Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-03-15
Our Washington Letter.

WASHINGTON, D. C., March H. 1876.
Messrs. Editors We are inclined to think that
your readers are beginning to grow tired OF the
Belknap scandal, and are wishing for something
ese--not for additional sensations Of the same
kind, perhaps, but for rest, at least, from this
prevailing topic Right here at the Capital, how
ever the people apparently neither think, talk
nor dream OF anything else just now, and GER
tainly read Of but little else as the current news
OF the day. The present status OF
THE BELKSAp IMPEACHMENT
may be briefly stated, The principal witness,
Marsh, upon whose uncorroborated testimony the
articles of impeachment were drawn against Bel
KNAPP having fled to Canada, and his presence be-
fore the Senate being necessary in order to sub
stantiate the charges, it has been ordered by the
House that, In the absence Of Marsh, the resou-
ton instructing the judiciary committee to pre-
pare articles OF impeachment, be recommtted to
the committee, thus giving them an opportunity
to procure other testimony sufficient TO convict
This the committee claim they can do. The sub
ject was referred back to them on Wednesday
but they have as yet made no further report. As
to the indictment Of Belknap by the grand jury
OF the district 1t is stated good authority that
Marsh's absence prevents their action The evil
dence presented thus far is insufficient to warrant
the grand jury in bringing an indictment, and it is
more than probable that unless Marsh can be
brought back to testify, it will be impossible to
punish Belknap through the medium Of a crimi-
nal prosecution. The haste of Mr., Clymer, chair
man OF the investigating committee, to have the
principal witness step out, is likely to result in
baking the ends OF justice So much for demo-
cratic investigation. Beknaphas secured as bail
a man of low reputation, the owner of the Ma
tional Theatre here, which is heavily morgaged
as well rs other property which he pre,ends to
own. The old friends of Beknap, who enjoyed
any kind OF reputation In society, seem to have
all left him in his hour OF need and he falls back
upon whomeyer and whatever is brought TO help
him. His condition is deplorable indeed Various
reasons are assigned for his criminslity and con-
sequent downfall Some attribute 1t to the
ENTRAvAdAsCE or WASHINGTON SOCIETY,
and the demands made upon the members OF the
Cabinet by the residents here. This is, doubtless
one of the causes which led to the taking OF the
bride, and still the people who constitute what Ia
fashionably termed society" are not necessarily
to blame in the matter. Society runs after who
ever will open his doors to it, and give it good
|
may be-nether rank nor official position is the
criterion--if he and his throw wide their doors,
and II within there is a sufficient amount Of hos
pitality in la various platltudes all Is WELL and
the public repeat the visit, Such was the case
with General Belknap. His house was one OF the
most elegant In town, his receptions were uner-
ceptionable, and his wife so sweet" conse-
quently he, and all he had, was literally patron
lied by the bon ton and the general public.
Cabinet ministers have OF late years set the ex-
ample and their successors are expected to 20 aud
do likewise. When Gov. Boutwell,, OF Massachu-
sets was Secretary Of the Treasury, lived, with
his wife, in three rooms, for which he paid only
moderate price, and rarely was seon in fsshiona-
bic society Eight thousand year was enough
for him under the circumstances, but the public
didn't like It, The new Secretary was considered
one Of tho most parsimonlous Of Yankees and So
ciety was glad when he was retired Secretary
Brstow claims that when he first came to Wash
ington he lived quietly at the Arlington" but