| they deem appropriate.
| Mr.. Clymer then proceeded to read
the testimony of Caleb B. Marsh, taken
before the committee, showing that he
had paid Secretary Belknap about
800. 900 in consideration of his appoint
ment as Post Trader at Fort Sill, Indian
Territory. The reading was listened to
with intense interest by members OF the
House and by large audience in the
galleries. In the more pathetic portions
of the narrative Clymer was frequently
forced by his feelings to pause until his
voice recovered from it's tremulousness
and himself from his agitation.
At the close of the reading, and after
many members who had taken up posi-
tions near the Clerk s desk-the betterto
hear the testimony and accompanying
statements-had returned to their proper
seats, Mr.. Clymer, who had also gone to
his seat, again rose and said with great
emotion /:
Mr.. Speaker would not if could. and
could not, in my present condition if | would,
add ANYTHING to the facts just reported to this
House. Another occasion may be affordrd me
to do so. They are SO PLAIN, that everywhere
throughout this broad land, and throughout
Cbristendom, wherever the English language
is read or spoken they will for long years con
etitute record of official corruption and crimes
such as there is no parallel for in our own
history or in that OF any country that know
of. In this hour, if one sentiment of pity,
one word of sympathy, could find utterance
from me, it would be because I feel that the late
Secretary of War is but the proper outgrowth,
the true exponent, of the corruption, extrava-
gance and misgovernment that have cursed
this land for years past. That being my own
reflection, will discharge my duty best to my
SELF and to this House by demanding the pre-
vious question on the adoption of the resoln-
ton.
After some debate the House pro-
ceeded to vote ON the resolutions, and
they were unanimously adopted.
The Speaker appointed as the commit
tee to notify the Senate of the action OF
the House, Messrs. Clymer, Robbins,
Bass and Danforth-the members COM
-,oc;,,o~ 4ho GonToitfnn on Elv1onndit11ToS |