The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1876-03-07
MORE RASCALITY.
Secretary OF War Relknap Re.
signs Ia Escape Impeachment.

Secretary OF War ReIknap Re-
signs Ia Escape Impeachment.
WASHINGTON, Marcl, 2-The report
that Marsh, of New York, testified yes
,erday before the Committee on Expen
ditures in the War Department that he
paid Mr.. Belknsp $4,000 for a post.
leadership and $4,000 yearly since, and
that the Secretary did not deny the truth
of the charge, became generally known
this morning, causing much surpii,e and
excitement in official aud other circles
The President informed several Re-
publican members of Congress this af-
Nrn"on that the first intimation he hsd
of Belknaps malfeasance was from the
lips Of Bslknap himself. AT Rnauthen-
tic rumor prevailed at the Capital early
in the afternoon that Bslknap remarked
to the President this morning, when he
heard Marsh was bound tn testify. 81
wish had killed myself TO which the
President replied, II wish yon had -
This rumor was soon repeated 10 y ma =
nilied form,till it assumed The shape that
Mr. Bclknap had actually killed himself
Many persons, in excitement, believed
the rumor TO he true, and pains wore Ia
ken 10 obtain information to satisfy them
to the contrary. Itwas matter OF sur
prise to every one. that the testimony
implicated Belknap in dishonorable
transactions, more closely than even his
enemies had supposed The conduct ol
Belknap continues to night to be the
theme OF general conversation.
RESOLUTIONS OF IMPEACHMENT AGAINST
wM W BELKNAP,
late Secretary Of War, f,r high crimes
and misdemeanors in Office.
In the midst of great excitement and
with unusual s'illnes. in the house. Mr.
Clymer rose and said: ask the permis
sion of the House to make q report from
the Committee ON Expenditures in the
War Department, which is of so grave
Importance that am quite certain tina,
when it is heard this House will agree
that am Justified in asking permission
AT this time permission was given and
Mr. Clymer taking his position at the
Clerks desk read the following report:
.sThe committee found at the very
threshold Of its investigation. such un
questioned evidence OF the malfsasance
OF Gen. William W. Bslknap, then Sec
retary of War, that they found it their
duty to lay tho same before the House
and they further report that this day al
IL o'clock letter Of the President ol
the United States was presented to the
committee accepting the resignation ol
the Secretary Of War, together with 8
copy of his letter Of resignation, which
the President informed the committee
was accepted this morning. They there
fore unanimously report and demand
that sail VIM. w. Beknsp, late Secreta.
ry Of War, he dealt with sccor,ling to
the law Of the land, and to that end sub
nit herewith the testimony in the case
takeu, together with several statements
and exhibits thereto attached, and also
3 report OF the proceedings OF the com
mittee had during the investigation o.
this subject and submit the following
resolutions:
Resolced, That WIN W. Bslknap, lat,
Secretary Of War, be impeached for higi
G. ines and misdemesnors.
Resolced, That the testimony in th'
case Of WIN. W. Bslknap, late Secretary
Of War, be referred. to the Judiciary
Committee, with instructions to prepar'
and report without unnecessary dala'
suitables articles of impeachment asains
said VIM. W. Belknap, late Secre,-9 =
Resoioed. That committee Of iv'
members Of tho House be appointed ant
instructed to proceed Immediately to th'
bar of the Senate, and there impeacl
VIM. W. Belknap, late Secretary OF War
in the name Of the people Of the Unitet
States, of high crimes and misdemaan
ors when in Office, and to inform tha
body that formal articles Of impeach
ment will in due time be presented, ant
to request the Senate to make such or
der in the premises as they deem appro
pirate.
Mr. Clymer then proceeded 10 rea'
the testimony of Caleb P. Marsh, takel
yesterday before the committee, showing
that he had paid Secretary BelknaI
about $4,000 in consideration of hi
appointment as post trader at Fort Sill
Indian Territory. The reading was lis
tened to with intense interest by tn
members Of the House, aud by the larg
audience in the galleries.