Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1876-03-11
Letter from washington.
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Committee, before which an investigation had
been in progress for some weeks. heard the
other day the testimony Of one Caleb Marsh, a
Sutler out at Fort Sill. This testimony was
the coup de grace, after long string OF suspi-
cions In substance it was AS follows: Several
years agu Marsh entered into n contract
with Mrs Secretary Belknap, 10 the effect that
for and in consideration OF $4,000 IN hand
paid and for the further payment OF $4,000
annually, be MarshD was to remain unmOlesled
as the post trader at Fort Sill The agree
ment was in writing, aud II Is alleged copy
was shown TO Belknap. Further, that 10 COM
piance with the terms Of the agreement, Marsh
did pay the $4,000, aud for the time be held
tie post paid the promised $4,000. The checks
were made out by Marsh payable to Mrs. Bel
KNAPP, and it is said that Marsh testified that
when the checks were returned to him they
were endorsed pay to W. W. Belknap by
Mrs. Belknap," and the endorsement OF the
Secretary was also on them, showing that he
drew the money.
Marsh was no willing witness. lie was ar
rested in New York aud brought on by special
constables detailed 10y the committee. Aud
having given in his damaging evidence-as
damaging, almost, TO himself rs 20 the Sccre-
tary-he has followed Paciic-Mail-Subsidy
Billy Kings example aad crossed over to Cam
ada. Immediately after this last blow Bel
KNAPP very properly rendered his resignation
to the President which the latter very improp-
erly accepted-thus placing the late war min
lister without the jurisdiction Of the Senate Tor
impeachment purposes; for it seems to have
been the popular belief among the few genuine
lawyers 10 our pure congress that the PreSi-
dent, having accepted Br-kuapS resignation,
put him, very ciiectullly, beyond the reach OF
impeachment he no 9ngcr being an officer Of
the government and rendered bin amenable,
only, 10 the civil courts. To this legal opin-
! ion we would also subscribe, We're it not for
the fact that Beknap's s,ep-dOwn-aud-out re-
verts him TO the army-on whose lists he ranks
as Geucral-whence he was cal!,i to t., Uabi-
net, and therefore il would seen. mat Congress
rendered unable to do -, the army should he
the next tribunal for the trial Of the case
| However, for some mysterious reason, things
nave gone directly opposite. Upon tie com
mitiee reporting this last crushing testimony
! (of Marsh y TO the House that body began the
preparation of articles olimpeachmeit. These
arc to be presented to the Senate for It's action
! sitting as a court the latter body having
! already been notified Of tie intention Of the
| House and signified its concurrence therein
The indictment, proper, covers only two
couuts receiving bride, and continuing t.
receive it. Pending Congressional action III
! the matter, however, the Police Court Of the
city issued a warrant for Bclknap's arrest
| The writ has been executed, but Is only pre-
stationary measure to foil any attempted es-
cape Of the great criminal.
And yet. if we view things dispaSsionately
Genera! Beknap is not really the culprit. LII;
| ipresent wile-as adduced from the evidence
was really the guilty party. Indeed DOM
Patt publishes in his last Capital what he de-
clarcs the true story Of the affair Except
ing 10 lire-panics aud other extraordinary cases
we are a chiyalrous people. 10 this case, the
wife has only the diS-race TO bear; on her hus'
baud falls The shame and punishment. This
last, VIC should have said before, will comprise
three years Imprisonment and a fue not eX
ceediug thrice he amount Of tie accepted bribe
In a late editorial, the Chronicle asserts thai
10 possible blame can attach TO the RepUblicGI
party from Beknap's fall. He was, it says
appointed Secretary by the President without
public approval ana win IulI hnpNleuSe ny
the Executive of his democratic antccedeuts.-
These, the ChroHidssrHns up in a few instan'
ceS wherein the cx-War Secretary sided witt
slavery prior to the war; admitting, however
that he was fiith(ul Union soldier, an ardent
supporter of Grant and other proofs of loyalt!
t. Republicauism. Most certainly this won
bear the light But admitting, for the while
That General Belknap ,CIs democrat before
during and since the war, how can that posi-
lily alter the case? a Republican chief mag
istrate, Only elected by the people, appointed
him War Sccrelary-aud he fell. Who is Il
blame The president individually; or doe
not the party which elected him come in for ;
tthe Of the common disgrace?
Let Us, however, close the miserable picture
for
This is the state &C man To-day he puts forth
The tender leaves of hope, tomorrow blossoms,
Aud bears his blushing honOrs thick upon him
[ The third Gav comes frost, killing frost;
And when be thinks, good easy man, full surely
His greatness l. a ripcning,-niPs his root,
And then he tails o..
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