k 1
'il
I ' 1
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fiie SomefsefHerald.
WEJNESDAT.
Mm . Lrt.
The country was startled and ap
palled on Thursday last by tbe news
of tbc fall and dipgrace of General
Belknap. Since the assassination of
President Lincoln no eTent has pro
duced so profound an impression on
tie public luind. A member of tic
Cabinet Lai been convicted of taking
bribe, of selling official positions for
personal gain. Tbe disgrace is a Na
lional one, far overreaching all mere
coaiJerationa of party, toucbio g as
it does, tbe fair fame end good name
of tbe American people. Tbe crime
of bribery is not a new one in tn:s,
or in other countries, but this is the
Erst iostauc in which a cabinet of
ficer has been convicted, and lias con
fessed to having sold an appointment
for a recuniary consideration.
Through all the wretched tale of this
nan's fall and tbe country's disgrace,
there runs a thread of domestic ten
derness, of unreflecting female grati
tude, and potent influence that lend
it additional element of pain and of
sadness. It is the old, old Etory,
"the woman whom thou gnvestto le
with mc, she gave rue of the tree
and I did eat."
There is a touch of tragic pathos,
but at the same time a wonderful
lad of moral sensibility in tbe scene
in the nurscry.wbcre those two beau
tiful women bisters were fondling
tie baby that was so aoon to die, talk
ing about the money that was to
come to it, as the fruits of the fath
er's dishonor, but truth to gay, tbe
father and cabinet officer appears to
have thought as little of the moral
turpitude of tbe transaction as did
the women, for be made no scruple
c f taking the money, so far as is now
Lndwn up to the day of his expos-
."'peaking of this miserable busi
ness, the Baltimore American well
says: "Secretary Belkoap was not
surprised by a lion-like temptation
and overwhelmed in a moment of
weakness; there was method and de-
liberation in the transaction tbatj
iTDUgul unu l" iuiu. .'euuei is i-c
l ad man. who commits crime for the
sake of gratifiing a vicious impulse. ,
n the contrary, before this dire dis
grace overtook him be was an amia
ble gentleman, who, if he had been
j luetd in a station for which he was
really Cited, would have lived an
honorable and useful life. But it has
been President Grant's misfortune to
.-elect a large number of men for
most important positions who had no
training whatever in tbe administra
tion of public affairs. Some of them
hud sufficient capacity, but they lack
ed the robust virtue which every
man in position must bave, or in the
end tie will prove a disastrous fail
ure. Asa Collector of Internal Rev
enue or a Postmaster General Belknap
migLt have been entirely honest, but
w hen he as made Secretary ot War
he entered a sphere tbat required a
sort of integrity tbat he did not post-ess.
He seems to have niannged
the administration part of his ofiice
ery well, but in the distribution of
the patronage tbat attached thereto
he destroyed himself. He was not
equal to tec situation. j
It must not be imagined that the,
la"e Seeretary of War was a rapa
oimis mon, who sold offices for tbe
sake of enriching himself. He was
weak and vain, aud allowed himself
to 1 led into extravagant expendu
t ires, and Lis salary was entirely in
a Jeouate to tbe constant demand
upon Lit purse. Tbe corrupt bar
gain with Marsh, and probably with
other traders at the military posts on
the frontier, was the result. There
have been impecunious Cabinet offi
cers in Washington before this, but
they allowed their private credit to
suffer rather than to bring disgrace
upon the public service. General
Belknap had a dashing wife, who
wss fond of society, fond of display,
eti 1 by no means economical in her
habits. She knew that "ten thou
hand a year'' would not meet theex
peusesof their house-held, and in her
negotiations with March about tbe
mercantile fran chise of Fort Sill she
was only providing the means of
keeping up a fashionable establish
ment at Washington. This ambi
tious and accomplished woman was
not willing to live within her hus
band's income. She was resting
quietly in her grave before tbe ex
posure came tbat has turned tbe re
membrance of her brilliant evening
"receptions" into bitterness and re
morse. When General Belknap took to
himself another wife be did not need
to tell her tbe family secret that has
been given to tbe world by a commit
tee of Congress. She was at Long
Branch with her sister when tbe fa
tal meeting wi:h Marsh took place,
and t-he knew everything connected
with tbe transaction. Wben two
years afterwards, she herself became
mistress of the Belknap household,
(be brought into it a love for display
that far eclipsed the highest aspira
tions of her deceased sister. She
was one cf the "peta" of society
beautiful, accomplished, winning in
h?r manners, unapproachable in her
"style." There was nobody in tbe
United States tbat could make the
delicate little slippers that adorned,
if they did not cover, ber dainty feet
These products of St. Crispin's high-
est tkiU were brought from Taris
(they numbered lj, the Jenkias' re
porters tell us), and everything else
that 4ie wore was the finest and the
Ix-st that money could procure. There
was no ham in all this, except tbat
most of these splendid fabrics were
purchased with the money derived
from tbe sale of a mercantile fran
chise which did cot belong to her
husband, bet to the United States
Governtaent.
