New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-03-06
nov NOT TO TREAT A SCANDAL

HOY NOT To TREAT A SCANDAL.
The Republican party does not appear to
good advantage at present. Its behavior in
regard TO the Belknap scandal since the ex-
posure has been almost as damaging as the
exposure itself. or the obstinate refusal to look
into the charges made four years ago against
the Secretary. Some vexatiOn was natural ana
excusable, when a blow so severe was
received Just before the New-Hampshlre
election, but many Republican organs and
leaders bctray pitiable weakness in their
comments, and show temper OF which
a whipped schOoboy might be ashamed.
They berate Mr.. Clymer because he spoke OF
the scandal as the natural Outgrowth OF Grant
ism. complain because he and his are willing
TO make political capital by the exposure,
grumble because, having evidence enough to
secure "A unanimous vote of impeachment, nc
did not wait longer and get more, and ma
fault because he "let Mr.. Marsh go to Can
"ada,r as if there was any reason to suppose
that n man who had voluntarily revealed
the story would run away before repeat
ing il. These complaints are childish.
We do not remember any case in which
the Republicans have declined to make
official capital by exposing Democratic mis-
conduct. That the exposure came just be-
fore the New Hampshire election is entirely
the fault of the Republicans themselves, who
have had the charge before them for more
than four years, and could have exposed the
fraud at any time in either house, had they
been disposed. 1t appears that Mr.. Clymer's
Committee got at the facts as soon as they
could, and honoraby gave Mr.. Belknap 80
much time to reply that, with the help OF the
President, he was enabled to get out of office
before he could be impcached.
The President may well feel that his con-
duet needs explanation. He must have known
what charges were made against his Secretary
four years ago win President Grant explain
why he never inquired into the matter Not
very long ago. after disagreement which
was supposed TO involve some personal feel
ing. Gen. Sherman removed his headquar-
tiers To ST. Louis will President Grant ven
ture to assert that no hint Of misconduct
in tho War Department reached him
at that time 7 The excuse given for hasty
acceptance of the resignation of Cabinet
officer who acknowledges that he has been
detected i'll misconduct is exceedingly thin.
Are we 10 believe that the Presid mt asked no
questions, made no effort To ascertain how
serious the ohcnse was, and cared no more
about il than To pen thOughtless acceptance
with regret n Did it never occur to him that
people who lived rs the Belknaps did must
need larger income than that of u Cabinet
officer
In Congress, neither Mr.. Ioar nor Mr.. Kas-
son reflected credit upon his party. 1t was no
time for cheap technical objections or shallow
4. oil
deal better had the Republicans promptly and
unitedy declared their readiness to sustain an
impeachment upon the evidence and the con-
fcssi0n of the accused, and offered resolutions
ccnsurng the President for accepting with
"regret," and in such suspicious haste the resig
nation of a Cabinet officer accused four years
before, and known now to be detected Neither
is it quite in good taste for the Repub-
leans themselves TO show more anxiety about
the New Hampshire election than about the
purity of the service.
If the Republicans would profit by their
misfortunes, let them see 80 it that they are
not caught concealing any kind of misconduct
hereafter. Let them DO the first 10 demand
investigation Of the scandals in the Navy De-
partmcnt. Let them propose resolutions di-
rccting the President not TO continue Mr..
Schenck an hour longer as Minister to
England, and suggesting TO him that Gen.
Babcock holds too many responsible offices
for II man apparently saved from con-
viction by the frightening of witnesses
and the exclusion OF evidence Let them
demand the full exposure of those frauds
in Chicago and Milwaukee, which certain
conspicuous Republicans have laborcd so
busily to conceal. Let them show by their
conduct that they most heartily approve tho
course of the Secretary of the Treasury, and
look upon him as the leader OF the party, in
ITS true course The Republicans have n very
hard task before them, at best. They would
better begin to unload as fast as possible
Grumbling at the enemy because his shots tell
is merely babyisb.
TuR TRIBUNE ALMANAC for 1875 has reached its