The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1876-03-21
THE ESCAPE.
How the Witness Marsh Got
Out of the Country.
Tne Democrass Seem Anxious 60 Get
aid ef isis Evidence.

rhs Desnecrass Seem Anxious 90 Get
aid sf ssis Evidence.
The special Washington dispatch TO
the Chicago Tribune. Of March o.
makes the following direct charge that
the Democratic members OF the House
Committee ran the witness, Marsh,
out OF the country;
Mr.. Marsh started for Canada upon
the representation TO him by some OF
his personal friends here that his own
testimony given before the House
Committee would lead to his convio-
tion under the law against bribing gov
ernment officers. He insisted that it
had been strongly represented to him
by Democratic member OF the COM
mittee that he would be thus liable,
and upon being shown the law by this
friend, he was convinced that he might
be indicted, and so actually left town
before the Attorney General or Presi-
dent had seen the evidence.
In fact, neither one OF them even
knew that Marsh had given testimony
before the committee in regard to Gen.
Belknap at nll before he had left the
city with the intention Of going to
Canada. The facts, however, which
have come to light for the first time
this evening fix the full responsibility
for Narsh's absence, and his ability to
start for Canada, on the Democratic
majority Of the committee which took
his testimony. IL appears that Repub-
lican members OF the committee sug-
gested, when Marsh had finished his
testimony, that he ought not to be dis
charged under any circumstances, as
there would be further use for him in
subsequent proceedings.
Mr.. Clymer, however, dissented from
this, and insisted on having him dis
missed, and thus enabled him to leave
the city, which he did almost instantly
After Marsh reached New York infor-
nation was given to the Democrats
that Marsh was about to leave New
York, and inquiry was made whether it
was desirable TO detain him, and, as a
consequence, he was free to leave for
Canada. So far, therefore, from re
sponsibility for his escape resting eth
or upon the President, the attorney
general or upon the Republican mem
bers of the committee, the entire re-
sponsibility seems to rest upon the
chairman and his Dem ocratie associ-
ates. Clymer did this with the concur
renee OF other Democratic members OF
the committee. Ono Of the Republican
members protested, stating that Marsh
would be needed il the House was GO
ing on with the impeachment. Clym-
er replied, that it would be unnecessa-
ry for Marsh to be here, since his testi-
mony had been taken. Clymer then
requested Marsh to accompany him to
the Office OF the sergeant-at-arms, and
he would soc that he was paid his fees
and mileage. Clymer did this, and
thus effectually removed Marsh from
the jurisdiction Of the House.
The partisan falseness OF the charge
that the Republican party have sough ht
to remove Marsh from the country by
using his testimony against him is fur
thsr shown by the fact that the ROWS.
ed Statutes, Sec. 1859, provides that no
testimony given by witnesses before
either House, or before any committee
OF either House OF Congress. shall be
used as evidence against him in any
prosecution for perjury committed in
giving such testimony.