The moral of this sad story is that
people ought to live vf thin their ia-1
Come. A loan no caaaoi gei i-s j
in TVaiinf-.n city on a salary 01
i 10.000 a vear ought not to accept a i
Cabinet office. If a member of the
Cabinet, lite Secretary Fish, for in
stance, has a large private fort one be
can keep cp as much "style" as be
pleases without Felling the franchises
of tbe Government or cheating pri
vate creditors; but whenerer a pub
lic officer wto has no estate of bis
own lives beyond his income there is
always ground for suspicion, and it
is onlT a question a Ut whether be
is dishonest in bis official or his per
sonal dealings. The f"of Secre
tary Beiknap ought to be a waraing
to all vain and foolish people who
ape tbe airs of the wealthy upon in
sufficient means. There 13 no truer
proverb than 'Tride mast bave a
fall."
Hons. Montgomery Blair, Jeremiah
S. Black and Mat. Carpenter bave
been retained as counsel for General
Belknap.
The statement of tbc National
debt for tbe month of February thows
a decrease in tbe public debt during
the month of three million two hun
dred and seventy-two thousand, fcv
en hundred and thirty-three dollars
(S3.272.7r,.T) This js a verv !air
showing for these bard times.
Internal Revenue Superintend"
I ent Tutton, of this District, has been
transferred to the district composed
of Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi,
Alabama, and Georgia, with head
quarters at Louisville, and Supervi
sor Hart has been transferred from
Indianapolis to Philadelphia, in place
of Tutton.
l'lnL.YiiEi.i'iiiA is mating arrange
ments to accommodate about 203,000
visitors at one time during the Cen
tennial. They will le distributed
around as follows: Hotels, 23,000;
boarding houses, 40,000; furnished
and unfurnished apartments, 33,000;
entertainment by friends and rela
tives, 100,000; - surrounding towns
and cities and suburban hotels, 100,-
000.
i.i.i.it 01 .unuij
an.
" i
peals to everv citizen of
.k.
tnat c.aie
who owes a piece of ground, te 'lant
a tree on the 13th of
tennial year. It is
April, this cen
a irooJ Eugzes-
tion
and might be adopted, not oulvjject was discnssca wita even treat, r
in Michigan, but throughout the
whole country, and a memorial tree
planted by every American citizen
owning a patch cf American soil. A
correspondent of the New York
Tinut suggests that the day be
April 10, that being the anniversary
of the first battle cf the Revolution.
It is to be hoped the sjjgestion may
take root.
A h-e ial to tie Pittsburgh Com-liter-
ia! from Washington says: The
arrangements preliminary to the pay
ment of silver, ia tbe place of frac
tional currency, bave been perfected.
All that remains is tbe promulgation
of the order of the Secretary of tbe
Treasury. This order has already
been drawn, and simply awaits tbe
signature of tbe Secretary. The ag
gregate amount of silver on band is
upwards of $12,000,000. which, nilh
tbe current coinage, is amply -ufii
cient. Of this aggregate sum tbe
Treasury has distributed sufficient
amounts to the sub-treasurers, public
depositaries and postoffices to com
mence paying out at any time desig
nated by the order of tbe Secretary
of tbc Treasury.
Martrd I Death
Washington, Feb. 29 Hon Eli
P. Norton died in Providence hos
pital in this city yesteiday afternoon,
in the 3f,th year of bis age. , Mr.
