The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-03-31
BELKNAP's IMPEACHMENT
The Articles Are at Last Presented.


BY American Press Association to the STAR.
WASHINGTON, March 31.-In the
House yesterday afternoon Mr.. Knott,
Chairman of the Judiciary Committee,
presented articles in support of the i'm
parchment OF VIM. w. 'Belknap for high
crimes and misdemeanors. Article
first charges that Belknap, while he was
in office as Secretary OF war of the
United States, to wit. On the Sth day
Of October, 1870, had power and au-
thority under the laws of the United
States, as Secretary of War, to appoint
persons to maintain an establishm ent
at Fort Sill; that said Belknap promised
to appoint one Caleb p. Marsh to
maintain said trading establishment;
that said Marsh and one John S. Evans
entered into an agreement in writing,
substantially as follows, to.wit: Here
follow articles OF agreement between
Marsh and Evans, heretofore published.l
That thereafter, viz: on October 10, 1870,
said Belknap did, at the instance and
request Of the said Marsh, at the city or
Washington, appoint said Evans to
maintain said trading establishment,
and in consideration of said appoint
ment of said Evans said Belknap, ON or
about November 2, 1870, did unlaw-
fully and corruptly receive from said
Marsh the sum of $1,5d0, and that at
divers times thereafter, viz: ON or about
January II, 1871, and at or about the end
of each three months during the term Of
one whole year, said Belknap, while still
Secretary of War, did unlawiully receive
from said Marsh like sums Of $1,000, in
consideration OF the appointment OF said
Evans, and In consideration of his per-
mitting said Evans to continue to main
tain said trading establishment, whereby
said Belknap, who was tIen Secretary
Of War, was guilty Of high crimes and
misdemeanors in office.
Article. second charges that said Bel
knap, while Secretary Of War, did, Nov.
4, 1919, 1915 |-!!lllllnlly. corruptly and unlaw-
iully take and receive from Caleb p.
Marsh 81 800 in coDsiuefaccii11sa shat ne
would continue to permit one John 8.
Evans to maintain trading post at Fort
Sill; and that said Belknap, for such
consideration, did corruptly permit said
Evans to maintain said post, and said
Belknap was thereby guilty OF a high
misdemeanor in office.
Article third reiterates substantial
ly what is contained in the first article,
that Evans, by the nature of his appoint.
ment, continued in his office from. Octo-
ber, 1871, to March 2, 1875; that in con.
sideration of his appointment Evans
agreed with Marsh to pay In advance the
sum of 1000 during the year immedi-
ately following the 10th day Of October,
1870. and other large sums OF money quar-
terly during each year that said Evans
could be permitted by Belknap to main
tain said trading post: that Evans
did pay Marsh said money until Decem-
Der, 1876, when the last of said payments
was made; that Marsh. on receipt OF
said payments, paid one-half thereof to
Belknap; yet said Belknap, we'll kno W.
ing these facts and having power to re-
move Evans at any time and appoint
some other person, criminally disre-
garded his duties as Secretary Of War,
and basely prostituted his high office
to his lust for private game
and unlawfully and .corruptly con
tinued said Evans in his position, to the
great INJURY and damage of officers and
soldiers stationed at said post, as well
as emigrants, freighters and others; to
lie service, whereby said Belknap
was guilty of high crimes and
misdemeanors in office, In that he,
while Secretary of War, received cor
ruptly large sums OF money from Marsh
in consideration Of permitting Evans to
remain as post trader at Fort Sill. Ap-
pended to this article are seventeen
specifications relating to times where
Belknap received money. viz: Novem-
Der IT, 1870; January IT, 1871; April 1S,
1871, and continuing down each quarter
until January 10, 1915.
Article fifth charges that Belknap cor
ruptly permitted Evans to rel ain his
post until March 2, 1875. That he was
induced to make the appointment by the
influence ofMarsh, who was paid large
sums OF money therefor, which he shared
with said Beiknap; that he continued
the appointment in order that said sums
of money might bereceived eitherto his,
said Belknap's own use, or to be paid
over to his wife, all OF which acts and
doings were high misdemeanors in office.
The report closes as follows: And
the House Of Representatives, by prot
estation saving to themselves the lib
erty of exhibiting at any time hereafter
any further articles or accusations OF
impeachment against said VIM. W. Bel
knap, late Secretary of War of the
United States, and also of replying to
his answers which he shall make unto
the articles herein preferred against
him, and Of offering proof to TIE
same and every part thereof, ~and
10 all and every other article, ac-
cusation OF impeachment which shall
be exhibited by them, as the case shall
require, demand that said w. w. Bel
knap may be put upon trial to answer
for high crimes and misdemeanors in
office herein charged against him, and
that such proceedings, examinations,
trials and judgments may be had and
given as may be agreeable to law and
justice.
Resolved, That seven managers be ap-
pointed by ballot to conduct the i'm
peachment exhibited against Wm. w.
BeIknap, late Secretary Of War OF The