The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-03-30
Wa hington correspondence.
WASuTNGTON n

WASHINGTON, March 10, 1876.
Editors Democratic StGtesman-The all
absorbing topic here now is ''Belknap."
Some blame him in the severest terms, while
others lay the sin at the door of his wife,
and say that it was because of his desire to
please her and to allow her to move among
the gay and giddy throng of fashionables
that caused him to accept bride for an
appointment; that his salary was not suffi-
cient to meet the constant demands she
would make on his purse-strings; hence the
cash must be raised by other means. There
Is false society here that requires Cabinet
officers to live in great pomp and grandeur.
To meet the demands of this false and ex-
acting fashion, they are put to an enormous
expense. Balls, wines. champagne, elegant
drives, and various other things must be
furnished, too numerous to mention, all
drawing out of the pocket of the poor vic
tim the last cent of his earnings, and when
this is hot sufficient to meet the demands,
the money must be raised by other means,
honestly, if possible, but 1t mast be raised
Whatever was the cause of Beknaps dis
grace, one thing is certain, he is ohly one
of the many officials here who are in the
same fix. 1t is thought by many that his
stealings are but trifle in comparison with
many Others, and that there are those here
in high position who have not only made
their thousands, but millions, by dishonest
and fraudulent transactions, and that when
this Congress finish their investigations,
and the same is published to the world,
the country will stand aghast at the horrid
spectacle.
President Grant, with reckless disregard
of the rights of the people over whom he
has so long tyrannized, steps in and receives
the resignation of Gen. Belknap in the
morning, knowing that he was to be i'm
peached that evening by the House; thus
leaving it as questionable matter whether
the Senate can try a private citizen for
crimes committed while an officer
The graLd jury met here few days since,
and, no doubt instigated by Grant, Pierre
pOnt & Co., they send subpoena to the
House Committee on War Expenditures
that reported Mr.. BeIknap's crime to the
House, to bring before them all the evidence
in the case. This created great deal of
confusion and legal argument as to the
right of a grand jury to order House COM
mlttee to do anything.
The contest was fierce and bitter espe-
cially between Messrs. Lamar and Blaine.
The House finally refused, believe by a
strict party vote, to send them the evidence.
The Senate, it is supposed, will take no &C.
ton in the matter of impeachment, on the
ground of a want of jurisdictions; and the
grand jury report they find no evidence on
which to indict Gen. Belknap.
And thus it seems, after ali that has been
said and done, he will go 'tscot Free"
The truth is, the President is IN with
them in all their infamous transactions, aud
will shield them with all his power and in
fuence. Zach Chandler says he would "a
ther be in HI without fan than to be
Secretary of the Interior with Democratic
House after him."
Your correspondent has just finished read
ing four copies of the STATESMAN, and you
cannot imagine the delight he received on
perusing their interesting pages. He would
advise all Texans away from home (for
those who are at home do so anyhow to
take the STATESMAN. 1t is the best anti
dote for the blues he has ever tried.
Mrs. Fitzhugh and family arrived here
safely on yesterday morning. We under
stand Col. Fitzhugh proposes making this
city his future home.
The appropriation bill has been reported
to the House, and made special order from
day to day until disposed of. 1t cuts down
ali salaries, to a considerable extent, and
there is a mighty bowling in the camp.
The proposed appropriation is most lib
eral one, but then, 1t must be remembered
that this is the year of the Presidential
c4mpaign and, of course, we must have
s'policy" for all political parties.
HKNAT KEwn