Not ton was born ia Mansfield, Illin
ois. He practiced law in Livings
ton, Kentucky; Cincinnati, Ohio, and
in New York city. He wap appoin
ted by President Johnson a solicitor
of the Court of Claims, which posi
tion he held until the expiration of
Mr. Johnson's term. Since that time
he has been practising bis profession,
principally before tbc court of claims
and the Mexican claims commission,
but latterly he has been unfortunate
ly impoverished.
About ten days ago he met a friend
on tbc street, aud explained to him
bis reduced circumstances, and after
leaving him retired to bis room,
where he remained for Eve days be
fore he was discovered and taken to
tbe hospital. He was too proud to
ask for assistance, and thus delilter
ately chose death by starvation rather
than appear as a mendicant.
Takra frttia Jail aad Lrnrbed.
Nashmlle, Tenn., Feb. 2S. A
special to tLe Anient an says that at I
o'clock last night twenty -five or fifty
armed men went to tbe Lebanon jail,
thirty miles from here, and demanded
tbe keys of the jailer, who refused
them The jailer's wife, fearing they
were going to I ill her husband, got
tbe keys and delivered them to them.
The jailer had threatened to kill any
one who entered the jail. While
defending the front they broke into
tbe rear, and took from bis cell Por
ter Williamson, colored, one of tbe
alleged murderers of Robert Hamil
ton, whose place Williamson and
Burr Buggarly went to rob last
March. The mob carried him one
and a half miles form Ixbanon, where
tbey hung and shot him in tbe head
and left side. Williamson's body
was cut down at 9 o'clock this morn
ing. The verdict of the coroner's
jury was that be came to his death
at the bands of parties unknown.
Tbe crowd came and departed from
Lebanon so quietly that only about
half a dozen people outside the jailer
and wife were aware of what was
occurring. It is supposed that Wil-
liam6on was lynched on account of
the tardiness of justice, he having
been granted a new tnaL W iliiam
soa and Beggarly had confessed to
the murder of Hamilton.
KallrM4 Aerldrnt.
Toledo, O., March 3. This after
noon as a freight train on tbe Balti
more & Ohio railroad was crossing
iuo onage at Delaware Lend near
Defiance, the train broke in Uvo,
throwing a car from the track into
the river. Conductor Keech and two
bralremen were seriously and probe
bly fatally injured. : -. -
Til n 11
"in 'mot vnnnna
inn uinai dbQiiiiai
Mary Eeltap's lispce
A Sail ami Painful Story.
The Exposure and Confession.
ipalion and keep tar.ee,
Fnll Report oftbeTej-Unioiiy.
Notbinir that has occured for manv
rears has so
startled and shocked
tbe nation as tbe implication cf Gen.
Belknap, late Secretary of War, in a
dit-honorable transaction. It was a
mr rnmfip nn VHnPfirf.ir hut VOS-
tcrdav grew into an established fact, j L vans, tLe trader at Jr ort bill, com
supported by undoubted proof, and ' plained to Marsh that he was .laying
even admitted bv the criminal Lira-elf; j too much for his privilege on account
was followed bv bis resignation and of the required number of companies
its acceptance, and br bis presenta - not being kept at the fort, boon aF
tion for impeachment bv tbe House 'er he made his complaint, the sum
of Representatives. The successive I Pd annually was reduced from I2,
eventsinthissadtrogedv of disbon-K'OO to $0,000. It also bows that
For and disgrace arc fully prescnte
below, the letter of our swcial U ash -
inton correspondent serving to sum -
marize ihe whole, and present each
successive step in its
natural sc-
qaence.
TflE PVMMAEY OF THE ST'T.V.
Spcrinl to the BaltlniTe American.
WAsntNtiTov, March 2.
Tbe sensation of the hour is the re
markable d'sclosure of the guilty con
nection of Secretary Belknap in pros
tituting for pelf his high office. It is
the gossip on the street corner, the
Mrs. Grundv in social circ.e aau tLe
all-absorbing topic of discussion
the hotels.
