The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-13
ON THE RhGGED EDGE.
What the Investigating Committees are Doing
nnd what they Expect TO do.

wAsnINGToN, March 12.-Some days
must necessarily elapse before the Committee
on the judiciary will be prepared to report
articles Of impeachment against Beknap, no ma
terial testimony, n any at ALL having been taken
since that OF Marsh, which under present cir
cumstances Is OF no avail In support OF tho
charges which the House has already Informed
the Senate II will make good. II is said that
more than week ago six or seven persons In
the vicinity OF Marsh and Evans's late trading
post were summoned, and that Their arrival
may therefore soon be expected.
In response to a question recently to a mem
Der Of the judiciary Committee. he said that
proof could be procured Independently of that
OF the witness Marsh. to abundantly support the
charges already made Nothing has been hoard
OF Marsh apart from what has appeared In the
NEWSPAPERS; but some members Of Con gress 4
press their belief that Marsh will return II Con
Rress passes the bill securing him from arrest In
connection with Belkn maps offence.
Since the investigations have begun many let
tcrs are daily received here, not a few from
anonymous sources, designating alleged frauds
and the names OF persons charged with COM
mittnc them In different branches OF the public
service. The Chairman OF the CommiUee on
Expenditures in the War Department (Nr. ely
mer) has received much voluntary information
In letters addressed TO him by persons who seem
TO think that he is the chief Investigator OF all the
wrong doing now charged to public officers.
Those not pertaining to matters before the
committee are sent to the other committees for
their Information.
The Committee on Foreign Relations expect
70 examine ex-senator Stewart on or before the
26th Inst. concerning his connection with the
Emma Mine; and 1t is expected that ex. Minis
ter Schchck, who left England for America
more than week ago, VIII appear before the
committee as soon "a he can reach Wa hingtpn.
The Department OF State has not yet answered
the note OF the committee asking for tho actual
date OF the resignation Of Gen. Schenck. aud al
notes and telegrams In the same connection.
George III. Pendlcton was anxious Yesterday o
be examined before the Committee on Ex-
penditures In the War Department, but "a tho
committee adjourned on Frlday until Monday
morning, he Will appear tomorrow.
The members Of the Committee on Naval Az
fairs say there Is an implied obligation To keep
their present proceedings from the public (;
therefore, but little can be learned concerning
the exacupoints now before them. II Is not
concealed, however that tho examination Is
general as to contracts, and "a to the allowance
by Secretary Robson Of claims which had been
rejected or disallowed by Mr.. Welles, his prede-
cessOr.
WASHINGTON, March IL. The Grand
Jury cannot find any indictment against ex-Sec-
retary Belknap In the absence OF Marsh, the
principal witness. The Assistant District At
torney Gays that the evidence presented thus
far to the Grand Jury is insufficient TO warrant
II in bringing In an indictment, and II Il more
than probable that unless Marsh can be brought
back to testify 1t will be impossible to punish
Belknap through the medium OF q criminal
prOsecutiOn.