The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1876-03-09
BELKNAP'S DISGRACE.
The Secretary of Wars Crime and It's
Exposure.
He Confesses, and Tenders His Resignation,
Which is Accepted-The House by a IMAM
imous Vote, Impeaches Him for High
Crimes and Misdemeanors

The grave charge which was brought
against Secretary-of-war Belknap
thursday, the 2nd inst, by Mr.. Marsh,
OF New York, that he had paid the
Secretary $4,000 for a post trader
shlp-government property-and 500
600 for the appointment of Post-trader
at Fort Sill, Indian Territory. has
caused the most profound sensation in
Washington circles, not unmixed with
some sorrow among the many friends Of
Belknap, who have always had the
greatest confidence in him. The prompt
action of the House IN drawing up
articles of impeachment and passing
them unanimously, indicates that the
case is virtually clear against the ex-
Secretary. The President accepted
Belknap's resignation when the charges
were brought, but stated that if he had
thoroughly comprehended their gravity
he should have peremptority demand
ed his resignation Secretary of the
Navy Robson has been ordered by
President Grant to assume the duties
of Secretary-Of- III addition to his
own.
The originator of the Belknap inves-
tigatiOn is understood to be G. Q.
Ormcs, of Washington, real estat-eagent,
who, in a casual conversation with
Hon. b. b. Lewis, of Alabama, remark
ed that he could in sixty days develop
facts which would force the resignation
Of the Secretary of War. Lewis there
upon sought the advice of Randall, of
Pennsylvania, who brought the facts,
substantially as have now been made
public, before Clymer, Chairman of the
Committee on Expenditures in the
War Department. The list of wit
nesseS was thereupOn made out, and
the deposition of Caleb p Marsh was
taken, as he was unable to be present
personally on account of the illness of
his wife. The contract between himself
and Secretary Belknap, it seems, was
drawn up III the summer of 1870.
1t appears from the deposition of
March that one-half the payments due
to the Secretary was forwarded to Mrs.
Belknap, and the Secretary Of War in
a semi-COnfessiOn to the President gave
him to understand that his (Belknap's
wife, is really the culprit, but that he
would assume the responsibility to
shield her; he confessed, however, that
he was not entirely free from blame
The regular proceedings in the I'M
parchment trial were impressive, and
were witnessed by members of the
House, md large audiences in the gal
leries, with the most intense interest
At the close Of Il short speech by
Wood, of New York, the Committee
rose, and Mr.. Clymer presented resolu-
tons Of impeachment against William
W. Belknap, late Secretary Of War, for
high crimes and misdemeanors in
office In the midst Of great excite
ment, and with unusual stiffness in the
House, Mr.. Clymer rose and said: 81
ask permission Of the House to make
a report on the Committee Of Expend-
itures in the War Department, of so
grave an Importance. that | am quite
certain, when it is heard, the House
will agree that | am justified III asking
that permission at this time.
Permission was given, and Mr.. ely
mer, taking his position at the clerks
desk, read the following:
/ The committee found at the very thresh-
old of its investigation such unquestiOned
evidence of the malfeasance of Gen VIM.
w. Belknap, then secretary of war, that
they found it their duty to Law the same be-
fore the House. They further report that
this day, at II o'clock a letter of the Presi-
dent of the United States was presented to
the committee, accepting the resignation of
the secretary of war, together with Il copy
of his letter OF resignation which, the Pres
ident informed the committee was accepted
at about thirty minutes past 10 o'clock this
morning. They therefore unanimously re-
port, and demand that said VIM. w. Bell-
nap late secretary of war be dealt with aC-
cording to the law of the land, and to that
end submit herewith the testimony in the
case, together with several statements and
exhibits thereto attached and also a report
of the proceedings of the committee, had
during the investigation of this subject and
submit the following resolutions:
Resoiced, That William w Beknap, late
secretary of war, be impeached of high
crimes and misdemeanOrs.
/ The resolutions were finally submit
ted to vote Of the House, and unani-
mously adopted