:a
To preface the remarkable ditlos-:
ure it is necessarv to state that unt -
withstanding the extra precautions of!
the committee investigate
ter to keen the evidence
g te r
a:-
:he'
f.-um
public, that abvu: 12ocl :c
there was circulated the
this citv that surlieien: cvi
ruui.r
in !
en
;e
hsJ
0 3-
been obtained to warrss:
tatioato tbe House c f a res
calling for Secretary Belknap's
oeachment. Ozc can t !l rvI r-.
ion
icj-!
I
"Le
?.-Tri
! effect of such news as crr
;at miinight.
acn tewspapT c r-
4 .. . - ..1
too sensational to ic true wiiLDeiu ;
. .... !
i even tLe cnnoEccenem oi tte rumor, i was. lie iui-d reurtu, uuu me com
i there Wintr at that hour no moans of mittee, having taken the silence of
authecticating it.
At ten o'clock th
morning the sub-
iertin3c:iy. i ue g's.-:pui me nuni
previous Lau imuatiied ten-:
!J, and '
tne discussion ot tne matter wa-. ia
everybody's mouth. There was a
painful apprehension cn the part of
the best friends of the Secretary that
the report would prove true, inspired
possibly from tbe fact, that charges
against him had been repeatedly made
in connection with the sale of trad
ing posts on the frontier. Still, tbe
exalted position of tbe alleged offend
er, bis general intelligence and ac
knowledged shrewdness almostseem
ed to give the 1 e to the charge. Be
fore an hour more had elapsed, how
ever, the truth was known to bis
friends, and the Secretary bad made
such reparation as be could to bis
superior, the 1 resident, by tendering
bis resignation.
THE HISTORY OF 11EI.KNA1'
TALL.
S IVUVN-
Strange that like other great men,
gentle woman should have been the
initial cause of bis ruin. The trans
action reads like a romance. The
evidence which The A meriran prints j Secretary L handier. 1 be corres
in full elsewhere, was read in the j pondent of tbe American met him on
House in so low a tone of voice by bc step of the White House and
tr rirmor that . mneh f.f ii wan i.-wt i Siid. ' General, can I see you a few
It appears, however, that in 1S70
Secretary Belknap: accompanied by
his first wife (now deceased), visited
tbat fashionable summer vortex.
Long Branch. While there, both
met Mr. and Mrs. Marsh, residents
of New York city, who were indulg
ing in the elegant leisure of that fa
mous watering place. Subsequently
Mrs. Belknap visited Mrs. Marsh, at
her residence, in the Metropolitan
city. While there she fell tick.
Thus prostrated, she received every
atttention which a kind friend could
surround her with, and ultimately re
covered. Having regained health,
it began no doubt to suggest itself to
her how she could repay the Marsh
family for the many acts of kindness
showered upon ber wLen laboring
under her indisposition, and while
she was hesitating as to the most fil
ing reward tbe tempter came.
the riit-T rnoi'u-iTio.v
Wben Mrs. Belknap first determin
ed to reward Mrs. Marsh at the ex
pense of her husband's honor, she
preferred not to deal with the lady,
but rather with her husband. It was
a delicate secret to have entrusted to
a woman's ear. The evidence shows
tbat Mrs. Belknap approached Mr.
March, and af:er reminding him that
she was under some obligations, told !
bim frankly tbat she desired to make
some recompense for the trouble to
which she had subjected the family.
Said she, "Why don't you get a
post-tradeship there is a vacancy at
Fort Sill." "Yes," says Mr. Marsh,
"but I have no influence." "But I
have,"ays Mis Belknap, "my hus
band is Secretary of War, besides
there is money in it." "Well," says
Marsh, "if there is money in it,
whatever I make I will divide witb
you."
Having tbns paved tbe way, Marsh
went through the form of making ap
plication for tbe place. He applied
on the printed blauk necessary for
the purpose and forwarded tbe appli
cation for tbe appointment to Secre
tary Belknap at Washington. It was
received in due course ot mail, and
not hearing from.it in a reasonable
time, tbe applicant came to Washing
ton to see to the matter in person.
