Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-03-11

reckoned one OF the most upright
and honest men who ever filed the
position. But facts soon come t.
light which left no doubt rs to hi'
guilt. A congressional invcstiga-
ton committee ascertained that one
Marsh had had dealings with Bel
KNAPP which locked somewhat
.'crookcd". Mr. Marsh was sum
moned before the committee, and
testified in substance that in con
sideration of the appointment OF
post sutler on the western frontier
from the secretary, he had paid him
or his wife, so much money, $4,000
the first year, and since then $4,000
annually, amounting in the whole
to some $4,000. Marsh did not,
in fact, go out west, or have any
thing to do with the business of the
sutlership, but made an agreement
with one Evans, who had this APP
pointment at the time Marsh wanted
it, whereby Evans was to continue
at the pest and pay to Marsh the
sum of $4,000 annually but the
secretary got his money all the same.
Upon being summonds before the
committee Belknap admitted the
truth of Marsh's statement. Before
the extent of his great crime was
known Belknap rendered his resig
nation to the President, remarking
that his wife was implicated in Il
crime which he assumed and wish
ed to shield her. The President ac-
cepted it. AS soon as the facts
were brought out the House pro-
ceeded to draw up articles of i'm
parchment against Belknap and
presented them to the Senate. In
the meantime, the chairman of the
congressional committee, Demo
crat by the way, had paid Marsh
his fees and dismissed him, with
the understanding that he would
not be needed again. Marsh I'M
mediate|y "slid into Canada, where
be now is, having taken the origin
al documents with him. The re-
suit is that there is not enough evil
dence in possession OF the House to
warrant the pressing of the impeach-
ment articles. An endeavor is be-
ing made to obtain new evidence
sufficient to proceed. The Republi-
cans Of the committee and of tn e
House are striving in every way to
press forward the matter of impeach.
ment of Belknap, but the Democrats,
who are in u majority in the House
are impeding it, hoping by keeping
the matter before the people to make
political capital out of it.
THE cities and towns which have
holden elections the present week.
have encouraged the Republicans
greatly. Portland made large Re-
publican gains, elected Republi
can mayor, and a majority of the
Aldermen aud council. Last year
it was the reverse. Burlington was
redeemed from the Democrats after
one of the hottest contests ever held
in the city. The Free Press sums
up the result as follows:
The election Of Hon. 10. ID. Hatch
Republican Mayor, by 50 majority
"a Republican gain Of 145 voters
over the election of IA.
The reelection of M. r. Tyler,
Republican, as City Judge, by unan-
imOuS vote.
The election of four Republican
and two Democratic Aldermen-a
gain of three Republicans.
The election of one Republican
School Commissioner and one Dem.
ocratic Commissioner, leaving the
School Board without change.
The election of Republican Ward
officers in three of the five Ward.
The above is a fair sample of the
result of the local elections on Tues
day last. The elections plainly show
that even if some of the people are
with the Republican
party, they are not yet willing to
trust the Democratic party, well
knowing that it is held by men who
are hand and glove with the old
southern secessionists, a class of
men who are as ready to-day as in
6l1tO sacrifice the best institutions
Of the country for the accomplish.
ment of selfish ends.
CoNGREssMEN CLYMER, Black
burn and Robbins, who were sum-
moned before the District Grand
Jury to testify in the Belknap case,
decline to appear as witnesses.
Clymer brought the subject before
The House Tuesday afternoon, pro
testing against giving testimony in
this case. This led to a sharp dis
Mr.. Blaine daring the Dem
,crats to prevent evidence in this
case from going before the Criminal
Court.
AN asylum for aged people at