Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-03-04
SECRETARY BELKNdP.

SECRETARY BELKNdP.
If the reports concerning Secretary
Belknap are trae, he has covered his name
with DISGRACE. d.honored the government
of which he was part, and betrayed the
confidence reposed in him by those who
intrnsted him with the position he held.
Judging from the statements published
there can be no doubt of his guilt The
investigating committee, both republicans
and democrats. seem TO agree In report
ing him guilty His crime is moi robbery
of the government, but the making mer
chandise of The influence which he held by
his position in the Cabinet in order to put
money into his own pocket. What amount
has been thus pocketed by him is not
known, but whatever il may have been
none of it was stolen from the govern
menNtreasury--it was the price OF the in
tluence which he welded us a public of
fcer.
The wifi. of Belknap was the agent Of
his ruin. She was itappears ready 10 bar
ter her husbands honor for wealth.
True, he should have resisted the tempta-
ton. but he is not alone as victim to fe-
male vanity, when uncontrolled by reason
or principle. With a.prudent, thoughtful
wife he might rot have fallen. But the
deed is done, and Belknap must pay the
penaly.
The eagerness of the democrats to make
political capital out of the fall of this man
is very marked The melo-dramatic man
ner OF the chairman of the committee in
making his report, speaking apparently
with difficulty through his tears and emo
tons, as though his heart We're nearly bro
ken with grief at the fall of Belknap. and
yet finding language in the midst of his
heavy sorrow to unjustly arrasn the re-
publican party and impudently assert
that the crime was without a parallel, was
scene most disgustingly and intensely
partizan. He has forgotten Tweed and
his plumber of millions from the New York
Treasury. to recover six millions OF which
suit is now in process in the courts.
while Tweed himself is hiding in foreign
land to escape the law. He does not re-
member that Floyd. who held the same
office under James Buchanan, and was the
last example of democratic Secretary Of
War this country has known. stole every
thing that he could lay hands upon in his
department, and converted it to rebel use
in the effort to destroy this government.
These are examples which Mr. Clymer
ought to have remembered, and probably
would but for his overpowering grief and
anxiety to set off his report IN the most
finished partizan manner possible. The
case of Belknap is innocence compared
with those gigantic crimes.
This much must be admitted in favor of
the republican party, that it has never at
tempted to screen republican officeholders
from the consequences of guilt or to cover
up their crimes or misdemeanors. 1t has
boldly called its own members to answer
when charged with heavy offences. 1t
has fearlcssly probed and exposed corrup-
ton in its own ranks. 1t has set an ex-
ample of honesty in these respects such
as the democratic party never did. and
never would though it were installed in
Office next week with promises of reform
bristling in nation, State and county plat
forms.
The republican party itself is sound tc
the core. Men trusted by it may prove
rotten at heart, but the party is strong il
integrity because it seeks and casts on
corruption and dishonesty. Because aJu
das appears in the party and sells himsel
for gold. that is noIevidence that the party
is corrupt. Such reasoning would have
condemned Christianity in its infancy; j
would have covered the apostles with in
fanny because one of their number was
traitor. Beknap will be shielded by nj
republican from the punishment his dee]
offence demands. The republican part,
could only suffer on account of his Grim
by attempting to screen him. That 1t ha
not done and will never do.
The sangre de Christie range of mountains il
Northwestern Colorado appear to be remarkabl,
rich in gold. number of very valuable mine
are located among them, some of the lodes yield
ing from $40 to $3.50 per ton Some ores frou
the jackson lode have asssyed from 5000 Il
$4,000 per ton. The gold belt "a far as pros
pected exteads from Moxo Pass, twenty mile
north. South Mountain is one Of the richest III
the range, and is said to be solid mass Of goi'
quartz Of varying richness.