Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1876-03-09

make the examination, but he did no
eondeScsnd to pay any attention to thei
communication. The committee sum
moned a number Of witnesses, but most
not all of them had no lal knowl
edge of the matter inquired into. FINAL,
MIR. Marsh, waO had the post at Fort Sill
in the Indian Territory, was brough
before the committee. He was one HhC
it was alleged, had paid out valuable
consideration. The committee had diff
Guilty in getting hold of Mr.. Marsh. lie
at first refused to come, and secr:ted him
self, and was finally brought here from
New York in the custody of Deputy
Sergcant-at>ArmS.
Mr.. Marsh testified that he had paid
tho late Mrs. Belknap, and after heI
death to the Secretary himself, from
$4,000 to $4,000 annually since 1870 for
the appointment of pOst>trader at Fort
Sill. The first money was paid and also
the annual stallments.
THE SECRETARY BEFoR THE COMMIT,
TEE.
With this evidence in their possession
the committee summoned Gen. Bclkuap
before them. He appeared ycsterda y
accompanied by Mr.. Montgomery Blair
as his counsel The evidence Of Maj sh
was read to him and he did not deny it,
out on the contrary admitted its truth.
HIS RESIGNATION.
Gen. Bclknap, of course, knew after
his interview with the committee that the
facts of his guilt would all be made
known to the world to-day, and that the
resolution for his impeachment would be
presented in the House. This morning
be went to the War Department at tho
usual hour, but remained only few min
utes. lie then walked over to the White
House and Immediately went up stairs to
the Presidents office. informed HIM of
what ho had done and handed him his
resignation,
EFFECT ON TIE PRESIDENT.
The President was overwhelmed with
surprise. and could scarcely find words in
which to express himself. Coming right
on the heel Of the whisky business in
which others of his trusted friends have
been mixed up, this new development of
the unworthinets Of those whom he has
around him both shocked and grieved him.
He did not indicate any desire to hear
any futher attempts at explanation, but
rose and walked down stairs, Mr.. Bclknsp
keeping by his side. AT this time Sec
retary Chandler came in, and soon after
Senators EdmuDds and Morton. Score.
tary. Chandler and Gen. Belknap then
left The Executive Mansion together.
MIR. Belknap was accosted by two or three
persistent lnterviewers on the way, but
he declined to hold any conversation, say
ing that be had not time. The President
promptly informed Senators Edmunds
and Morton of the Hondidtion of affairs.
The intelligence had such an effect on Mr..
Edmunds that it actually made him sick,
and he was unable to deliver in the Sem
ate to-day the speech which he had pre-.
pared on the Pinchback case.
TIE TOWN GOSSIP.
The affair his been, of course, the sole
topic of conversation in all circles to-day.
1t is generally understood that the busi>
ness of selling out the post trading under
the former wife Of the secretary, who was
the sister of his present wife, and it is
said with confidence that other deveyop>
ments will follow, showing that improper
and corrupt bargains have been made for
the dispensation of other patronage per-
tanning to the Secretary of War. 1t is
known that this wroDg>doing, which not
only consigus Mr.. Belknap to personal
ruin, but brings disgrace upon the admin.
istration, had its origin in the desire for
display and social prominence which un-
happily 50 besets persons of limited
means in Washington, especially if they
hold official position. Both the present
and the former Mrs. Belknap were noted
for the elegance Of their entertainments
and their rash and e1travagant dressing.
Gen. Belknap did not possess anything
beyond his salary, and has probably ex-
pended double or three times that amount
IN every year that he has been in
Washington. He 10 man in the
prime Of life, just Al years of age, of
splendid and snowy physique, and his
own desire to shine has perhaps as
much to do with bis downfall as the
weakness Of his wives When the
present Mrs. Bclknap was married she
could not trust to American dress.
makers for her trousseau, but sent over
to Worth for it, and the description of
her elaborate dresses and ether fummery
gave the jenkins correspondents some.
thing to dilate upon for weeks. She has
eninyed. if IL can be called sn;ovmsnt