Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-03-04

The Belknap scandal continues to attract
large share of public interest.
The Impeachment Articles.
The sub committee TO day reported TO the
full Judiciary Committee of the House the
articles OF impeachment which have been
prepared for presentation to the Senate. 1t
is understood that they are quite simple In
form. There are two cOunts-tne first charges
Secretary Belknap with having accepted
bride and the second count with continuing
TO accept the same. The committee was still
in session at a late hour to day. II is prob
able, however, that the articles as reported
will be agreed upon
A member OF the Committee on Expendi.
lures I'm the War department, is authority
for the statement that the committee are of
the opinion that before II gets through the
show that Secretary Belknap is worth a.
least $50, goo.
A BAD SHOWING.
Gen. Custer yes terdsy telegraphed to Hon.
Hester Clymer. chairman of the Commit
teeOn Expenditures in the War department,
hIs opinion that there is no trading post west
of the Missouri rlver which has not been
bought by the parties holding II.
POLITICAL USES OF THE SCANDAL.
The national Congressional democratic
committee met last night, and it is under
stood decided TO make the issue in New
Hampshire and Connecticut on the question
of official corruption in high places, leaving
the financial issue t. take care of itself
sam Cox says the eyes Ofthe country are not
looking to the hard and soft money issues
now, but that the disgrace OF Il elkuap is the
absorbing topic.
Action OF the Cabinet Yesterday
The Cabinet remained in session yesterday
until after o'clock in the afternoon. The
subjects that received consideration were
the institution of criminal proceedings
against ex- Secretary Belknap and those who
we've associated with him i'm the practices of
bribery and corruption that have just been
officially discovered, and the selection of q
new Secretary of War. The President stated
TO the Cabinet that while he could take no
steps which might look like the persecution
of any one. he had determined to shrink from
10 responsibility that rested upon him, and
ne therefore asked the Attorney General to
take Immediate steps 10 proceed with
CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST GENERAL
BELKNAP
and Messrs. Marsh and Tomlinson. and all
others shown by any evidence that shall be
adduced TO have had part in the painful
transactions that were the subject OF atten-
tor. Upon this determination of the Presi-
dent there were full and thorough express
sions of cpinion favOring such action as the
President mad determined upon without de-
lay. The peculiar character of the case o.
Gen. BelkDap's offence, differing in many re-
spects, as IL does, from an ordinary case of
Drloery' was subject OF comment and dis
cussion, the result OF which was the refer
ence OF the entire matter to the Attorney
General, who will take the necessary sters
10 enter criminal proceedings just as soon as
the facts can be put in shape to be sworn to.
AS part OF the discussion, IL is mentioned
that there should be no delay in the proceed
lngs because of the progress of al impeach-
ment trial. The two trials will be entirely
independent OF each other. Judge PierrepOnt
remained at the Executive Mansion for a
short time after the other Cabinet officers
had gone to their respective departments, for
the purpose of getting what facts the Presi-
dent might be possessed of, in accordance
with the determination TO commence imne-
nIaleIS me proceeuIuss under his charge.
SUCCESSOR TO BELKSAP.
The discussion relative to the appointment
OF successor TO Secretary Belknap was of
considerable length, but no decision was
reached, and there will probably be another
Cabinet session about it. The assurance is
given that the person who will be appointed
II the Office will be a man of high character
and kLOyn position.
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