The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-03-18
CLYMER & MARSH.

! II isnow generally believed that Hon. Heis
ter Clymer, the Democratic chairman OF the
War Expenditure committee, received offered
inducements 10 secure his assistance in the es
cane of Marsh. Mr.. Bass, of New York, one
of the republican members OF the committee
strenuosly protested against the discharge ol
Marsh and the opportunity allowed that I'M
portant witness to abscond. lie was ovcrulcd
by Clymer, who, backed by the democrats on
the committee, unanimously discharged BIZ
Marsh, and, although fearful that he might
not be able to make tracks for Canada before
stems could be taken to secure his detention
the chairman kindly volunteered to 70 with
him and get his fees, or if necessary TO send
them by mail, together with the documentary
evidence TO be left behind -Pekin BUlsettH.
There is a good deal of this sort of nonsense
in all the republican newspapers, and it only
serves to illustrate the cagernesS with which
drowning men will catch at straws What
occasion was there for Mr.. Clymer, or the en-.
Marsh after be had made his damnng state.
ment against Belknap? Mr. Marsh had been
in Washington for a week before he got an
opportunity to tell his story, then told it vii.
lingly, and when he was done certainly no
man on the committee proposed 10 punish
him or do anything with him that was calcu-
lated to interfere with his remaining quietly,
at Washington or going to his comfortable
home in New York. Nor did Mr.. Marsh
leave that day, or the next. II was not until
after the President had accepted Belknap's
resignation and thus placed him beyond the
punishment Of the house and senate, that it
occurred to the President that it was now his
duty to direct the attorney general to take the
proper steps to have Belknap punished by the
courts. But in directing the attorney general
TO take these steps he also directed Kim to
tax steps to drive off the witnesses against Bel
knap, by the punishment Of Marsh, or any
other witness that might turn up who had
been partner of Belknap's and might squeal
on him. Then it was, for the Grst time, that
Marsh's longer tarrying IN Washington or New
York became uncomfortable, and it was then
he took Grants hint and fed to Canada. If
Grant meant in good faith that either Bel
KNAPP or Marsh should be punished, why did
not he, before openly proclaiming his purpose
to have these criminals punished see to it
that Marsh was secured against escape? 1t is
sheer hypocritical pre'cnse to find fault with
Clymer or the house for letting Marsh escape.
After the President lad accepted Belknap's
resignation which he had done an hour be.
fore Marsh's evidence was even reported to
the house, Belknap was placed beyond the
houses reach Congress can only impeach
public officers. After Belknap's resignation
was accepted he was a mere private citizen
and no private citizen can be impeachcd. 1t
is Grant alone that is responsible for Marsh's
escape, and he issued the order on purpose to
compel him to run, so that he should not be
there TO testify and insure Belknap's punish
mcnt in the criminal court. II was an exact
repetition OF the disgraceful trick by which
the witnesses against Babcock were scared
away and that thief escaped punishment, ex.
acty as 1t is Grants purpose that Belknsp
shall escape.