Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1876-03-10

On Friday the impeachment com
mittee of the House, Messrs. Clymer
Blackburn, Bass, and Danford, ap
peared in the Senate to announce The
impeachment. The galleries were
crowded and the scene was deeply
impressive. The committee as they
entered advanced to the space in front
of the presiding officer arm in aim
when Mr.. Clymer said: "Mr. Presi.
dent, in obedience to the order of the
House of Representatives we appear
before you, and in the name of the
House of Representatives and Of all
the people of the United States Of
America, we do impeach William w.
Belknap, late Secretary of War Of the
United States, of high crimes and
misdemeanors while in office, and fur
Their inform the Senate that the House
of Representatives, will in due time
exhibit articles of impeachment
against him, and make good the same,
and in their name we demand that
the Senate shall take order for the
appearance Of said VIM. w. Belknap
to answer said Impeachment" Mr..
Ferry, President pro tempore Of the
Senate, said "Mr. Chairman and
Gentlemen of the Committee: The
Senate will take order in the pre-
misses" The committee then returned
to the house to report their action.
After they retired the Senate ap-
pointed a select committee, MessIs
Edmonds, Conkling, Frelinghuysen,
Thurman and Stevenson, to take
charge Of the matter. The articles Of
impeachment were reported to the
House on Tuesday and agreed upon.
The trial before the Senate may &C.
cupy several weeks. The President
has also directed the Attorney Gen
eral to take immediate steps to enter
criminal proceedings against Belknap
and every other person shown by any
evidence to have had part in the
guilty transaction. Belknap's resig-
nation having been accepted before
his impeachment the question Is
warmly discussed as to the right Of
the Senate to try an impeachment
laid against a private citizen.
All circles in Washington have
been in a whlrl Of excitement with
these startling disclosures. A de
spatch says very little disposition is
shown in political circles to rejoice
over the terrible state Of affairs de-
velored. 1t is regarded and spoken
Of more in the aspect Of national dis
grace, in which the whole people are
involved, rather than from party
standpoint. Rumors and surmlses
fill The public ear as to the proba-
bilities of further revelations Of frauds
that will make necessary the impeach-
ment Of other distinguished person
ages. Such men as Delano, Ingalls,
Meigs, Shepherd, Williams and Saw
yer are mentioned in this connection,
while it is claimed that the chief
clerk Of the War Department has also
been detected in frauds, and will be
brought to book.
It is conceded on all hands that
the crime is but the natural out
growth Of Washington extravaganza.
Belknap was gallant soldier in the
war, although he won no brilliant
distinction. Letter writers say that
Mrs. Belknap has been the most su-
perbly. dressed lady in Washington.
Her toilets have been Of the most
elaborate and costly description, and
have not been approached in magnnti,
cence by those OF any Of the ladies Of
foreign legations or the wealthlest
citizens. The salary of her husband
would scarcely suffice to dress the
wife. The family have always been
popular in official society, and their
downfall has produced sensation so
profound in social circles that it ls
scarcely equaled by that produced in
political circles.
Sergeant Sullivan, company +, 4th
r e. I..-- 1890, - ~ 49,, i ,pct an Iv L o6