Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-03-10
THE M TIONAL DISGRACE
The Secretary OF War Confesses 20 Ac.
ceptinR Brides to the Amount Of s2O,-
OOO.-He resigns, ana IL Empeached
by the House.

OOO.-He resigns, and ia RmPeached
by the House.
Washington and the country were thrown
into a state of great excitement, by the an-
! nouncement, on Thursday, of last week,
that VIM. w. Belknap, Secretary of War,
had been proved TO have taken brides TO
the amount of at least $4,000, from man
whom he appointed post trader at Fort
Sill, on the western frontier. The evidence
first came before the House committee on
war expenditures, and with such proof
that left no doubt of its truth. Belknap
was at once summoned before tho COM
mittee, and asked what explanation he had
to offer, when he admitted the truth Of the
charges, and made no attempt TO explain
them. At first, ho desired the committee
TO expuuge certain portions Of the evidence
relating TO his wife, and be offered, in case
the committee would do so, TO admit any
other charge that might he brought against
him. This the com nilLee refused to do,
and the evidence was reported TO the
House Thursday afternoon. Almost every
available spot in the hall was occupied, and
amid the stiffness of funeral Mr.. Clymer,
of Penn, chairman Of the investigating
committee, read the report.
The facts briefly recapitulated, are that
Caleb p. Marsh, of New York, in 1870 was
offered the appointment of post trader at
Fort Sill, through his intimacy with the
family of the Secretary of War. The first
intimation of such an appointment was
made by Mrs. Belknap. Marsh made
ot nit n tpaflnr alpan1U ihnrn
hitting him to continue in consideration of
$4,000 of the annual profits, payable in
quarterly installments. The money thus
received was divided with the Secretary of
War for two years by remittances to Mrs.
Belknap, and subsequently the reduced
amount of $1,000 year agreed on with the
post trader was similarly divided 10y re-
mittances direct to the Secretary. The
amount thus paid Marsh said was not less
than $40 900. These facts, when presented
to the House by the committee, resulted,
after an hours debate, in unanimous
vote for the impeachment of the ex-Secre-
tary, Notwithstanding that his resignation
had been accepted by the President. The
members of the committee that made The
investigation were appointed by the Speak
err managers of the proceedings before the
Senate.
The first intimation President Grant bad
of the fall of his War Minister was commu
nicated TO him Thursday morning, by Gen.
Belknap himself, who called at the Execu-
tive mansion and handed to the President
his resignation. Secretary Chandler was
present at the time. The President mani
tested the greatest surprise at this unex-
pected action, but before he could ask for
an explanation Gen. Belknap made state
ment of the situation, and urged the Presi-
dent TO accept the resignation Immediate
ly. This the President did 10 a brief letter.
which was read in the House, aud now
forms part of the record in the case. Gen.
Belknap, upon receiving the letter of ac-
ceptance, in company with Secretary Chan
dler, imm ediately left the White House,
Senator Morton entering as they emerged.
The President informed Senator Merton Of
the interview with Belknap, and expressed
pain and surprise at the revelations. The
subject appeared so painful TO the Presi-
dent that Senator Morton at once diverted
him from it by making known the bust
ness upon which he called, and took his
departure. The Senator says he never saw
the President so much disturbed as upon
this occasion.
The President thinks the House commit
lee which made the discovery Of Belknap's
corruption did not act with discretion in
falling TO communicate 10 him the evidence
taken. Had the facts been laid before him
previous to the tender of Belknap's resig.
nation, the President said the situation
would now be different and there would be
no occasion 10 discuss the question wheth-
er the House or Senate have jurisdiction in
the case.
The Belknap case was the subject OF cab
met discussion, Friday. The President
stated that while he could take no steps
which might look like persecution Of any
one, he had determined TO shrink from no
responsibility that rested upon him, and
he therefore asked the Attorney General to
take immediate steps TO proceed with Grim
inal charges against Belknap and Marsh
and Tomlinson, and all others shown by
any evidence that shall be adduced to 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 de-
termined upon. The proceedings by the
| Attorney General will not conflict in any
manner with the impeachment by the SEN
ate, except that one case or the other will
| have to take precedence. Probably the
impeachment case will be first disposed of.
Gen. Belknap's counsel will be jerry
Black, ex-senator Carpenter, and Mont
gomery Blair.
In the Senate, Friday, The House Com
mittee appointed to impeach Belknap, APP
peared in the Senate chamber, and amid a
solemn stiffness, the chairman read the
articles of impeachment. The articles were
referred to special committee, consisting
of Senators Edmunds of VT, Conkling Of
N. Y, Frelinghuysen orN. j., Thurman Of
Ohio, and Stevenson of KY, three Repub'
licans and two Democrats.
The Belknap family have lived in mos
extravagant manner, evidently much be-
yond the style which the salary of Cabi
net officer would warrant. Their enter
tainments this winter have been especially
costly and luxurious, and Mrs. Belknal
has been so particularly assiduous in hel
attentions TO the families ofmembers of thu
committee before which these charges arr
pending as to have attracted notice.
Belknap came to Washington a poo
man. When appointed Secretary Of Wa
he was Collector of Internal Revenue il
Iowa. He had always been Democrat
and was almost entirely unknown in lows
politics. He created favorable Impress
L l.. -. lI.n 1l.oni.lnr,h LIN nn,nnnl hn n.,ndI