Now, up to this time tbe evidence
does not show tbat Secretary Bel
knap ever knew from either his wife
or anybody else that the former bad
promised to secure for Marsh tbe
Fort Sill post. It appears, bon ever, j row aud prepare tbe article of im
tbat Marsh called on Belknap to pusb peachment in presentation to the
the application, and was evidently j II ouse when it convenes. They will
successful. Secretary Belknap, how-! be in the same form as those used in
ever, told Marsh that the trader who j the Johnson trial. After tbe House
was then at the post had been there i agrees to them they will be presented
a long while, and that he did not
like to remove him. He suggested
tbat Marsh go and see bim. Tbe
evidence next shows tbat Marsh did
see him. Tbe trader's name was Ev
ans. An arrangement was entered
into between Marsh and Evans,
whereby the latter was to remain;
but in consideration of remaining be
was to pay $12,000 annuity to
Marsh. There was some kiDd of an
understanding entered into at the!
time tbat the secretary of ar was
to keep a certain camber of United
States troops at tbe poet. Marsh
then came East and received his mon
ev in o'jsrtrrlv installments, half of
which lie dn?r ni A ta Mrs BelkoAD.
When tbe first wife sickened aud'gument that if such be a proper con
died she was attended by Mrs Bow-!struction of the constitutional right
ers, her sister, the present wife of ! of the douse to impeach, and the
Secretary Belknap About the last ! Senate to try offences liable to ira
request she made of jer sister was 'peachment, that it it within tbe pow
that when Ehe was gone all moneys ! er of the President at any time to
which should be paid thereafter by j rob Congress of its prerogartve by
Air. Marsh should be bold for the bea- j accepting the resignation of any of
cutof the child. After her death 'fendor liable to trial by tbc Senate for
this request was faithfully carried
out, but wituin tneen?u;nge:x monuis
j the child died filsO.
! The evidence d?c nut clearly oho"
j who received the quarterly paymrnts
from the date of the child's death af -
ter the time of Secretary iMknap'a
marriage with h:s Uecascd wife s
sister. It does show, however, that
tbe money was paid on tbe child's
account; for Mr. March, it appears,
1 disregarded the solemnities of tbe oc-
ica.-ion on the very day ot tne ounai
of .Mrs. Belknap went into the nurs
ery where tfce child was aud made a
payment on its account.
It is also shown by the testimony
I that iu 1S72 cr thereabouts, that
; alter tne marriage 01 "'l,J
! "nap wie ncuau u,
ilj made wife received the instalment
i through the Secretary. Tbe amount
paw Slc8il! l" lUD l"v
w ives of the Secretary and tbe child
was h;;lf the amount paid by Evans
(to Marh, which being $40.000 in all,
; tbc share coming to the Belkuaps
i was $20,000.
j THE DENOTEMENT VESTEKPAT.
t
I The committee, it appears, elicited
ithis testimony from Marsh on Satur
j dav last. The whole affair would
lo'.k on its face as il -Secretary Bel-
i knap, had he so desired, might bave
charged the direliction to his wife's
aciv
:it, had it not been for the lact
t was developed that Marsh
;eeretarv Belknap indulged in a
itbat
at;d
tphie
orresposdence bv nieims
cjraas alnint the time
0 wore endeavoring to
f-iJ th
;er to get Lis testimony.
When tie tfstimony of Marsh was
all ia the c Tjaiittee srnt for Secreta-
ry Belkanp.- He cpneared with
Ju Jc Blair vesterdav. After the de-
reiopments uaa oeen maae known to
Lizi he uiade a proposition of some
k:na turougn his counsel, wlicu tne
Tl - .1.1... L - .
eviucuce nau uoes uoi snow wuui h
, t. .
. the Seeretarv as an evidence
of the
uuani-
'truth tf the Marsh charges,
mniisiv ncrned to present a resolution
to the II. use Linking to the impeacb-
ment of Mr. Belknap for high crimes
and u:sUcnieanors.
70-TVY's PEVELOPMENTS
At nine o'clock to day Secretary
Belknap was at the War Department.
He remained long enough at his desk
to address a letter of resignation to
the President. Soon after he went
out of tbe Department and proceeded
with a brisk gnit to the White House.
