Year: 1876

WASHINGTON March Z, 1876
with the discovery and exposure OF Beknap's
hievery first made public in the HERALD, leading
70 the Investigations which have forced that corrupt
Dcal his high place in the Cabinet OF the Prcs
aent and confess to having robbed the officers and
Dolders OF the army large portion Of the pay for
which they were required the risks and
exposures Of frontiers service the first really success
hl blow has been struck at what has long been
known the Army Ring. ring the corrupt
members OF which have done more to cripple and bring
disgrace upon the service than any combination OF
which that proverbialy honorable and honest
profession has been subjected. To democratic House
belongs the sole credit and honor of having pushed the
investigations which have upearthed and exposed 10
public gaze


ENORMOUS FRAUD AND CORRUPTION
of which this man Beknap has been guilty. Let the
same power continue its exercise and compel the
passage such resolutions of inquiry and the adoption
Of such will only overhaul Belknap's entire
administration OF the affairs of the War Depart
ment, bat will call attention TO Of
the subscrvient tools who have only been too
ready bow his feet and follow at the crookng of
his finger The HERALD been the means OF laying
before the public certain facts and suggestions in
gard to the extravagant and expenditure Of the
public funds in the management OF the War Depart
mcnt, aud has pointed out the way by which useful





Effected without lmpairing the efficiency diminish
ing the strength of the army Now that IL has been
proven how utterly corrupt and dshonorable Beknap
has proved himself to be- how utterly devoid OF per-
bona or official integrity demonstrated by his sale
OF army tradershps, il requires no additional argument
prove the former statements forth the HERALD
TO the effect that the War Department managed
under


A sYsrEM REEKING WITH ABUSES


and he 0f
the Official and powerful head of the corrupt Army
Ring has been struck down and the surviving men,
bers, all OF whom, with perhaps exception are
located here easily be ierretted and their inau
sncos for further evil forever destroyed. Beknap,
ncking every essential OF greatness has attempted
20 number among his hangerson men Of any particu-
laR ability merit their corrupt subservency
his plans and wishes. Having regard for the in
tcrests honor prosperity of the army at large, but
simply desiring and the influence of his posi-
ton the benefit and profit OF himself intimates
he has formed


COMPOSED OFFICERS
now in this coy, to whose opinions and influence he
has lent a most willing in deciding all questions
affecting the management of the army and to such an
has this cabal OF nrlguers succeeded that no
deserving mertorous officer can hope TO succeed
place accomplish any object requiring the ap-
proval of the Secretary OF War unless the influence OF





and impressed army officers serving away from
this city of the necessity of oadyng this perncous
element which has crept into the service under Beknap
that before making application recommcnda-
on TO the Secretary of War II has been deemed gene
rally BEST II has been desired first address
one Of the Ring here and secure his influences in the
matter The intimacy which has existed between
Belknap and the members of this Ring has been such
totally beneath the dignity and propriey of





in the army could be found probably who would de-
scend the entanglements OF such alliance as
Belkuap has established between himself and OF
his undstinguished subordinates OF low rank. 1t is
not known who compose the entire Ring, known here
and throughout the country as the Army Ring but
the principal members OF It known 10
all persons here who take any interest In
any matters, who have had occasion
10 desire measure passed object gained at the
War Office. Babcock of course from his character as
shown to the public but to the jury and ez otfcio
has n fellow member with Belknap, sharing on
than equal with bloated corruptonist
the patronage and influence OF the War ONCE Fol-
lowing these two we'll matched leaders there has been
number Of less prominent persons each of whom had
his part to play and In return allowed a voice in
determining questions pertaining the army and at
tmeA permitted TO pick up such crumbs as might
fall from the overloaded tables OF Bcknap Babcock
The two prominent OF these hangers-on, and
these too who have exercised beneficial in
nuence in army matters, and who may bc called


PRIME FAvoEIrEs


Of tho now dsgraced Secretary officers OF the
rank of major, both duty and for years past in
this CITY, both belonging the staff corps OF the
army, and both have shared to the fullest degree the
favor and smiles OF their fallen chief They WILL both
be recalled 10 the memory OF the public as the two
officers who were sent in government vessel couple
Of years ago In charge OF presents intended Tor the
Mikado Of Japan. One Of the officers Is member Of
one Of the scientific corps; but the records Of the
War oco will fail TO show that he has engaged upon
any scientific duty other than the science OF seeking
put and obtaining what may be termed sot places He
has never displayed any particular ability, except that
Of filling the eye and admiration OF Beiknap
Among The rewards which the latter has showered upon
this follower Is the distinction without merit OF place
on the Centennial Commission, board appointed TO
represent the United States by the President Nobody
but the man who could discover how put thousands
OF dollars into his pocket by robbng soldiers on the
frontier, could have discovered any peculiar fitness or
qualification in the officer referred to for such marked
iayoriusm The other army officer also of the rank OF
major belongs to the Quartermasters DEPARTMENT and
has been "Hail fellow well ." with the disgraccd
Secretary Tor years There was nothing these two
Majors could not obtain II II was in the
power OF Belknap TO bestow. The amount of
money Uncle Sam has been called upon to defray the
expenses these junketng expeditions OF the twin fol.
lowers Of the theyng Secretary would 10 TAR toward
the maintenance OF small garrison. II either of
these court favorites desired order issued over the
signature Of Beknap they bad but to ask ana IL was
done. Onncers far their superior in rank experience
and have been moved from post 70 pillar simply
because u pleased these members OF the Ring to have
So And there scarcely act in the power or
.he Secretary which they could not to he per.
iOrmsd Il 1t suited their inclination. The who