Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-03-08
Belknap's Downfall.

WASHINGTON, D G. March 2.-The
most intense excitement exists over thu
revelations regarding Secretary Bel
KNAPP. A Mr. Marsh told the CON-
mlttee on the expenditures Of the We,
Department that he had paid Mrs. Bel
KNAPP $4,000 for post-tradeship, ant
agreed TO pay her $4,000 annually.
which he has done. This startaipry
| exposure was communicated to Secre-
tary Belknap, and before be could sp-
pear before the Committee, bis wiz
waited upon the members ard admit
led tho truth of the statement. .nU
SAID she alone was to blame, as the
Secretary knew nothing about il.
Yesterday the Secretary appeared aud
confessed that the story was true, and
SAID that he desired to assume all the
responsibility, and not have it pat on
his wife. The committee were shock
ed at this admissions, and decided to re-
port articles of impeachment. This
morning Secretary Belknap went to
'he War Office, and remained for "a
lew minutes only, aud then proceeded
to the White House, where he had q
long interview with the President, in
the presence OF other members of the
Cabinet, who had been summoned to
consult. The result Of this interview
was that Secretary BeIknap rendered
his resignation, which was accentrh
At lO o'clock meet, ng OF the
House Committee was had for the
purpose of drawing up articles of i'm
peachment, and while il progress, Re
preventative Bass, member of the
committee, was summoned to the
White House, to consult with the
President. The same messenger
that brought the request to Mr.. Bass
to come to the White House, brought
a notice to the committee that the
President had accepted Belknap's re-
signation. The committee, notwith-
standing the acce ptapce OF his resip-
nat on, will, about 2 o'clock, p1esent
to the House their articles of i'm peach
ment.
It IS held that the House can act up
on the article of Impeachment. not
withs anding Belknap is no longer a
member Of the Cabinet. Belknap's
friends say that be has taken the ex-
posuae SO solemnly that they are ap-
prehensige that he will commit suicide.
WASHINGTON, March 6-On Sat
urday night, information was br usht
to Attorney General Pierrepontthat ex
Secretary Belknap WIS preparing to
escape; that his baggage was all ready.
and that his banker had been at the
house adjusting his accounts Acting
on this information, the Attorney Gen
eral at once directed that guards be
posted around the house to prevent bis
escape if it was attempted. A warrant
had been previously obtained, to be
served if Belknap attempted to get
away. To-day ex-senator Matt Car
penter, one Of Belknap's counsel.
called upon Mr.. Pierrepont, and asked
him to remove the guards from around
the house; that their presence was very
annoying and totally unnecessary. as
the ex-Secretary was firmly decided to
stand trial, and if he had desired to
escape. he could have done so a week
before the exposure came out; bat he
had refused to listen to the advice OF
some Of his friends, who urged him to
flee from the country and had remain
ed here to stand his trial The Attor.
ney General refused Mr. Carpenters
request, because the case had passed
from his hands to those of the District
Attorney, and with that official he did
not propose to interfere. Mr.. Pierre
pont said further. that no opportunity
must be afforded Belknap to get away.
if he desired and the country would
justly hold him aud the AdministHa-
ton responsible if the Secretary were
not brougbtto justice An indictment
will be found against Belknap today