He handed the letter of resignation
to President Grant, who was not on
ly surprised at its tender, but more
so when be knew the cause which
prompted it. While he wa3 in con
sultation with the President, Boss
Shepherd came in. Then cane Sec
retary Chandler. Soon after Senator
Morton and Senator Edmunds arriv
ed. All were received in the corri
dor, and facing the red, green and
blue room. While tbe conference
was being held Colonel Fred Grant
paced nervously the main outer waiting-room.
About ten o'clock Bel
kuap passed out arm in arm with
minutes."- lo which bo replied,
with some agitation. "I have no time
now." Then, as be was about enter
ing Mr Chandler's carriage to drive
off, be said. "Come and sec mc after
while." He was driven ty Mr
Chandler to his residence on F street,
and positively refused to receive calls.
He was very much depressed through
the day.
the nr.por.T hftiie committee to
the iiotse.
J The report of the committee was
j presented in the House this afternoon
by .Mr. tlymer, ot l'ennsylvania, tne
Chairman. Nearly every member
was in his seat, and the most breath
less silence prevailed. He Grst read
the evidence taken, and even if be
had not intended, it was with dra
matic effect, for wben he reached that
portion where Marsh recited the vis
it to the room of the motherless child
to pay q'lErterly installments on the
dav of Mrs. Belknap's funeral, his
voice almost failed bitu, and his eyes
were in tears. The-c wa3 a show of
sympathy surrounding the scene.
Then followed tbe resolution direct
ing the Judiciary Committee to pre
pare articles of impeachment, upon
bich Mr. Clymercalled the previous
question, which was sustained. This
gave him an hour for debate, which
be divided amon the members of
tbe committee on both sides of tbe
House, giving Mr. Boss nnd Mr.
Danford a half hour, and dividing
the remaining time between himself
Mr. Blackburn, of Kentucky, and Mr.
Bobbins of North Carolina. All
spoke in support of the report. Mr
Blackburn admited that while there
was no precedent in tbe history of
this Government for impeaching an
officer out of office, be thought it was
time that one should be set. He cit
ed an instance from English parlia
mentary reports to show tbat War
ren Hastings, Govornor-Gencral of
India, bad been impeached even af
ter he had retired from office fifteen
months. Mr. Kason of Iowa, to
whom Mr. Danford yielded a portion
of his ti.ne, spoke with much feeling,
stating tbat tbe gravity of the accusa
tions against one of the members of
bis State almost overcame him.
After be elosed tbe main question
was ordered, and tbe impeachment
resolutions were passed by a cnani
mous vote. It is the intention of tbe
Judiciary Committee to meet to-mor-
to the feenate by tbe
committee on
j tbo part of the House appointed for
that purpose, which was appointee (
to-night by t-peaker Jeer, and is com
posed of tbe same members who con
ducted the investigation. The mat
ter will have then passed into the
bands of tbe Senate.
It is expected that when the reso
lutions of impeachment reate tbe Sen
ate tbat the question ot jurisdiction
will be raised and lead to an indefi
one ueoaie. come oi the best con
stitutional lawyers in the Senate hold
that inasmuch as Belknap has nostat-
us s a public officer, that it cannot
take cognizance of the charges.
i This in tarn will hi met by the ar-
either malfeasance in ofiice or o.ucial
misdeeds.
The news of the ac ion of the
House relative to the articles of iru-tvm-hmeai
was communicated to ex-
i Secretary Belknap soon afcer its ad-
'journment. He expressed much sur
prise at tne course lasea in me case,
as he thought that having passed
without tho jutisdictioa of the Sen
ate by resigning as a public officer,
that be was not amenable to impeach
ment. WHAT BELKNAP SATS.
Secretary Belknap has kept close
to his borne all day, and has refused
to see many visitors. Those ho
did see him state that he says that
there is some of the evidence given
hv Mr. Marsh which is true; some of
it is not true, and that there is much
of it he would say nothing about be
cause it belongs to the dead. He is
very much dejected, and is evidently
distressed, lie says that he is him
self responsible for all that has been
done, and that he is willing to shoul
der the entire responsibility. He,
moreover, slates to-night positively,
that he did not personally know Mr.
Marsh in the Fort Sill transaction.
The rumor is current that Treasurer
New has been tendered the War port
folio if be will accept the place.
THE FEELING IN WASHINGTON.
