The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-03-06
Scenes and Incidents Of Bel
knaD's Fall.

the downfall of William W. Belknap, OF
late an honored adviser in the private
councils of the President Of the United
States, is already known. The simple
fact is of itself an awful announcement;
but that does not by any means tell the
whole awful story of the appalling event.
1t was surrounded by circumstances OF
such dramatic interest as to clothe 1t
with all the somber hues Of a startling
tragedy. Calm and brave-hearted men
turned pale as the thunderbolt of ruin
and disgrace tell 80 suddenly at their
feet.
In orderto present to our readers some
conception Of the shock that filed all
hearts with awe when the curtain OF
secrecy SO suddenly rose upon this
dreadful drama, we here condense from
numerous accounts given by our ex-
changes some OF the scenes and Incl
llehts OF Belknap's fall.
In the first place, 1t must be known
that the members Of the Committee
making the Investigation were sworn to
absolute secrecy until their work was
done. At Belknap's earnest entreaty
this secrecy was still observed for sew
eral days, until the last moment Of their
last session, which lasted until long al
ter midnight. In the morning rumors of
the impending event had gained circula-
ton, but were still deemed incredible.
Before the hour for Congress to assem-
lie kilograms began to arrive from the
chief cities OF the Union asking informa-
iion concerning these rumors.
Tie secret had been SO well kept that
although it seems almost Incredible still
It is true that the President knew moth
ing OF the facts which had been de-
yeloped before the Clymer Committee
till about 10 O'Clock Thursday morning.
Tue Republican members Of the Com
nlittee were in q posIsion where they
could not tell him, as all were solemnly
sworn to secrecy. So, in common with
nearly all the members of Congress and
citizens generally, the President re-
mained in entire ignorance ofwhat had
happened long after the country outside
of Washington was in possession Of the
main facts, and also with the fact thai Il
member of his Cabinet had fully decided
to resign.
The President had just been made
aware that serious matters gravely af
fecting some member of his Cabinet hat
come out before House Committee, ant
had been given to the public, and hat
lust sent to Mr.. Bass, member of th'
Committee, for information, when secre
tary Belknap appeared and handed hin
his written resignation. The Presiden'
then first learned in brief the main fea
lures OF the case from the lips OF Secre
tary Belknap himself. The lta
tion was very brief, and the resignation
was promptly accepted.
The President, calm and retieent a
he usually is, was entirely overcome b.
the shock which the sudden announce
ment produced. AS is his custom whel
excited or troubled, he Immediately lef
the White House with his son, took hi
horse and drove turiously into the coun
try to recover his calmness away froI
noisy men amid the serenity Of nature.
The story, which had SO rapid
spread, and had gained SO little Gre
denee during the early hours of the day
was soon believed when, at A o'clocl
the Speaker called the House to orde
The stiffness of the grave came over tht
body; the members gathered together o
decorously as If to pay the tribute OF r.
spectful memory to one of their ow
number. They had assembled for MOI
solemn purpose than that; they wer
present as mournful witnesses to a stor
ofnational dishonor. The galleries wei
deusely packed. The diplomatic ar
members galleries were filled with iadi'
who came to hear the sad tale or Il
temptation and fall Of ono OF society
queens.
The general galleries were filed vii
the idle and curious. The membe
crowded to the semi-circle in front
the Speakers desk, some even sittiI
upon the floor. The vacant seats al
the space between the seats were crow
ed with Senators who came to witnei
the preliminary proceedings in the ca
In which they are SO soon to sit
judges. A deathfy stiffness fell upt
the House when Heister Clymer ros
What sense OF decorum and regard f
business could not accomplish u
CHASTITY days business did-the Hou
was stilled. Clymer, BelknaPs old clai
mate, had become, by virtue Of his po
tion as Chairman Of the Committee
Expenditures in the War Departmel
the person designated to arraign his G
romrade. That he felt his position :
lremuIous voice well showed. Mou
Ing the tribune, and speaking from
Cserk's dess, Clymer read the eyiden'
+ and the resolutions Of tmpeachme
tIfaf