Year: 1876

fall is due more to the vicious organization OF wash
ingon society than anything else. refer 10 the ridc-
uous extravagance OF who IN the rst social
circles at tho capital Very few Cabinet officers are
able live within their means; none can begin to ve
within their salaries While was there the only mem
Der Of the Cabinet who could stand It was Fish; with
his income Of $500 600 year he could afford to pay
any price for social privileges; nevertheless, IL
cost him $4,000 year Mr. Chandler, who has gone
into the Cabinet since came to St Louis Is another
whose private fortune ample that his salary IS
no object TO him. Outside OF these two none OF the
public officials in Washington live within their
salaries lett Washington chiefly because my salary
would not support me- and because did not con-
slider the society there the proper place III which 10
rear a family. received Sl35oO regular salary DC
sides So 900 rent and horses making $1,000 In all


outyed this amount every year, by several thousand
dollars. had 10 keep open house all the time. My
family rarely had any rest from entertaining people,
OF them utter strangers, IN whom we could Ieel
interest. Besides, everybody consider themselves
privileged TO practise extorton upon aIy person VINO
holds prominent place in Washington gas companies,
house furnishers, marketers &c, always charged me
exorbtant prices simply because was General OF
the Army. Now Belknap got IS 900 year, and had
no Out side resources He had a fashionable wife, am
bilious to lead in society. She must have money and
there was other mode of getting 1t except by resort
ing to unlawful practices In M mind this Is the key
10 the dsgraceful conduct OF the Secretary o! War


DO you know Mrs BeAnapN


'very well She was regarded most estimable
woman, intelligent brilliant AID pretty She came OF
good kentucky family and was ambitious 10 lead in
society. She proiusion OF jewcry and her
dresses were imported. Her receptions among
the most agreeable and SNOWY entertainments at tho
national capital II impossible that shc could
keep her expenditures within her husbands official in
come"


"Do you think Belkuap Will cndeayor to shield him
self behind his wifef -


40 the contrary think he likely to suffer much
personal odlum by keeping silent order shield his
wife. He is not TO protect himself ut the ex-
pense OF his wife If Mrs. Belknap, for moncyed
consideration from outside pares, influenced her hus
band to make appointments,


THE WORLD WILL NEVER KNOW !
through Beknap on the other haud, Mrs. Belknap is
just the woman to shield her husband and WILL doubt
less assume much of the odium as possible 1t
very sad affair all through and Will reflect much dis
credit upon country and society at large"


sDo you not attribute, some extent, the corrup-
tion which has been discovered In the sale or trading
posts to tho present system OF managing that ser
vice9'


~ do though the system is necessarily corrupt
one. The old plan much safer and made dishonesty
improbable No man could get the appointment
OF post trader sutler they formerly called,
until he had secured the recommendation OF the three
senior officers next TO the commandant Of the post
The OF the person selected by this council of three
was submitted TO post commandant He indorsed and
forwarded 1t to the Secretary OF War. The recon-
incubation always secured the appointment The ofi-
GERS always selected the applicant who was known