The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-03-03

Mr. Clymer then proceeded to read
the testimony of Caleb p. Marsh, taken
yesterday before the Committee, show
ing that he bad paid Secretary Belknap
about $4,000 in consideration OF his sp-
pointment as post trader ut Fort Sill,
Indian Territory. The reading was
listened to with intense interest by the
members OF the House, and by the large
audience IN the galleries. In the
more pathetic portions OF the mar
rative, Mr.. Clymer was frequently
forced by his feelings to pause
until his voice recovered from its
tremulousness, and himself from his agi-
tation. At the close of the reading and
after many of the members who had
taken up positions near the clerks desk X
the better to hear the testimony and &C
companying statements had returned to
their proper seats, Mr.. Clymer, who had
also gone to his seat, again rose and said,
with great emotion, Mr.. Speaker, ] would
not il could and l could not in my pres
ent, condition If / would, add anything to
the facts just reported to the House, and
another occasion may be Afforded
me to do so. They are so
plain that everywhere throughout
this broad land and throughout
christendom wherever the English lam
gusge is read or spoke, they will for
long years constitute u record of often
ces, convictions and crimes, such as there
is no parallel for in our own history or il
that of any country that know of ifin
this hour Of cur history,
one word of sympathy cou.d fad utter.
ance from ne, 1t would be because the
fault OF the late Secretary of war,
is but the proper out growth of and the
true exponent Of the corruption and ex-
travagance of the misgovernment that
has cursed this land for years past. That
being my own reflection, ! will discharge
my duty to myself and this House by de-
manding the previous question on the
adopt on of the resolution.
Mr.. kasson appealed to Mr.. Clymer
to give an opportunity for some sug-
gestions to be made before asking the
previous question on matter offs grave
Mr.. Clymer regret. ed he could not
oblige his friend Several Democratic
members-Ies, yes. and for the reason
that his colleagues on the Committee
desired to be heard after the previous
question was seconded.
Mr. KNson-Allow me TO say that
there will not be the slightest opposition
to the being all heard,
Mr. Clymer-I decline TO yield and
demand the previous question.
M. hasson-Does the gentleman ex-
pcct the House, tonigh. after 5 o'clock,
and without this repOr. being printed, to
vote on these resolutions, when even the
Of The officer at present,
is q point to be considered b. the House.
Mr.. Clymer-Afte- the previous ques-
tion has been ordered will yield half
the hour 10 members CT the committee,
who are on the other side OF the house.
After some further discussion the pre-
yious question was seconded, and Mr..
Clymer yielded the foor t. MS colleague
on the committee, Mr.. Robbins.
Mr. Robbins pleaded his mental and
physical exhaustion from MS continued
service or the Committee Us the reason
why he could not address the House at
any length. lie spoke of the report as
presenting case Of
Great shame ana Disgrace
to all American citizens. As to the ques-
ton of the impeachibii'>y of an officer
who had resigned and he was not pre-
pared - speak, except to suggest that it
could not be believed that an officer who
was being Investigated and who mad
been found by the evidence to be a GRIM
mai could fee from justice. He alluded
TO what he called
Chc Unsccmiy Acceptance of Seere-
tnry Beiknap's Resignation
and referred to the English cases of
Warren Hastings and Lord Frances
Bpcon, both of whom had been impeach-
ed after they had ceased to hold the Offices
in which they had committed crimes and
Mr. Bass-Another member OF the
committed questioned the statement Of
the chairman, Mr.. Clymer, as to this
case having 10 parallel and
sail that Re would not have
TO l,ayc lis own borders in
order to End Mt only Il parallel for it, but
that lie could find cases compared with
which this case WAS as white as the driven
snow. Tie admitted that the mere state
ncut Of this case, rs presented by the
was sufficient to Justify every
member to vote for the resolution pre-
.entcd.
Mr.. Lamar inquired from Mr.. Bass his
opinion as To the impescaaj.lIty Of 3 re-
.i-red officer.
tir. B-ss renlicd that English author
tie. seemed to maintain the jurisdiction
,, Impeathment in such cases, but that
in tai. country !. was an unadjudlcated
question and one that WIS not free from
Doubt. bu. his own bo-t judgment was in
favor ol the right - Impeach, and 10 le:
the question be adjusted by the Senate.
Mr. Eosr. Of Massachusetts, in refer
ance 10 the casual remarks Of some men,
bers rs to this being a political question,
entirely disclairnsd and repudisted such
an idea on the point OF impaacblhlllty OF
a person rot In Office. He referred to
the c 80 Of WLit,emore. of South Caro-.
l.ns. in which the House bad determined
.ha. formal and actual r@nuncIstion OF
an officer terminated his office, and hat
any American citizen could lay down an
Office he'd by him without any acceptance
Of hi. resignation. Judge Story mad laid
down the doctrine tnst 1t could not BE-
done in England; bat there any citizen
could be impeacae5, aad therefore
The English cases Of Warren,
Hastings and Lord Bacon did
st apply IN America. NO man
could be impeached bu. civil officer
and when he ceased to be q civil officer
be ceased to be within the literal descrip-
ton Of the Constitution. In this country
the oaly judgment that could De rendered
in an Impeachment case was remoys.
trou. ONCE and future disqualification
from holding Office, bat by the statutes
pe-soa guilty Of such oE-nsSs could Os
indicted, tired and sentenced b. the
criminal coi-.s Of the country. lie p-"-
tested a~4i,.t DO: haste n tbs ua.,er
w!tbou. having the testimony printed. lie