The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1876-04-29
Belknap,s Answer.

Just before the office OF the Secretary OF the
Senate was closed Monday afternoon, the ooun.
sel for william w. Belknap filed with secre.
tary Graham Cen Belknaps rejoinder to the
repications Of the House Of Representatives IN
the matter OF his impeachment A general de-
murrer is interposed in the first Of the two rep.
hcatiOns alleging its insufflciency. He next de.
MES the statement contained In the second rep.
licntiOn, thai he was Secretary Of Wnr until and
Including the I'd day Of March, 1870. lie then
uenles the assertions OF the replication TO the
eitert that he was secretary Of War until n com.
mttee having authority from the House had
investigated his Official conduct anu asserts
that up to the time of ns resignation the House
had not given authority to any committee to
investigate any of the matters set forth IN the
charges made against nm IN the articles OF i'm.
peachment. lie adds, tnst although It is true
thht the Comm ttee on fNpendl lures of the War
DeDartment had been pretending TO make some
inquiry into the matters set forth In the articles
of Impeachment, but without authority In that
behalf from the House of Representatives vet
the said committee had not completed it's pre-
tended invesitpa6ion, but was engaged in the
exOmltnatOn OF witnesses when SAID committee
was Informed that ne mad resigned his office of
Secretary of War, and that his resignation had
been accepted.
As to the second replication, Belknap reIoins
that although he did resign his office as alleged
In the replication, he did not do so with intent
to evnde any proceedings of the House to I'M
peach him, but On the contrary he AYERS the
fact TO De that the COmuitte on expenditures
OF the War Depal tment, without any authority
or direction Of the House TO nvesti gate IN o.
gard t0 his official misconduct, examined one
Marsh, who MADE q statement 10 sald commit
tee which, If true won d not support the articles
OF impeachment against him tBel knapl, but
which was OF such a character in respect to
other persons, one OF whom was so nearly con-
necteu with him by domestic ties as TO greatly
niiliCt him aud to maze him wiling 10 secure
the suppression Of 80 much Of said statement as
affected such other persons ut any cost to him.
self IheTetOie Q he proposed to said committee
that II they would suppress that part Of tald
statement lie (BelEnaD), though contrary TO the
truth, would admit the receipt by hiin Of all
moneys SAID by Marsh TO have been received by
him from one Evans but said committee decln.
cd TO SAID proposition and the Hon. Heister
Clymer, Chairman Of the com mlttee said that
he should mON @ IN the House for the impeacl-
menJ VI hun (BelknaD) unless he should resign
his office of secretary Of War before noon of the
next uay, TO wit March g. 1876 and he (helk-
nap) regarding TINS declaration by Mr.. Clymer
an intimaIiOn that he could by thus re TX ming
avoid the intlctiOn lnseparnOle from protr CT
ed tini, ana the humilinti IN OF awaiting himself
OF the defence disclosed In sud statement 1t.
self. wn ch woulu cast blame On said otner Ger
sons he Yielded 10 the suggestion made uy
Clymer believing that cue same was made In
good Iaith, and That he would by reslgnine his
position secure The speedy dismissal Of said
statement from The public nid He did 70 re
sign, on March Z, leio ut iO:2U A M. aud caused
the committee 10 De notified Of the fact anu O
the acceptance of his resignation by the Presi
dent, ali OF which was in pursuance nnu in con
sequence OF Mr.. Clymer's suggestion, ,and there
upon the committee declared that they had NJ
further duty to perform IN the premises. belK
nap, IN cUnciusiOn. submits that while tn,
House clai.s that Blr. lvmer was ac, ing in ia
behalf In the pretended examination Of " arBll
the House ought III honor and law to be estop
pea to deny That Cymer was also acting on III
benalf In suggesting hist Belknap'5D resignation
| Wherefore lie pray judi menL whether the salt
| House ought 10 have or maintain the .mpeacn q
ment against him.