The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1876-03-10

THE TRt-Tf-SHGULD NOT TIE fREcl-
DENT HIMSELF BE IMPEACHED?
CPhfladeIphia Times Spccial.l
P,1,TfMoRE, March 2.-Captain George
T. Robinson, formerly OF the Icnth United
States Cavalry, and now living i'll this city,
furnishes the following additional informa-
ton concerning ex-Secretary BeIknap's
corrupt partnerships in the profits of post
traderships on tie frontier Captain Robin
son early in the present session of Congress
preferred the charges of corruption before
the Military Committee against Secretary
Beiknap which have led TO the recent
startling developments. Doctor Marsh
was subpouaed by the Committee in ac-
coIdance with suggestions made by Robin
son, who has probably been more familiar
with Gen Bcknap's corrupt practices
than any one else. In 1868 Robinson was
ordered, with his regiment, to the Indian
Territory. AS Engineer of the Military
District. he selected the site Of Fort Sill
and superintended the erection oE the fort.
BY his continued residence at this post for
six wears, he became familiar with the de-
tails of military service on the frontier.
As member of the Post Councjl of Ad-
mnistration, and for a time its President,
it devolved upon Captain Robinson to in-
Quire into the prices charged for merchan-
disc by the post-traders. At this time,
1868 and 1862 the post-tradership at Font
Complaint having been made to the firm
that eXorbitant prices were charged, they
replied that the difficulty could not be
remedied As for the privilege of trading
at the post. fifteen thousand dollars per
wear had to be paid TO w. W. Belknap,
Secretary Of War. This, as was shown,
was lIe contract price. The post council
through Captciu Robinson, then demanded
that the statement Of Evans d Go. should
be put in the form 0f an affidavit. This
was promptly do.'o. a.'d the affidavit was
sworn to III the pres, nee Of several officers
Of the Tenth Cavalry. 1t is now on tile IN
tire records Of the council with other docu-
Tentary evidence of q simi," ci. 9Tactcr.
1t afterwards appeared from stat,. ne. ITS OF
Evans x Co. that the annual paym,1 at
the end of three years was reduced to
twelve thousand dollars. This amount
was by agreement, payable monthly. in ad-
vance. 1t is known, by statements of J.
:. Evans to Captain Robinson, that the
monthly payments were continued up to
March, 1915. The accuracy Of these state
meuts was unquestIOned among the officers
of the Tenth Cavalry and Sixth United
States Infantry, and the facts have for
several years been notorious among army
officers generally. That a like amount was
paid annually To Secretary Belknap by the
post trader at Camp Supply, Indian Terrific
~, is stated on the aUthority.of General w
llaZen. When General Hazen evfnced a
disposition to criticisc the corrupt practices
of his chief he was ordered to a more re-
mete point on the frontier. While the
proof may bc lacking in some instances
there is every reason to believe that Gener-
al Bclknap, since becoming "A member of
the Cabinet has generally participated in
} the profits of the post traderships. About
twenty OF them are very profitable, and the
Secretary has reapcd a rich harvest. The
method OF conducting the business has
been to sell the tradcrships to a middle
man, who, it seems in several instances
was one Marsh, or Dr.. Marsh, of New
York. Marsh then sold the privileges to
tile highest bidder. The country will be
startled. however, when it is known that
Mr.. Grant has for some time been aware
of the irregularities now exposed for the
first time, and that the articles of wal and
/ rules of procedure have been disrcoaroied
! by Belknap iii the promotion of his per
T soEal interests.
! Soon after the discovery Of tie frauds at
/ Fort sill, Captain Robinson. as President
J of the post council, and in the line of his
/ duty, reported the corruption to tie Presi-
. dent through the customary channels -
/ The only result was his transfer to the pos
| lt!on of supervisor OF the issuing of Indian
supplies. In 1878 u more formal report OF
/ the irregularities was made, when Captain
! AhDitiiSOii Wis Ut once OlUGteu on TecGlVifI y
! service at Philadelphia. He was soon af.
! tcrward ordered to this city, and put IN
command of the receiving posthere. From
/ BaitImore, during the latter part of 1874
( he preferred forma, charges OF corruption
I against Secretary Belknap, and forwarded
I proofs and specifications 20 President Grant
| As result of thS@ act, he WAS placed unda:
( military arrest on September II, 1870. II
/ is provided by the act Of Congress- that
No
, OF the army within ten days after his ar
rest; failing to do this, it is further pro.
/ vIded that be shall immediately be set Al
! liberty. Captain Robinson, however. b,
! special order of Secretary Belkuap, was put
under close arrest, and no liberty was al
, lowed him, nor were any charges pre- ferred
until the following spring, when he wa.
/ sent TO st. Louis for trial by commission
organized for the avowed purpose of con
vlcton. Belknap was aUthoIitiveiv report
ed rs saying at the time eff this com
mission don't convict Captain Robinson
then, by -, [ will fix one that will. .
The charges at length preferred were o
alleged frauds, the preferring of unfouud
ed charges against superior officer, etc.
General Beiknap's commission, however
did its appointed work, and Captain Rob
inson was dismissed from service. 70 show
the irregularity of the st. Louis commissot
It is necessary only to state that five of it.
me moers were promoted by the dismissa
OF captain Bobinson. The articles of wa
provide that an officer shall be tried onl,
by his equals or superiors in rank. The
othcers OF the army, while cognixant o
Secretary Belknap's corruption. dared not
protest against them for fear of the perse
cution which would at once have been in
stituted. 1t cannot be doubted that Presi
dent Grant has long been familiar with the
corrupt practices of General Beknap. I
seems certain that, save for the investisa
tlons OF Democratic Congress, the thrift,
habits of our Centennial Secretary of Wa
would have remained hidden for an indefn
lte period. Captain Robinson is about {,
demand an investigation of his case by tin,
military committee of the House. and I,
ask for reinstatement i'm the service Il
is thought that the rocent development
! viii encourage the officers of the army tc
divl.lge whatever information they ma,
i possess concerning the corrlIption of tn,