The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-04-25
RELKN1P,S AHsHER.
Declaring that Cymcr Gnve him the Choice
OF IInpeechment or Keeigrntion.

WAsnINGToN, April A.--Just before the
ONCE Of the Secretary Of the Senate was closed
thi- afternoon, the counsel for william w. Bel
knap nled with Secretary Grahsm Gen. Bel
knap's reJoinder TO the replications OF the
House Of Representatives in the matter Of his
impeachment. A general demurrer is inter
posed 20 TIE first Of the two replicatons alleR-
Ing It's insuficiency. lie next denies the state
mcnt contained I'm tho second replic tion, that
he was Secretary Of War until and including
the 81 day Of March, 1870 He then denies the
assertions OF tho replication to the effect that
he was Secretary OF War until a committee
having authority from the House had investi.
gated bis Official conduct,and asse rts, that up to
the time OF hts resignation the House had not
given authority to any committee to investi-
gate any OF the matters set forth In the charges
made against him In tne articleJ Of impeach.
ment. He aids, that although II Ia true
that the Committee on Expenditures ~ the War
Department hs.. been pretending to make soms
inquiry into the matters set forth In the articles
OF impeachment, but without authority In tnat
behalf from the House Of Representatives, yet
the said committee had not completed its pre-
tended investigation, hut was engaged In tho
examination OF witnesses when said committee
was informed that he mad resigned his Office OF
Secretary Of War. aud that his resisnatiO ON had
been accepted.
AS to the second replication, Delknap rejoins
that, although he did resign hts ofiics as alleged
In the replication, he did not do so with attempt
70 eVade any proceedings of the House to im-
peach him, but on the contrary he AYERS the fact
TO DO that the Committee on Expenditures OF
the War Department. without any authority or
direction OF the House to investigate In regard
TO his of1ciaI misconduct, examined one March,
WHO made statement TO said committee
articles OF i'm pc soh ment az iinst him tjeiknan),
out which was OF such character In respect to
other persons. one Of whom was early con
hffiiot Lin and to make him wIllinx to secure
the suppression OF 30 much OF said statement
.. affected such other pers Jns at any cost to
committee that II they would suppress
that part OF said statement he (Belkntp),
ssseSt sm e tns moSSss SSs SAID Sy
Marsh to have 20 have been received 10y him
from one Evans, but SAID commiltee declined to
Chairman OF the committee, sid that he
should move in the House for the impeacn-
resign bis ONCE Of Secretary Of War before
noon Of the next day. TO wit, March 2,
1876, and he uJeknAp) regarding this decl l.rstlon
by thus resgning avoid the tnhiction insep ir-
able from protracted trial. anu the bumili ltlon
OF Av alIins himself OF the defence disciosed In
blame on said other persons, he yielded
TO the suEsesti IN male by Cymer, believing
and that he would, by resigning his position, Sc
cure the speedy dismissal OF said statement
ssom % ,he ,sls pu6iiS ,o mac He did SO resign, on
mittee 70 Oe notified OF the fact anu OF the ao-
ceptauce OF his resi-. nation By the President, all
quence Of MIR. clymer's SUGGESTION, aud
tnsreupon tho committee decl red that
they had no further duty to perform in
the premises. Belknap, In conclusion.
submits that while the House claims that Mr..
Clymer was acting ia its beh aif In the pretended
and law TO be estopped to deny that Cymer was
also acting on its behalf IN suggesting his (Bel-
knsp'sl reclamation. Mherefore he prays judg-
ment whether the said House ought to have or
maintain tue tmpe ncnment against him.