The Portland daily press., 1876-03-04
BELKNAP'S FALL.
HOW THE INVESTIGATION
ORIGINATED.
The Secretary to be Prosecuted
Before the Courts.
The Senate Notified Of the Impeachment
Proceedings.
Marsh's statement Corroborated.

NIarsh's Statement COrrOborated.
WASHINGTON, March Seen Belknap has
not left his house since yesterday, and in the
meantime has been callel on only by few in
innate friends.
Marsh's Story COrrObOrafed by the Fort
Sill Traders. T='
ST. LOUIS, March 3.-The DEVELOPMENTS at
Washington have caused profound surprise
The partner of Evans, post trader at Fort Sill,
is Fl. j. Fisher, Vice President of the Security
Bank here. He substantially corroborates the
testimony OF Marsh, relating to the business of
the post, the payment of ST.. 900 per year bonus
subsequently reduced to $4,000, and other mat
tiers connected with the affair. Fisher says he
knew nothing of the connection of Secretary
BelKnap with 1t, but was told by Marsh that
the bonus was for political purposes and was
used for the advancement of the interests of
the Republican party. Evans will be here in a
few days from Fort Sill, when both expect to
go to Washington, and will probably tell what
they know about the matter.
The Proceedings in Cougress-The Senate
Notified of the Late secretary's Impeach-
ment. r.
WASHINGTON, March Sin the Senate at
one o'clock committee of the House, consist.
ing of Messrs. Clymer, Robbins, Blackburn.
Bass and Danford, appeared at the bar of the
Senate. and were announced by the Sergeant
at Arms. Upon being recognized by the Pfesi-
dent pro tenn of the Senate, Mr. Clymer said:
Mr. President: In obedience to the order
of the House of Representatives we appear be-
fore you, and in the name of the House of
Representatives and of all the peoole of the
United Statds Of America, we do impeach
the United States, Of high crimes and misde-
meanors while in office, and we further inform
the Senate that the House of Representatives
will in due time exhibit articles of impeach-
ment against him and make good the same,
and in their name we demand that the Senate
liam w Belknap to answer" A =
The President pro TEN said: 90.
"Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Com
mittee; We, the Senate, will take order in the
premises" gEr..-
The committee then retired - .-f.--,.
When the committee appeared in the Senate
there was great sensation in the gallery, which
was packed. The presiding officer was COM
PEELED to demand order in the chamber before
recognizing the COMMITTEES.
In the House at II o'clock the call of the
committees was Interrupted by the appearance
at the bar of the House of the committee APP
pointed yesterday to notify the Senate of the
action of the House in regard to the late Secre-
tary Belknap. Mr.. Clymer made the following
report:
MT. OptdhtI,-lu OUeul6uC6 10 the OrQer OF
the House, we proceeded to the bar of the Sem
ate and ih the name of the House and of all
the people of the United States of America,
we impeached, as we were directed to do, Will
liam W. BelknaD. late Secretary of War of the
United States, of high crimes and misdemean-
ors, while in office, and we demanded that the
Senate shall take an order to make him appear
before that body to answer for the same, and
announced that the House would soon present
articles of impeachment and make them good"
10 which the response was made: rs
"Order shall be taken"
The committee retired and the regular busi-
ness of the House was proceeded with.
How Belknap was Exposed
| George A. Armes, who has ferreted out the
scandal, is we'll known here as a Virginian
who was loyal, and whose service in the Union
Army as volunteer was rewarded by COM
mission in the regulars. He was assigned to
duty on the frontier, and so distinguished him.
self in skrmish with the Indians that he was
promoted to a captaincy. Having some trouble
with his superior officers, he preferred charges
against three of them, when they turned round
and presented charges against him, aud with
the aid, as he alleges, of Secretary Belknap,
got him dismissed. He, however, followed up
the charges against the officers, got them con-
victed, and two are now serving out sentences
in prison on this account, and every session of
Congress since he has been before both Houses
for redress. By perseverance he has, however,
carried all his points, except being restored to
the army, and only few weeks ago Senator
that purpose. He has had many bitter, per-
sonal wordy alterations with General Bel
KNAPP, has defied him, and in language more
forcible than polite has informed him that
he would yet defeat him and get his rights.
Meanwhile ArmeS went into business here as a
real estate agent, and among those who called
upon him to rent house placed in his charge
last December was Representative Lewis of
Alabama, an ex-Confederate officer. During
the negotiation for the house, Armes told Lew
is that be was formerly in the army, and was
in possession of facts against Gen Belknap
that would force him to resign his position as
Secretary. He said that he had been dismissed
from the army on account of the personal en-
nifty of Belknap, and if some member of Con-
gress would take hold and help him, he would
in sixty days force Belknap to leave his posi-
ton. Lewis rendered his services and laid the
matter before Mr.. Randall, who advised that
the matter be LAID before Mr.. Clymer for his
committee to unearth. Armes furnished list
of witnesses, but as they testified to but few
facts Mr. Clymer began to suspect that he was
dealing with them in bad faith, especially as
when Belknap was notified of the matter; he
informed them that Armes had offered, ii he
could be renstated in the army, and certain
other conditions were complied with. that he
| like blackmail, but Mr.. Lewis urged that mas
much as a list of witnesses had been furnishe
by ArmeS 1T would be best to summon them all
and see what there was in it. Among the wit
nesses was Mr.. Marsh, and after some Difficult.
Guilty his attendance was secured, with the re-
suit already known to the world.
Belknap to be Prosecuted CriminaIIy.
The Cabinet met at noon today with all mem.
bers present. and renamed in session till after
o'clock. The subjects that received co nsider-
alton were the institution of criminal proceed.
ings against ex-Secretary Belknap and those
associated with him in the practices of bribery
and corruption just officially discovered. and
the selection of new Secretary of War. The
President stated to the Cabinet that while he
could take no steps which might look like per.
secution of any one, he had determined to
shrink from no responsibility that rested upon
him, and he therefore asked the Attorney Gen.
eral to take immediate steps to proceed with
Messrs. Marsh and TomlInson and others,
shown by any evidence that shall be adduced &c
have had part in the fearful transactions that
were the subject of attention.
Upon this determination of the President,
there were full and thorough expressions OF
opinion favoring the action the President had
determined upon without delay.
The peculiar character of the case of General
Belknap's offence, differing as it does from any
ordinary case of bribery, was a subject of dis
cusson, the result of which was the reference
of the entire matter to the Attorney General
ANSSooaAJ
inal proceedings as soon as the facts can be put
into shape to be sworn to. AS part of the discus
sion 1T was mentioned that there should be no
delay in the proceedings because of the pro.
gress of an impeachment trial. The two trials
will be entirely independent of each other.
Judge PierrepOnt remained at the Executive
Mansion short time after the Cabinet officers
had gone to their respective departments fol
the purpose of getting what facts the Presiden!
might be possessed of.
Belkn"p's Successor NOT Selected.
The discussion relative to the appointment Of
the successor to Secretary Belknap was of con.
siderable length, but no decision was reached
and there will probably be another Cabinet SEES.
sion about it. The assurance is given that tine
person who will be appointed to the Office will
be man of high character and known posi-.
ton.
WINSLOW.