Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-03-10
Secretary Bslknap.

by the Announcement OF Secretary belknaps |
malfeasance in efice The crime committed
was not enormous in extent but just as rep.
rehensibls in principle as though millions Of
dollars had been involved
The first charge brought against Bslknap
and the one which created the great. sensa-
ton, was the accepting Of bride from Caleb
p. Marsh whom he appointed post.trader at
Fort Sill, Indian Territory. Tho first report
embraced the old old story that the woman
tempted him aud he did cat but later de-
velopments have fastened the guilt of the
first transgression upon the man rather than
upon the woman, though his wifes expensive
habits may have mpelled him to do it,
Belknap was poor man when he was
appointed secretary of war and was living
with his second wife. His wifeIs sister, Mrs
Bowers, lived in the family and afterwards
became the secretarys wife.
II seems that the position Of pOst-trader
was FIRST mentioned to Marsh by Mrs. Bel
KNAPP while she and her sister were visiting
at Marshs in New York city. She prom
ised to prevail upon the secretary to appoint
him and modesty suggested that he be care.
full how he offered presents to the secretary
as she had known him to expe men from
his Office who had tried to bride him, Soon
: after he received his appointment Mrs. Bel.
KNAPP died, and while Marsh was attending
her funeral Mrs. Bowers advanced the sub
ject of his appointment and informed him
how he could transmit their share Of the
money.
1t turns out that the position Of post-tra-
der is in many instances a very remuneIa-
tive one. With large government patronage
and small consciences the traders by furnish
ing the United States troops and the Indians
with supplies manage to make large sums
of money every year, sometimes amounting
l. to $4,000. sd. .......
Marshs predecessor was SO 10th to give up
the loaves and fishes that no offered Marsh
$4,000 per year to allow him to remain in
his position. This bonus was accepted.
This occurred in 1870. Marsh had
made an arrangement with the secretary
whereby he was to give him one-half Of
the bonus money as often as he should
receive it. The first installment was &c.
900 aud was paid to Mrs. Bowers a short
time before she was married to the secretary.
, After that the money was usually trans
mitted to the secretary himself to the amount
of $4,000 per year. The present Mrs. Bel
KNAPP is said to be a very handsome woman
and after her marriage aspired to be the
! belle Of Washington society. She obtained
many of her dresses from the most expensive
establishment in Paris and much OF her fur
niture came from the same city. They gave
NJ. large and expensive parties. Mrs. Belknap
was petted and praised by the butterfly ele-
ment Of society. She enjoyed her suprem-
acy aud was fascinated with the gayeties of
>, fashionable life. The secretary enjoyed his
wife's couquests and his infatuation made
him an easy victim of the tempter's charms
=, All this extravaganza required money in nc
stinted amounts The secretary's salary IL
$4,000 year, which was insufficient to sup
3 port such luxurious living aud elegant style
- Hence the resort to criminal measures tC
8. supply the exchequer. Thus the ball ROLLED
: on. The parties feeling secure and no
dreaming that they were standing on grounC
On which was soon to open and swallow then
n. up, swept along in the dizzy whirl Of fashion
MT the admired of all their associates. Blu
IS. tho devil, when he has developed his victims
d. in his tolls, never helps them out.
ID And now swift revenge appears upon the
scene of action in the persons of some repro
IN bate army officers who had been expelled
70 from the service in dishonor. One, who ha,
he vengeance in his heart toward the secretar.
IN of war, had obtained some clue to some ir
es regularity in the post at Fort Sill which com
nv promised the honor of Secretary BelknaE
ny He c6operated with congressional commit
to tee in investigating the matter and the rcsul
W. has been what is, in substance, stated above
vii On learning that Marsh had been summone
no before the committee, the secretary eithe
VS.. from feeling of security in his career {
III. dishonor or from fear that any attempt t
.rd evade Investigation would create a suspisio
nv of fraud more dangerous than that whic
he occasioned the summons, advised Marsh
to boldly meet the committee.
las This Marsh is rather a curious compos
y; ton Of fraud and honesty. While standir
ust ready and open to opportunities for illc
gain and cOrrupting government officials,
in could not tell a lie. Taere is still hoI
mt for the continued existence of our COVER
ase ment and the restoration of primitive ofici
pe. integrity when the minons of cabinet of
Ow GERS though perfectly willing to steal fC
BIT them yet will not lie for them under oath.
in Since the first startling revelation, 9th,
bt- instances Of Belknap's irregular means
aid raising revenue have come to light. In
government contract for soldiers head. stone
ery he gave the contract to the highest bidd
the for a consideration Of 100000. Bon
TO- money has been paid him for numerous 9th
of post-traderships; butt to be hoped that son
ion of the reports are without foundation in fac
The House committee on the judicia
asst have prepared twenty.eight articles of il
ney parchment against BOlknap which are to
ded presented to the Senate. 1t seems to be
i'm. question whether or not BelknAp is now
of civil officer and can be impeached. Th