The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-03-07
BABCOCK AND BELKNAP
News and Notes About the No
tOriOus BIS.
Offices They Never Held and Others
They Wish They Had Not.

By American Press Association to the STAR.
WASHINGTON, March Tin reg ard tc
General Babcock fact may be stated
that has been known for years to all
who have taken the trouble to inquire
into the matter, and it is that Gen. Bah.
cock never held any official position con.
nected with the Executive Mansion, and
his name has never appeared upon the
rolls to that effect. His only recognized
official position has been that of Com.
missioner OF Public Buildings and
Grounds, and he simply occupied desk
in the Secretary's office OF the Executive
Mansion.
When Gen. Porter retired Mr.. Luckey
was promoted to Office of Secretary of
President, and when Mr.. Luckey retired
last week u. 8. Grant, jr.. was appointed
in his place. While Gen. Babcock occu-
pied desk at the Executive Mansion,
lie assisted in performing various duties
OF Secretary, but ON the authority OF
the President he was never recognized
as his Secretary.
Col. Fred. Grant, has been or
dered to Chicago, preparatory to be-
ing transferred to duty on the plains.
Some OF the most prominent members
OF the Republican party, including Sem
ators and Representatives, have earn
estly represented to the President the
great necessity for some immediate
change in the policy OF the administra-
tion in regard to appointments to office
and some other matters. Tney have en-
deavOred to impress on his mind the i'm
portant TACT that the Government must
make certain concessions to public opin-
ion, otherwise the Republican party will
be doomed to defeat III the next elec-
tion.
In this connection ii is stated that
there are to be very shortly, as soon as
the list can be arranged, wholesale re-
moyals of obnoxious officeh FOLDERS, and
the appointment in their stead of men of
known character and ability.
General Babcock has removed his pa
pers, &C., to the headquarters of the Su-
perintendent Of Public Buildings and
Grounds. 1t is said by some of his
friends that he will shortly resign the
position of superintendent of Public
Buildings and Grounds, and also retire
from the army.
The Committee having in charge the
Impeachment case against EX-Secretary
Belknap will not ask to have articles
formally communicated to the Senate on
the day of their presentation to the
House. They will report them to the
House to-day and ask 10 have tue arti-
cles recommitted, and will ask power to
send for persons and papers, an author
ity which they do not possess. They
VIII then proceed to inquire into other
charges.
Many members of the House have be-
come convinced that if they would get
at the bottom of frauds perpetrated by
officials in high places, they must have.
some law which will give witnesses
freedom from arrest from any evidence
they may give; hence two propositions to
carry this into effect, were introduced
into the House. They think that the
passage OF such an act will induce Mr..
Marsh to return and prevent other wit
nesses from running away.
The policy of the Republicans in the
House now seems to be not to object to
any investigation that the majority may
desire, and hence when resolutions were
offered to investigate the conduct OF the
officials in the Safe Burglary trial and
st. Louis trials, the Republican men,
bers, under the leadership of Blaine,
said "No objection" and the resolutions
were adopted unanimously.
Yesterday Messrs. Benson and Hor-
applied to Judge Smell for warrant tor
the arrest of Ex-Secretary of War VIM.
W. aBelknap, stating that the paper was
only to be used in case they had reasons
to apprehend that he would attempt to
leave the city; that the purpose OF the
was to obtain an indict-
ment from the Grand Jury proceedings,
to obtain which, efforts would be COM
menced at once.
The warrant was issued, but 1t was
suggested that it should not be served
until to-day. MAJOR Richards called at
Mr. Belknap's residence to relieve the
Secret Service men who had been placed |
IN the house, and there found Colonel
W Washburn, of the Treasury force, with |
some Of the Secret Service men. Gen. |
Belknap was sent for, when Major Rich
nds remarked that lie had warrant
or his arrest, but at the request Of the |
District Attorney, he would not serve it. |
Meantime, however, it was his duty |
% place an officer In the house and Off |
,ers outside, and he hoped it would not
ncommode him. General Belknap ap-i
)eared much embarrassed and his ap-
pearance showed he has undergone |
sreat mental agony. He answered in a
fery low tone that he would have to ac-
sept the situation. He then said, did |
understand you to say there was a
for my arrestT' The Major
in the affirmative and with.
rev. He left one officer in the house
md one In front and one in rear.
All members OF the Committee ON Ex.
'enditures of the War Department, and
DR.. Knott, Chairman Of the Judiciary
Committee, have been summoned to ap.
'ear before the Grand Jury in the Bel
,nap case. Itis stated that while Marsh
vas in the custody of the Committee
'elknap was disposed to admit All the
harges against him, but with Marsh out
I the country the case is very different,
nd he will admit nothing, thus forcing
he Committee on the defensive.
The statement that Belknap can not
rocure bail is erroneous. 1t Is UNDER
TODD by his friends that he had his bail
eady, but by his couhseps advice he L
ecided to wait until to-day and then 90
nto court and demand hearing. The
issued for his arrest will be
erved this morning, and In company
nth his counsel he will proceed to the
'ohce Court and demand a hearing.
WASHINGTON, March 7.--Mr. Oryille
rant denies in the most emphatic
arms that there is any reason for con-
Getting his name with the post trading
'auds. He invites the most thorough
lvestigation. /,
At wedding, recently, when the off,
ttxr tkn..t n. y NJ :