The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-03-10
From the Maine State Press Of March 0, 1875.
History of Seven Days.
The News for the week ending Wednesda '
Night. March 9.
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.

THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
The great sensation of the week is the revela-
tions made concerning Secretary of War Bel
KNAPP by the House Committee on the expeudi-
lures of the War Department. The witness
was one Marsh. to whom the first Mrs.
Belknap (sister of the present wife) secured
the sutlership of Fort Sill, which he undersold
and Fave portion of the proceeds to Mrs.
Belknap. Gen. Belknap afterwards became
acquainted with the whole matter and also took
the money. When Gen. Belknap was con-
fronted by the statement he practically admit
ted it, resigned, and has kept his house. The
President complains that the Secretary deceived
him about the matter, else he would not have
accepted his resignation. The President de-
sired a criminal prosecution to be instituted at
once, which was done; but Marsh having left
for Canada and the Committee of the House
refusing to testify or furnish the original papers
it is very probable that an Indictment cannot
be secured. 1t is further stated that Gen. Bel
KNAPP has been guilty of fraud in disposng of
the contract for headstones for soldiers in the
national cemeteries. There is nothing positive
about the matter
Early in the week Attorney General Pierre
p0nt was sharply criticised for letter which
appeared in the Western papers, directed to
District Attorneys, giving instructions respect
ing the whiskey ring prosecutions, one point of
which was that when parties implicated in
frauds became witnesses they should not be
promised immunity therefor. 1t appeared in
the Western papers in a modified form, it is
oh tn hal Roho M hos
since issued a letter saying the letter of in
structon was prepared by him and sent to the
President-that the same was never seen by the
President, and he (Mr. Pierrepont) intimates
that some friend of Gen. Babcock stole it be-
fore it came to the Presidents notice and sent
it West for publication, hoping thereby to help
Gen. Babcock. This letter of the Attorney
Generals has caused Gen. Babcock to give up
his connection with the President and leaves
him in a very bad way generally.
The Democratic Congressional caucus has
not yet been able to unite on financial policy
for that party.
TIE Naval Committee have not yet been able
to find any evidence of fraud or corruption
against Secretary Robson of the Navy De-
partment.
The Cabinet position made vacant by the
resignation of Gen. Belknap was offered to
Senator Morrill, of this state, who declined it.
1t was afterwards rendered to Judge Taft Of
Ohio, who accepted.
Gen. Schenck has resigned the position of
Minister to England at the request of the
President, and.Richard II. Dana, jr., of Boston
has been named as his slccessor-an excellent
appointment.
CONGRESS-
1HurSday March I'm the Senate the joint
resolution passed by the House, requesting
towns, counties etc. to hold centennial celebra-
tions and TO take measures to collect local his
tory, was passed. The 1872 pension bill was
recommitted. The bill to set apart portion of
this proceeds of the public lands for an educa-
tional fund and to provide for the more COM
plete endowment of national colleges was laid
over. In the House Mr.. Clymer, of the Com
mittee on the Expenditures of the War De.
partment, reported the testimony on the case
of Secretary Belknap, and introduced resolu.
ton for his impeachment which was carried.
Friday, March BIN the Senate Mr.. Hamlin
introduced a bill fixing the postage of third
class matter as follows: For distance not ex-
ceeding 5000 miles 1 cent for each two ounces
or fractional matter thereof; for distances be-
tween 300 and 800 miles, 2 cents; for distances
between 800 and 1900 miles, cents, end for
each additional 1000 miles cent additional for
each two ounces or fractional part thereof. A
special rate is, however, proposed for transient
newspapers and magazines, namely, cent for
every two ounces or fractional part thereof, for
any distance not exceeding 1000 miles, but for
any greater distance double this rate is to be
paid. The bill also provides that all occasional
publications, prices current, catalogues and
ANNALS and all publications devoted pri-
marily to advertising purposes or for
free circulation at nominal subscrip-
ton rates, shall hereafter be considered
and charged as third class matter The
petition of colored men of Texas, repre-
senting that the present government of Texas
denies them ample school facilities and asking
for such legislation as will compel the state TO
maintain system of free schools. The House
Committee notified the Senate of the impeach-
ment Of Beknap. In the House no business
of Importance was transacted.
Saturday. March 4-Senate not in session,
and the House in Committee of the Whole
considered the Hawaiian treaty.
Monday, March-The Senate considered sew
eral bills but did not take final action on any,
Mr.. Bogy (Democrat) of Missouri said that
free trade was hegotten in England, and that
it had poisoned the whole world, and that our
people had that hydrophobia worse than those
of any other country. In the House, bills
were introduced by the Democrats providing
that witnesses in criminal prosecutions of the
United States or before Congressional COM
mittees shall not be liable for arrest for any
offences disclosed by them in which they were
parties. The Hawaiian treaty was further con-
sidered.
Tuesday March 1.-The Senate considered the
everlasting Pinchback case. In the House
nearly the whole session was spent in the con-
sideration of resolution prepared by Mr. La
mar of Massachusetts,, declaring that the
mandate of the Supreme Court OF the District
of Columbia requiring members of the blouse
Committee on War Department Expenditures
to appear before the grand jury of that court
with papers in order to indict ex-Secretary
Belknap to be breach of the privilege of the
House and directing member of committees to
disregard it. Mr.. Blaine and other Republi-
cans urged that the members of the House
should aid the courts in furnishing guilty par.
ties-that as the Committee had every particle