The New York herald., 1876-03-03
Women Dragged Into the Slough Of
Sordid Dishonesty.
CONDUCT OF THE ACCUSED.
URfOunded RumOrS of Suicide Exciting
the Capital.
The War Department Rotten to
the Core.
wAsHISGros, March 2. 1876.

The discovery Of the Belknap frauds has created q
very Neat excitement here and 1t takes rank of
the most stirring events Washington has Very
few persons knew this morning that anything unusual
would happen to-day. The Washington papers gave
hint, and only those who chanced 10
ment of Mr. Beknap's impending resignation and dts
grace OF Baltimore papers had the least idea
OF what coming Mr. Clymer and his committee
guarded their very viglanty and very
fully.
THE SCENE HOUSE.
Rumor flies swiftly here, however, and by o'clock
all Washington excited and crowds streamed to
the Capitol hopes OF hearing the committee report
The committee had meantime locked itself in and
when it adjourned in the middle of the day its men,
bers secluded themselves The scene in the House in
the early afternoon very curious. The Hawaiian
treaty in regular before tho House, the
proper documents having been read at great length.
Mr. Fernando Wood took the floor and proceeded to
speak in favor OF tho Legislation necessary to
carry the treaty into effect He spoke ably, but
to an audience which either whispered in
listened to him though he
jester at funeral The floor
crowded with strangers The unfortunate gentleman
in the Speakers chair found 1t very difficult keep
order and every who could be supposed by
OF friendship with member the committee to have
private information centre OF eager attraction.
About one O'Clock a rurnor started In the House
that Bclknap had shot himself and for while 1t was
haliav In h,, ha
signed and it was then reported that the President
had nominated Treasurer New be Secretary Of War
In both houses the republicans grave faces
awaited the committees report with anxiety. The
general fact that Mr. Bclknap had been caught such
manner to leave no doubt OF his guilt suf-
hcienty ascertaIned question In any mind
and the main consideration to the greater or
lesser Importance OF the affair political event
bearing upon party prospects
About O'Clock a rumor obtained that the Presi-
dent had refused accept Beknaps resignation, and
left him to the House to be dealt with this both
republicans and democrats were gratacd, esteemng II
the proper conduct
ENTRANCE COMMITTEE
The House in Committee of the Whole listening
to Mr.. Wood well its impatience would permit
and fearful repeated reports that the committee
three Mr. Clymer quietly walked to his seat Messrs
Blackburn Bass and others OF the committee appear
ing simultaneously. Every one was Immediately full
OF attention Nr. Clymcr sat still and listened to Mr.
Wood and once the hopes Of the curious anx
ious fell At last Clymer walked over to Mr.. Wood for
. brief consultation Mr.. Wood, alter u pause, re-
marked that committee desiringto make import
report he willing the Committee Of the Whole
should This being agreed TO, the Speaker
resumed the chair and after the essential ormalities
Nr cIymer saying that his committee had clerk
and his report might easily be read by clerk he
would ask permission to read himself, opened his
budget
TnE RECEPTION OF REPORT.
There general demand that he should 90 the
Clerks desk, which he did and read from thence
clear voice, but evidently with excitement aud
unconceaed emotion, the House and galleries listening
In painful silence and with quick annoyance
The least noise. He read first the report OF
The committee, accusing William W. Bclknap late Sec
relary Of War Of high crimes and misdemeanors and
proposing, IN the name OF the House the Ameri
can people, articles OF impeachment The Impressive
.Eordng OF such report had a solemn effect When
IhIs was done be retired his seat and Tor moment
,cre an awful sense Of disgust In the House and
galleries tae supposton that he was done; but lac
Immediately asked leave to read also the testimony
which the report based ali the doc cuments
accompanying IT,
rnE rEsrIMoNY
Listening to these details painful and almost
horrible experience Mr. Clymer reads slowly and
rery distinctly Every word was understood by the
House and detail after detail OF crime AS vulgar as
IT'S
knocking brought out as Il became apparent tha
his was no single offence, but deliberate, long
continued succession Of offences began 10 be un
ierstood tha. not only Mr.. Beiknap was involved
aut both his former and his present wife As IL !