The New York herald., 1876-03-16
THE BELKNAP RING
Startling Evidence on the Way to Wash
ingtOn Affecting High Officials.
BARTER AND SALE OF PATRONAGE
What Is Known Of War Department COrrup-
tOn on the Missouri.
A GREATER THUNDERBOLT TO STRIKE.

BISMARCK, D. T., March Is, 1876.
Those who imagine that Belknap's corruption be-
ganand ended with the sale OF the tradershps at Fort
Sill must prepare themselves for disclosures which
will show that with but few favored exceptions, the
officers and soldiers at almost every military post
the frontier were Systematically pundered by Bel
KNAPP and his confidants in order to maintain him In
his extravaganza. The fact that filling high
and honorable station should stoop so low and be-
come corrupt must be accepted as a cause OF
regret to the entire nation. The following develop
ments, however, substantated as they are by docu-
mentary evidence embracing facts and figures in
further humiliate the American people when it is
learned that
UNDENIABLE EVIDENCE
which your correspondent has seen and heard win
be sent from this place for Washington in few
days. proving that within one week after Belknap's
installation Secretary of War he began his scheme
for the sale OF all the prominent traderships the
frontier; that they were eventually disposed OF for
money single post that OF Fort Lincoln, opposite
this town, paying to Belknap and hsfriends more
than $4,000 yeary-other smaller posts paying to
the same parties in proporton-and that in the
barter and sale OF these posts the evidence
referred to will show that Senator, one ex-
Senator-both from the same State, the latter
now Governor ofa Terrtory-and an Ex-Governor OF
Territory holding high and responsible posi-
ton in the War Department. and an ex-Terrtorial
Marshal, have all been deeply implicated. Ex.Gov-
ernor Campbell, of Wyoming, made special visit to
Washington to control the appointment and sale OF
post traderships. On his return he announced
through his brother-whose letter your correspon-
dent has seen and which with other connecting
documents viii be forwarded by mail-that he had
succeeded in his mission, and none but admnistra-
ton men should hold post traderships In the letter
it is demanded that, while
THE CAMPBELL BROTHERS
are to receive third OF the profits, they are to
supply none OF the capital; it is to be kept secret
that Governor Campbell is interested. Governor
Campbel's brother, in arranging terms, said he
could not close the bargain until he had submitted
them to the Governor J. NJ. Hedrick of Ottumwa,
Iowa, who occupies the position there in inter-
nal revenue that Joyce did at st. Louis is known to
have been the recipient of hundreds of thousands OF
dollars from the sale of post traderships, which
be traced to other parties holding high Official
positions, including Beknap. One letter from
Hedrick, written in 1870, announces that he can
con trnI anv trader1hn I'm " dapartnont Anothar
letter to post trader, finding fault with the
latter for the small profits derived, says, speaking
OF General Rice OF Iowa. "You know Rice is bach
elor OF expensive habits living in Washington He
must have his codnshng in summer and his trip to
Florida in winter, and you must pony up and keep
him going. He can't live on less than $4,000 a
year." The trader at Fort Lincoln, fearing removal
a few weeks ago, Orville Grants clerk at Standing
Rock advised him to see Grant. ale can FIX YOU"
A telegram has been seen here from Delano to Or
vile Grant, making the appointment OF Raymond, Of
this place, as trader at Berthod upon the tele-
graphic demand OF Grant The post traders along
the Missouri River having been taxed almost to the
full amount OF their profits and regarding the down.
fall OF Belknap as
THE BREAKING UP OF THE RING,
are anxious and willing to hasten to Washington
and disclose all they know Some OF them are here
awaiting the departure OF the first train for the
East and declare they intend to implicate certain
oficials now standing high in public confidence.
The post OF Fort Fetterman paid a profit OF $4,000
in two years, to be divided among the members OF
the ring. The ex-senator referred to, among other
appointments disposed Of placed his son at one OF
the most lucrative positions.
COMMUTATION OF DEATH SEN
TENCE.