New-York tribune., 1876-03-03
THE REVELATION IN CONGRESS.


, DARK AND PAINFUL DAY IN THE HOUsE-MR
BELKNAP CNANIMOUsLY IMPEACHED-MR. CLY
MFRS VOICE FAILS HIN ~ READING 1lIE TES-
TIMoSY-DEBATE on THE RIGHT TO MPEACH.
WASHINGTON, March 2.-At the conclusion
OF speech by Fernando Wood in the House to-day, Mr.
Hester Clymer Of Pennsylvania rose and presented
resolution OF impeachment against william W. Beiknap
late Secretary War; for hgn crimes and msdemeanors
in Office In the midst OF great excitement, and with an
unusual stiffness In the House, Mr. Cymer rose and said
I ask permission Of the House to make report from
the Committee on Expenditures III the War department
of so grave Importance that am quite certain ta when
IL is heard this House win agree that am justified IN
asking that permission nc this time.
Permission was given and Mr. Clymer. taking his posi-
ton at the Clerk desk, read the following report;
The Committee found Mt the very threshold OF its In
vesgation such unquestloned evidence OF the mntIeas
ance Of Gen. Vim. ". Beknap, then Secretary OF War
HSe They further report tn that td this day. & at II oScs Ss
srnted to the Committee accepting the resignation OF
the Secretary Of War, together with copy or h5 oter
OF resignatiOn which the President Informed the Com
nittee was accepted about 1920 this morning They
therefore unanimously report and demand that the SAID
VIM W BeKnap, late Secretary Of War, b. d'at with
according 10 law of the land and TO that end submit
herewith the testimony In the case taken together Wn
the several statements aud exhibits thereto attached
aud also rescrpt the proceedings OF the Committee
had during the investigation or this subject and submit
Resoired That VIM W. Belknap. late Secretary OF War
be impeaehed of high crimes and misdeInean0rs -. ~
ResOired, That the testimony IN the ease OF W. BEL
knap late Secretary OF War, be referred to the Judiciary
Committee with instructions to prepare ana report Win
out unnecessary delay suitable articles OF impeachment
OF said W. w. Belknap, late Secretary OF war
BsSoiced, That acOmmIttee OF I'VE memDers OF inc inc
atey TO ne bar of the Senate and there mpeacb Wm w
Belfnap secretayo War; in the name OF the people
of the Unitsd states, OF high crimes hhu nisdneanois
when In office and inform that body that formal atl
ccs OF impeachment viii IN due time be presenter ana 10
request the Senate GO take such ofutr AN te premises as
they may deem appropriate
Mr. CIymer then proce eded to read the testimony OF
Caleb T. Marsh taken yesterday before the Committee,
showing that had paid Secretary Belknap about 2o
900 consideration OF his appointment as Post Trader
at Fort sil Indian Territory. The reading was listened
TO with intense interest by the members OF the House
and large audience in the galleries. In the more pa
thetc portions OF the narrative Mr. Clymer was he-
aueny forced by his feelings TO pause until his voice re-
covered from ITS tremulousness and himself from his agt
tation At OF the reading aud after the many
members who had taken positions near the Clerks
desk the better TO the testimony and accompanying
statements had returned to their proper seats. Mr. ely
mer who had also gone his seat again rose and said
with great emotions
Mr. speaker-I would not IL ] could and could not in
my present condition. IL would add anything 10 the
facts lust reported the House Another occasion msy
he Afforded nue. to do So They are plain that every
wherc Throughout this broad land, aud throughout
ChriscndOm. wherever tho English language Is reau or
spoken they will for long years constitute record OF
Official corruption and crime such as there Ia no parallel
for In history, or In Iat or any other country
that know Of II IN this hour one sentiment OF ply
would be becsuse feel that tho late Secretary OF war Is
but the proper ougrOwh the true exponent OF the cor
mptiOn the eIavagance the nisgorernment that nave
cursed this land for years past That being my own
reflection will dscarge my duty best 10 myself ana 70
this House by demanding the previous question ON the
adoption Of the resolution.
The question OF the right to impeaoh debated bV
several members.
The debate being closed the House proceeded 10 vote
on the resolutions they unanimously adopted
Ths Speaker 0pPoIntcd as the Committee 10 Inform