Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1876-03-08
Secretary of War Belknap-His
Disgraceful Practice.

mas Deen Slaft.eI Dy Ine announce
ment from Washington city that the
Secretary of War, General Belknap,
is guilty of receiving money for ap-
pointing men to Office. The imme-
date case of exposure is this: There
is fort for the protection of the
frontier, and for trading with Indians
in the Indian Territory named Fort
Sill. As Is the case at all srch places
il is the custom to have number of
United States soldiers there. Each
and every station, fort or post of the
character of Fort Sill is accorded
the privilege of having store, from
which goods are sold to the soldiers,
and traded to such Indians as may
choose to barter there or at such
places. The store-keeper Tor a post
was, OF IS, one Of appointment by
the Secretary Of War. Several years
ago a man named Caleb p. Marsh,
who was, and now is, in close friend
ly relationship with both the Secre-
tary of War and his family-had the
ladies' of the household Of the Secre-
tary to meet his family in New York
city. The stay Was protracted IN
consequence OF the sickness of Mrs.
Belknap After she recovered from
the sickness she suggested to Marsh
that he ask the Secretary Of War for
III appointment to one CT tie forts
or posts in the Indian territory. The
suggestion found a lodgment in the
mind OF Marsh. He asked for the
appointment of store keeper, or, as
it is sometimes called, post-traoer, at
Fort Sill. The fort had a store
keeper In the person of John 5
Evans, who was to be removed.
Evans discovered that he was to be
removed, and at once saw Marsh.
The two men agreed that there should
be no. removal, but in heu Of that,
Marsh should be taken In and receive
the sum of twelve thousand dollars
annual Y from Evans, payable in in
stallments as agreed upon by the
parties. The agreement was carried
out. Evans did the business at the
fort. Marsh received the twelve thou
sand dollars in New York where he
lived. and thence by check and in
various other ways payed General
Beiknap one-half of the amount that
he received from Evans, which would
be SIX thousand dollars per annum-
The business had been IN operation
for some time, long enough for Marsh
to get forty thousand dollars, half OF
which-twenty thousand dollars
was paid to Secretary Belknap.
The exposure was brought about
by man named Arms, who had been
discharged from the army, telling a
member of Congress that be knew
parties who could tell Of the crooked
work Of the Secretary of War The
Congressman informed the Conmit
tee or Expenditures IN the War De
partment of what he was told. The
parties pointed out by Arms wert
summoned and testifed-Marsh II
the number-to the facts as Just
stated When Belhnsp learned that
his practices were found out, be
immediately hastened to President
Grant. ard IN fearful humility ten
dered his resignation of the Office O.
secretary of War" President Grant
accepted his resignation. On th,
assembling of Congress, ON the 2nt
inst. the chairman Of the Committe'
on Expenditures of the War Depart
ment asked permission to report
The request was granted, and b.
their report the country is informeo
of the disgraceful proceedings OF tn
late Secretary of War. A resolution
of impeachment was immediate o.
fered. and unanimously passed.
I. was a great fall. and the who'll
Nation feels humbIed IN consequSnc
of it. The country is shocked T.
realize that Cabinet officer shoul'
be guilty of peddling out the Office
that he controls to the highest an
best bidder The desire to i've
snowy life st the Capital OF the 81
public. it Is believed was the caus
that led t. Secretary into the co,
rupt practices just revealed to th
public. 1: is false notion of wha
constitutes dignity that has got hol
Of most of the men who are sent t
Washington. They act as ii sho'
and extravagance constituted the dig
nifty of the place. They have shoe
DIV estimate of the worth of a plac
in the government of the Natioi
The great mass of the people have
far higher estimate of the place thi
such men as Belknap disgrace. !
their estimation the place itself is Il
thing above price. The show Of Il