The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-02
DOOMSDAY FOR BELKNAP.
NE CONFESSES CORRUPTION AND
VIII BE TMPEACHED.
WE sale Of Post Trnderbips Acknowieaaea
~ the Disgraced rccretnry-An Abject
Plea for the Suppression Of the fnos
- xv... ,h. Hcc,ivor of the Money.


we sale Of Post Trnde-bips Acknowiedsea
~ the Diseraced Sccretary-An Abject
Plea for the Suppression OF the fhc"
. His wife the Receiver oil tho hone''
wAsurSoroS, March 1.-The Administra-
s,.o organs and orators, who have been fellc'-
,.,ins tho thick-and-thin supporters OF Grant
on the fact that. with all its zeal to discover
frauds, the Democratic majority In the House
has not been able to unearth single scanu" VI
any consequence, will be awakened to-hor-
row BY the explosion OF mlne' tno
shock OF which will tumble their par"
sdincs 10 ruins. The scales viii iall from
tbs eyes OF even the ignorant and the o'nuH
p.rtlsan multitude when the report to be maoe
~ IN. Committee on Expenditures In tho war
n.,atmont is made to the House tomorrow.
II will be seen then that the object Of Blaines
sp.ech on the horrors Of Andersonville, and
th. various resolutions offered by demagoguss
IKE Fort Of Illinois, was to divert the atten-
ton Of the Northern people from the frlghtful
corruption Of the present Administration.
The revelations which tho Hon. Heister ely
per. the Chairman Of the Aforesaid committee,
vin make to the House tomorrow will make
sysry Americ citizen hang lie head In shame.
The outline of this story OF shame Ia as follows
A Mr.. Marsh Of New York city appeared yester-
d.y before Mr.. Clymcr's com mittee in obedience
70 subpoena served upon him last Saturday and
testified that he had procured OF Mr.. Belknap'
Secretary OF War, a contract for certain post
traderships at Fort Sill and other points In the
Southwest, for which he paid the wife Of the
Secretary 10000 cash and continued to pay as
long as he retained the same $1,000 per annum.
He also testified to other frauds and corrupt
acts on the part OF the Secretary, and produced
the records as evidence to suhstantiate every
fact stated by him. lie subjected to Q
borough examination hut was not shaken 10 a
single point. The examination was In progress
ali day yesterday. and to day up to o'clock.
Atthree o'clock this afternoon, Belknap was
summoned before the committee. and the evil
asnce Of Marsh was read 10 him. He was asked
Mhe could give any explanation, or refute the
charge ia any degree. BowinS his head with
ahAme, he confessed that the statements were
true, and that he must submit to his
fate. lie, however implorod the commit
Tee to save bis wife from dishonor'
and to suppress some OF the mos'
aamning proofs, Offering TO suffer an indictment
charging him with any other crime, provided
the horrible record of corruption was withheld
and TO this arraignment he would plead guilty
and at once tender his resignation. But ever
The Republican members OF the committee, MIR
Danford OF Ohio ana Mr.. Bass Of New York
we're memorable. The blow has been impend nc
Tor more than a week, and Belknlp has been ad
vised OF its coming, aud pressure has beer
brought to bear on the Democratic member
81 the committee to incline them to mercy
but. while their hearts were tender, their sens'
Of responsibilit TO their country made then
iron clad against even tue pleadings " tho wifi
and mother.
After the testimony had been read to tho Sec
rstary, and he had confessed his crime, the com
nittee adjourned till o'clock this evening
when 1t again Teassembled IN the room OF on
Of the members at the Arlington Hotel, TO con
..aar whether they should allow the Secretar
"A resign, tnd rest satisfied with report
ing the record ne had confessed TO b
trus to the House. After q short conference
was determined that this could not be. Bu
sne witness had been examined, and, while tn
proof be furnished was clear that BelknAp ha
10 admit his shortcomings, It Ia known ths
ths is but one case Of many, and therefor
The Committee will have to report a resolu
tion Of impeachment, WHICH will undoue, ,rui
pass toe House, probably without oI
position. Articles will at once pre-
pared and formally presented TO the Ser
Ato. which will organize as High Cour
Of Impeachment, and TO try the accused
II does not matter II Belknap docs resign. Tn
dhAtuti,s which follow 4 conviction are per
nsncnt. and forever dsqualify him from here
after holding ofice.
THIS Is but the beginning OF tho work Of un
sarhing fraud in the War Department
The committee that has finished Belkns
have just as conclusive evidence aRains
smother high oflcor OF that department
and his destruction Is also inevitable. Follow
ing the resolution OF impeachment 10 Belknap'
sAss viii come another directing the Presiden
20 At once order the recall Of Gen. Meigs who's
presence here is wanted.