The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-03-02

GREAT EXCITEMENT
IN WASHINGTON!
CORRUPTION IN THE CABINET,
Sec. Belknap's wife sells Post Trader
ships in the Army.
BELKNAP HAS TO LEAVE THE
CABINET.
THE HOUSE COMMITTEES UNCOVER
ING THE ROTTENNESS OF THE RE-
PUBLICAN PLazg. .GLELGERs.
Ia I'm rbr uo 70 To- hi po,
Levi Lucky Has to Leave the White House

WASHINGTON, March 2.-The report
that Marsh, Of New York, testified yester
day before the committee on expenditures
in the war department that he paid Mrs.
Belknap $40 900 for Post leadership and
Sc, 900 annually since. and that the secre
rary has not denied the truth of the
charge became generally known this morn
ing and caused much surprise and excite
ment in official and other circles. Inquir-
les being made in all quarters resulted in
general belief that the reported testi-
mony was entitled to credence, and this
belief was strengthened by the fact that
about 10 o'clock this forenoon Secretary
Belknap had an interview with the presi-
dent in company with Chandler Morton and
others. The subject discussed involved
the resignation of Secretary Belknap and
the latter left the executive mansion with
Secretary Chandler, and both went over
to the war department 1t is thought
that Belknap placed his resignation at the
pleasure of the president.
Levi Luckey has resigned as private
secretary to the president, as the latter
desired to continue his son Ulysses jr in
his Office. Mr.. Luckey has accepted re-
sponsible position in the department of
| the interior
| WASHINGTON, March "A Republican
member of the committee on expenditures
of the war department is authority for the
statment that Secretary Belknap has not
yet been before that committee but is to
be examined this morning. A report on
the subject will be made to the house to-
day if the committee is able to finish taking
| Testimony before adjournment
The same authority states that the presi-
dent has accepted Belknap's resignation.
The discovery Of this circumstance in
General Belknap's administrator Of the
war department occasions most intense
surprise, and cabinet oficersiand officials Of
all grades declare their absolute astonish-
ment. Throughout the entire city, to-day,
there has been talk regarding the subject
Of the impeachment of the ex-secretary for
the offense of corruption and opinions have
been divided even among cabinet officers
and others as to whether trial can he had
after the official is out OF Office
New YORK, March, "A Washington
special says Dr. Tomlinson, brother of Mrs.
Belknap, was before the committee on
morning and denounced the statemen,
/
Belknap and Marsh as false. Judge
committee. Nothing else is talked OF
about in the capital and the greatest eX-
citement prevails.
Belknap has remained at his private
residence to-day, not having visited the
many complications to be explained to the
~ i,o lo, th tn
to be allowed to make statement before it
) WASHINGTON, March 2-The report O
the testimony duplicating Secretary Belk
nap in the matter of the sale Of the Office
of post trader at Fort Sill is the theme O
com mment everywhere in this city to-day
Gen. Belknap has resigned. He handed
letter to the president rendering his res
ignatlng and asking that it be accepted
without delay.
1t is stated at the White House that tn,
resignation was promptly accepted, bu
the exact language of the presidents re
ply has not yet been obtained.
Several friends of Belknap called upol
him to day, but he had nothing to say ex
cept that he desired to make statemen
before the committee.
There are already rumors as to appoint
e ment of his successor but nothing is sail
ii about it at the W hite House.
o o 1t is also rumored this afternoon tina
e the president is inclined to withdraw hi
h acceptance of the resignation to await a
). investigation of the charges against Belk
e nap.
o o New YORK, March, "A WasEingto
it dispatch says it is generally believed tha
. Treasurer New will be rendered the offc
'e of secretary of war.