The New York herald., 1876-03-03

ceve the price Of fraud, disgust and Indignation at
the msanness OF the criminal and the sordidness OF
the crime took possession Of the people
THE PRESIDENTS ACTION
When the letter OF the President was read stating
that he had accepted the secretarys resignation
halfpast ten O'Clock, there was a murmur OF amaze
ment at what looked everybody then like an act
lberatcly intended TO shield Mr. Belknap, but when
the terms Of the letter were read in which the Presi-
dent tells Mr. Belknap that he accepts his resignation
with great regret people to each other with in
dgnaton at something which seemed to them an open
defiance OF decency and of public opinion On the
publican side there rowns, for it was felt and
openly Acknowledged that these words ndefensi-
BILE and indecent The report gave great satisfaction by
reason Of its fulncss Of detail
THE sEcRErARYs PROPOSAL TO coSFEss.
II left but one point unexplained, and this is per-
haps the best place to explain it, II alluded propo
sition made by Mr. Belknap 10 the committee by his
counsel, Mr.. Montgomery Blair As this rejected
the committee did not embody it in .helr report Mr..
Bcknaps proposition 'rhat II the committee
would so report the facts leave Mrs. Belknap's
share in the transactions unmentoned he would give
them a written confession of his crime. " This
necessarily rejected true report could in such
have been made, and to consent would
have placed the committee In fatally
false position. Moreover, It evident from
the explanatory letters submitted by two OF tho COM
mttee that attempt had been made during the
Of the investigation to entangle them in somo
way make them incapable Of acting effectively
Cruel the exposure OF seems in this case,
Mr. Clymer read on, 1t was generally admitted that
the committee had performed necessary, though
painful act OF duty-the more necessary because the
gossip OF Washington had already spoken of the friendly
relations which existed between Mr.. BelKnap's family
and some members OF the committee.
QUESTION IMPEACHMENT
When Mr.. Clymer done reading he returned to
his and announced that he should now move the
previous question upon the question that the House
do impeach General Beiknap before the bar
of the Senate. At this point Mr. Kasson
and Mr.. Hoar demurrcd, pleading that the hour
and that delay for reflection was advisable,
but the motion of Mr. Cymer prevailed and thercupon
an hour was consumed In debate. in which there
was attempt at sparring by Mr. Hoar but with
success, upon minor points.
The members OF the committee, republicans and
democrats, occupied most OF the time. Mr. Bass,
republican, OF New York. made clear and forcible
statement OF the case that side; and Mr.. Black
burn, OF Kentucky, democrat made one Of the most
brilliant and effective speeches of the session. and
which has made him a man OF mark in the House.
rnE EpYEcr or BELKNAP's RETIREMENT.
The discussion turned mainly the question OF the
power OF the House 10 impeach person who had re-
signed Office and Mr. Blackburn with great spirit but
in admirably impartial tone asserted the power and
dignity OF the House, and brought down burst of ap-
piause when he said that, IL It were true that the
House in such this was powerless then
IL must be the old ground that the King can do no
wrong for gave the President the power to shield
offenders by accepting their resgnatons but he said,
though may be true that the King can do no wrong,
el.s
the President do wrong. There he touched the
feeling or Indignation which had filled all faces when
the Presidents letter accepting Beknaps resignation
was read and galleries and House applauded.
THE VOTE FOR IMPEACHMENT UNANIMOUS.
The House was evidently humor 10 listen { o
abstract discussions OF its lack oil power the prem
ises and Mr. Hoars attempts to interrupt tho speak
ers gave annoyance especially as II was presently
that the vote for presenting articles of mpeach
ment would be unanimous The democrats plainly
determined TO come to a conclusion and thus gave up
an excellent opportunity to make party capital
out OF long debate, in which the republicans
who should oppose their motion must have
placed themselves and their party in a
false position before the country OF seeking to shelter
q criminal because he a member Of the admins
ration Finally the taken vira roce and there
we're no nays Thereupon tho impeachment Commit
tee was named by the Speaker, and the House ad.
iourned after one Of its most evenu and exciting
sons.
THE IMPEACHMENT COMMITTEE
The committee deputed to impeach Mr. Belknap at
the bar Of the consists OF Messrs Clymer Rob-
bins Blackburn, Bass and Danforth, the same who
form the Investigating Committee which brought in the
report
leading republican member remarked that he thought
the Presidents right accept Beknaps resignation
ad hut hat he had n undo
power to impeach him after his resignation was ac
ceped and the terms Of regret used By the President
were a fatal blunder.
The committee late in reporting to the House.
because they had, at Bclknap's request, given
him till three O'Clock to make another appear
ance before Them but they waited for him until
half past and then, he gave sign in
report 1t IS probable that the House will tomorrow
ask the President TO report to II for what purpose he
accepted Bcknaps resignation in the face Of the pro-
ceedings OF the House Committee against him II IS
now known that the President know OF the circum-
stances which involved and incrminaied Mr.
Beknap before he accepted his resignation The com
mttce have in their possession express receipts for
money sent BeIknap by Marsh and other subsidiary
evidence which they did not think necessary To pro-
duce to-day.
THE FEELING SENATE
The news Of Mr.. Bclknap's fall created a profound
impression In the Senate, especially among the re-
publicans They were exceedingly solemn, and
gathered in groups and conversed in low
earnest tones during the day. Senator Edmunds
said that the exposures terrible sckening II
had been given by him that he speak in the
Pinchback case, but the flying rumors Of Belknap's
resignation and suicide dampcned the ardor Louis
lana matters, and Mr.. Edmunds said that he should
postpone the delivery Of his speech. Senator Logan
made no conccalment OF his regret at the
Secretarv's downfall He characterized II as a most
terrible calamity aud said that his resignation ought not
TO have been accepted by the President Mr Belknap
ought to DC tried, impeacncd and TO the Pencn-
tary. the same myself" said the Senator.
ali were guilty OF the whiskey charges, as
alleged by the independent press" Mr. Logan
say that he and his wife had been criticised
because they did not make more display In society and