Year: 1876

WASHINGTON. March g. 1876.


Twelve days ago It considered certain by the best
Informed people in Washington, that the conclusion
the Babcock trial Mr.. Brisow would be elected from
he Cabinet To-day Mr Belknap is out in disgrace,
and nobody any longer speaks OF Mr. Bristows retire
nent probable event The change is very
great and has been very unexpected The question OF
MIR. Brstow's retirement substantially decided on
The 22d of February. when the leading republicans OF
New Hampshire teegraphed peremptoriy TO their
Senators that either Brstow Solicitor Wilson was
driven out New Hampshire would go democratic. THIS
alarmed good many persons here who have a contin-
gent interest the November elections and the Pres-
dent dealt with and the dangers OF the
which some of his wicked partners persuading
him were made plain to him. The fall OF Mr. Beknap,
though may damage the prospects of the republican
party,


uSMrIGATED GOOD TO COUNTRY


He represented in the Cabinet all the evil influences
which have sought to control General Grant and have
too often succeeded. He the ally of Alexander
Shepherd OF Babcock and OF the baser kind polti-
clans all the country, and his influence over tho
President and upon public affairs purely evil and
evil Of sordid, vulgar and demoralzng kind His dis
and the manner of it read moral lesson the
country and the fresh courage aud energy which the
House investigating committees have got from this
success in discovering fraud will probably inspire some
other prominent persons with secret apprehensions


The Belknap disgrace upon his allies like clap
OF thunder from clear sky. The committee guarded
their secret with success and is probable
Mr. Belknap kept ALSO for 1t is known Mr. Alexander
Shepherd had invitations for dinner party and
In honor OF General BabcocK for Saturday night and
that among the invited guests were Mr.. Belknap and
the other members of tho Cabinet we'll as other
prominent men,


"sAD EVENT"


Tharn xy;ll la noi
knaps disgrace "sad event." but il is hardly worth
anybody's while to 60 into mourning over It, HIS
crime vulgar and sordid and the mans character
the He represents the lowest element OF Amer
lean political society and his exposure and disgrace
unmixed benefit to the public. In the Cabinet
he the supcrserviceable tool OF the worst nfu-
ences which surround the White House He had no
of the dignity OF politics; regard for justice
so little regard Tor proprety that he could telegraph
Louisiana last year the despatch that all OF
(meanng all the Cabnep approved OF the dispersion
OF the Legislature by the bayonet' and little
OF personal dignity that when he directly
called TO account by other members OF the
Cabinet for having made false statement about
them he submitted to questions which would
have been resented as insulting by an average man.
m should prove true that he got the President
cept his resignation by false this would
be only fitting and natural close OF po tca
part OF which creditable. Yet only few weeks ago
he expected to be elected Senator Iowa and undoubt
edly until day before yesterday he had much nu-
snce in the Cabinet as Mr. Fish or Mr.. Brlstow.


cREDIr THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERS.


The democratic leaders deserve credit for treating
this scandal not from partisan but from a national
point OF view They behaved handsomely yesterday
and while OF course they cannot be expected ignore
the influence OF such discoveries the fall elections
they acted with dignity and public spirit about the
House and elsewhere. But 1t will be reproach TO
them If at the proper time they do take
care TO make partisan use OF such events,
because they properly the Presidential can
In November the people TO decide whether
they will trust the republicans the democrats with
the of the country for the years
But the republican conventions have all united to
praise General Grants administration as eminently
successful, ana the republican leaders have not re-
preached the President for his association with and
promotion OF men like Bcknap and others stand
Ing before the public In dubious light Ii Is proper
that they should be held to their responsibility and
that II the administration they praise and the men
they tolerate and work with, be shown to be
rupt and mischievous this should enter prominently
into the canvass IL ought to be the most prominent
question and the democrats persistent their
Investigations It will be.


DEcKIvKD


The following story Of how the President
came TO know Of Mr.. Beknap's disgrace told
white House:-The President 1t said, had made an
engagement TO SIT TO portrait painter Pennsylvania
avenue, Thursday, from halfpast ten til twelve
O'Clock He therefore completed some business before
breakfast brcakasted little late and whllo he was
still sitting at tho table, Secretary Brisiow
was announced The Secretary was shown
into small parlor and when the
President Joined him said he came thus
early because he felt in duty bound communicate
matter OF great importance which mad that morning
come TO him IRON person in a situation to be well
formed He thereupon related the story ofthe dscov
cries made in the War Department investigation
mittee adding tna course this but story
Ing out on investigation, which might be dsproycd,
but that Il had seemed to him necessary that the
President should be Immediately informed, andicon
eludOd by urging the President to send at once
for one of the republican members Of the committee
who could give him direct and detailed information.
The President remarked that be had engagements
which would detan him all the morning, but thai ho
would send request the member TO call on him at
moon.


SECRETARY BKLKSAP's rgxpKR RESIGNATION


Shortly after Mr. Bristow departed Mr.. Belknap and
Secretary Chandler announced, and on coming
m Mr. Belknap presented HIS resignation aud
GsEhc.S It's immediate acceptance, saying by way
Of explanation, with good deal OF emotion, that
serious scandal had beOn discovered, Affect
ing HIS wife. and OF course also HIMSELF that
he desired 70 relieve the President and the admnsra
tion Of all embarrassment by immediate resignation,
and that he would assure General Grant that the