Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1876-03-10

of the Senate ard there impeach William
W. Belknap. late Secretary of War, in the
name of the people of the United States OF
high crimes and misGemeanOrs when IN
office. and 10 inform that body that formal
articles of impeachment will in due time
be presented, and to request the Senate to
take such order in the premises as they
may deem appropriate.
Mr.. Clymer then proceeded to read the
testimony of Caleb p. Marsh, taken yes
terday before the committee, showing that
he had paid Secretary Belknap about $40
900 in consideration of his appointment
as post trader at Fort Sill, Indian Terri
tory. The reading was listened to with
intense interest By the members Of the
House, and by large audience in the
galleries. In the more pathetic portions
of the narrative Mr.. Clymer was frequent
IL forced By his feelings to pause until his
voice recovered from its tremulousness
and himself from agitation. At the close
Of the reading, and after the many mem
bers who had taken mp positions near the
Clerks desk tthe better to hear the testi-
mony and accompanying statements) had
returned to their proper seats, Mr.. Cly-
mer, who had also gone to his seat, again
rose and said, with great emotion: Mr..
Speaker: ] would not if could. and |
could not lin my present condi:iOn) if /
would, add anything to the facts just re-
ported to tie House. Another occasion
may Oc afforded me to do SO. They are 80
plaiu that everywhere throughout this
broad land. and throughout Christendom.
wherever the English language is read or
spoken. they will for long years constitute
record of official corruption and crimes
such as there is no parallel :or in our own
history, or in that OF any other country
that know OF. II, in this hour, one sen-
timent o. pity, one word of sympathy.
could tiud uttcrauce from me, it would be
because | feel that the late Secretary of
War is but the proper outgrowth, that the
true exponent Of the corruption, the ex-
travagance, the misgovernment that have
cursed the land for years past.
Mr.. Blackburn, Of Kentucky, another
member Of the committee, expressed his
tina, the report which had been
read by his colleague Mr.. ClymerI showed
10 the world that nothing had been left un-
done by the committee TO shield and shell
ter from dishonor every person except the
OHe whom it was the duty of the commit
lee TO investigate and report upon. He
you'd not consent that the gentleman
rom Massachusetts should make this po-
tical or position Of prosecutors and the
other eide should take up the position of
defenders. 1t was n question which ad-
ressed itself alike 10 every member of the
House.
THE RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
MI. Robbins, cF North Carolina, sug
,ested that there was a great difference
between q conviction on i'm peachment and
/ conviction on indictment. In the latter
;ase the man might be pardOned by the
but in the former case he could
not be. AS TO the suggestion as 10 the in
,eachment of Jefferson Davis, he replied
hat il had been decided that Senator could
rot be impeached, net being an officer of
he Uni ted States. The debate being clos
ID the House proceeded to vote on the nso
utions, and they were unanimously dopt-
d. The Speaker appointed as the com-
lnittee to notify the Senate Of the action OF
he House, Messrs. Clymer, Robbins,
Blackburn, Bass, and Danforth, these
comprising the Committee on the
of the War Department
making the report.
IMPEACHMENT OF BELKNAP.
WASHINGTON. March 3. 1876.
At one O'Clock committee of the House
# representatives, composed of Messrs.
Clymer, Robbins, Blackburn, Bass and
Daniorth, appeared at the bar of the Sen
tie, and were announced by Sergeant-at
Arms French. Upon being recognized by
he President pro tent. of the Senate, Dir.
Ilymer said:
Mr.. President In obedience TO the Or
Ter Of the House OF Representatives we
Ippear before you, and in the name of the
Iouse Of Representatives and OF ali the
,eople of the United States of America we
10 impeach William w. Belknap, late Sec
etary of War of The United States, of
ligh crimes and misdemeanOrs while in
hat office, and we further inform the Sen
lie that the House of Representatives will
IL due time exhibit articles of impeach-
nent against him and make good the same
md in their name we demand that the
senate take an order for the appearance of
aid w. w. Belknap to answer.
Mr.. Ferry, President pro teD.. Of ;he
senate said
Mr.. Chairman aud gentlemen Of the COM
ni;,ee The Senate will take an order in
he premises.
During the time occupied by the proceed
ngs there was great interest manifested in
he galleries, which were crowded. On
he floor were large number of persons
ntiiled to tie privilege thereof, and nearly
very Senator was in his seat. Later Oh
ar. EGmonds called up the resolution from
he House and it was read, together with
he statement Of the committee above
mentioned. Mr.. Edmunds then submitted
he following:
Ordered, that the message of the House
4 Representatives relating to the irnpeach-
nent OF William w. Belknap DC referred
o a selec. committee, to consist of five
senator's.
Mr.. Edmunds said he submitted this or
Ter in accordance with the usual custom,
hough he did not see why the matter
hould not go to one OF the regular com
ni,tees OF the Senate. As it was the Gus
ON to have 4 select committee he asked
hat the order be adopted. Mr.. Salisbury
If Delaware, here stated that he was not
amiliar with the precedents, and inquired
the order submitted was in accordance
With them, to which Mr.. Edmunds replied
n the affirmative. The order was then