The Leavenworth weekly times., 1876-03-09
THE BELKNAP AFFAIR.


What Leading Senators said and Thought
The Presidents Rsgrsts-Biographics
Sketch Of Mrs. Belknap.
IN THE sENATE-A PROFOUND SENSATION.
WASHINGTON, d. C., March 2-The news
Of Mr.. Belknap's fall created a profound
impression in the Senate, especiallj among
the Republicans. They were accordingly
solemn, and gathered in groups and con-
versed in low, earnest tones during the
day.
Senator Edmunds said that the exposures
were terrible and sickening. 1t had been
given out by him that he was to speak on
the Pinchback case, but the flying rumors
OF Belknap's resignation and suicide dam
pened the ardor on Louisiana matters, and
Mr. Edmunds said that he should postpone
the delivery Of his speech.
Senator Logan made no concealment of
his regret at the Secretary's downfall. He
characterized it as most terrible calamity.
Mr.. Belknap ought to be tried, impeached,
and sent 10 the penitentiary, the same as my
SELF" said the Senator. "If | were guilty
OF the whisky charges as alleged by the In
dependent press" Mr.. ogan went on TO
say that he and his wife had been criti-
cized because they did not make GIore dis
play in society and give frequent recep-
tions. He was opposed to the reckless ex-
of fashionable people in WASH
ington. He believed in plain living.
Senator Cameron repeated the words,
Terrible, terrible" The only way for
people to live" said he "is within their
means. Mr.. Buchanan and myself used to
pay from 50 to $40 week for board and
two rooms, and we lived we'll. The Scrip
ture is right-'Lead us not into tempta-
tion.'"
Mr.. Spencer, of Alabama, seemed con-
impressed. He exclaimed in
way: There is nothing like
being honest" His enemies, he said,
charged him with all kinds of ini9uities,
even TO stealing sums as small as So, but
he was glad to know that he was innocent,
and could not be impeached. This remark
relieved the solemnity OF those
who heard him.
Cragin, of New Hampshire, was very
much cast down. He was afraid that the
disclosures would lose his State to the Re-
publicans in the approaching election.
Senator Boutwell,, of Massachusetts,, was
detected and appalled, in the extreme at the
sad event, which he could hardly credit,
and he inquired whether it was really
rue. He felt it was a very unfortunate
affair, and seemed shocked at the sud-
ieness of it. 81 think it is very melan-
:holy thing, and it is too bad that it ever
VICE PRESIDENT FERRY
says it is a very sad thing and great
shame to think that a man holding such a
high position of trust could not prove true
to it. He felt very much detected about
il, and thought it was likely to have a bad
effect at the coming elections in New Hamp-
hire and Connecticut. He was aston
shed that Belknap could so far forget him
self.
THE PREsIDENT.-HIs REGRET"
WASHINGTON, ID. C., March 2.-The
Democrats are endeavoring to make capital
,ut of the fact that the President, in his
etter to Secretary Belknap, used the word
regret" The President tonight thorough
v explained this to prominent Western
He said thatl Belknap had
him this morning; that Beiknap
'aid that some scandal had been developed |
he responsibility. The President, upon an
impulse, wrote the letter, and INTENDED TO
.xpress regret that circumstances had made
he resignation necessary. The President
aid that, h I'D he known Of Belknap's per-
'onal acts, he should have informed Bel |
Snap that all official relations must cease. |
He must accept the result of his crime"
he President then emphatically said, "and
no friend of min. will now interpose to save
Gen. Belknap."
MRS. BELKNAP.-wELL-KNow IN CINCIN- |
CINCINNATI, March Mrs. Belknap is
probably better known in this city than in
Inv other place outside Of Washington.
Much of her early married life was passed
lere. She was TomlinsoH, of Harrods- |
burg, Ky, and is q sister of DR.. Tominson
If tha; place. The impression prevails
hat sister of hers was Belknaps first wife.
Her first husband was Mr.. Bowers, a COM |
mission merchant of this city, who died Of
in Florida six or seven years
,go. Your correspondent knew her as Mrs. |
Bowers before and after Bowers death. |
She was living then at the Burnet House in
his city in modest style.
POINTS.
She was always a woman of magnificent |
presence, a tall, stately brunette, with fine |
features, head, and carriage, splendid color,
black, glossy hair, and dark, flashing eyes |
~l-s->s.x, -,
hrong.
THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF IT.
She was married to Belknap in grand /!
,tyle near Lexington, Ky. They stopped |
in this city on their tour, and were given
BY the Hon. Geo. H. Pendleton. |
Ars. Bowers had her wedding trousseau
made by Worth in Paris. A lady said to
ne TODAY: "Worth told me that one of
ner costumes was the finest he had ever
,ent to this country"
BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
LOUISVILLE, Ky, March 2-Secretary
Belknap's wife Is native Of Kentucky, the
Youngest daughter of Dr.. John Tomlinson,
. prominent physician Of Hanodsburg.
Her maiden name was Amanda, and in her
Younger days she was recognized and hon
ored as one Of society's brightest bellies.
During the rebellion she strongly advoca-
led the Union cause, and in many WAYS
testified 10 her devotion for its defenders,
Lending aid and succor to suffer-
ing eoldiera. She vas also very much de-
voted to the Presbyterian Church, but, af-
ter marrying her first husband. John Bow
ers. 4 mercha ant Of Cincinnati, she embrsced
the Episcopal faith. Two yean sgo, after