The Belknap exposure lias pro
duced a must painful feeling uinoug
the Republicans in the Seuate and
House, and little else is talked ubout
Your correspondent had interviews
with several promineut Republicau
Senators this afternoon, aud mau v of
them agreed that under the circum
stances tbe I resident ougnt not to
have accepted Belknap's resignation,
but to hare awaited the action of tLe
House.
There is a difference among the
Senators as to whether the House
can prefer articles of impeachment
after the official sought to be impeach
ed is out of office. The President is
reported to be greatly shocked at this
exposure of one of bis favorite Cabi
net officers, regarding it as a severe
blow to his administration.
BELKNAPS PROPOSITION.
It will be observed that the com
mittee speak in their report of a
porhat rkf.-n..?rinr llohnlf ftf Kl-
kuan. which thev unanimouslv voted
to refuse.
This proposition was that
Belknap would make a full coufes
sion if tbe committee would agree to
suppress all testimony implicating
his wife. It is said tbat the commit
tee at first regarded this lavorably,
but on reflection concluded that tbey
could not accept it without being
derilict in their duty, and that, more
over it would reolly do Belknap no
good.
Tbe EapMnre In tbe llne.
pp.esentation of the committee s
report.
In the House of Representatives
the bill relating to. tbe Hawaiian
treaty was under consideration. At
the close of a tpeech, by Mr. Wood,
of New York, without action on the
bill, the committee rose, and Mr.
Clymer, of Pennsylvania, presented
resolutions of impeachment against
William W. Belknap, late Secretary
of War, for high crime and misde
meanors in ofiice. In tbe midst of
great excitement, and with an unusu
al stillness in the House, Mr. Clymer
rose and said:
I ask permission of the House to
make a report from tbe Committee
on Expenditures in tbe War Depart
ment, of so grave importance tbat I
am quite certain that wben it is heard
tbe House will agree that I am justi-
Sed in asking that permission at this
time.
Permission was given, and Mr.
Clymer, taking his position at the
Clerks desk, read tbe following re
port:
The committee found at tbe very
threshold of its investigation, such
unquestioned evidence ef the mal
feasance of General William W. Bel
knap, then Secretary of War, that
tbey found it their duty to lay the
same before tbe House. I hey fur
tber reported that this day, at elcveB
o'clock, a letter of the President of
the United States was presented to
the committee, accepting the resigna
tion of the Secretary of War, to
gether with a copy of bis letter of
resignation, which (the Presiaent in
formed the committee) was accepted
about 10:20 this morning.
Tby therefore unanimously report
and demand, tbat William W. Bel
knap, late Secretary of War, be dealt
with ucco.ding to the law cf tbe
land, and, to that end, submit here
with the testimony in the case takf n,
together with the several statements
and exhibits, thereto attached, and
also a rescript of the proceedings of
this committee bad during the inves
tigation of this subject, and submit
the following
EESOLfTlOSS Or IMPEACHMENT:
Resolved, That Wm. W. Belknap,
late S. cretary of War, be impeach
ed of high crimes and misdemeanors
in office.
Resolved, Tbat tbe testimony in
the case of Win. W. Belknap, late
Secretary of War, be referred to tbe
Judiciary Committee, with instruc
tions to prepare and report, without
unnecessary delay, suitable articles
of impeachment of said W m. W.
Belknap, late Secretary of War.
Jlemloed, Tbat a committee of Gve
members of tbe House be appointed
and instructed to proceed immedi
ately to the bar of tbe Senate and
there impeach, William W. Belknap,
late Secretary of War, in tbe name
of the people of the United States,
of high crimes and misdemeanors
wben in office, and to inform that
body that formal articles of impeach
ment will, in due time, be preseuted,
and to request tbe Senate to take
such order in tbe premises as they
may deem proper.
Mr. Clymer then proceeded to read
tbe testimony of Caleb P. March.
taken yesterday before the commit
tee, showing tbat he bad paid Secre
tary Belknap about $20,000 in con
sideration of his appointment as post
trader at Fort Sill, Indian Territory.
This reading was listened to with in
tence interest by the members of tbe
House and by a large audience in
tbe galleries. In tbe most pathetic
portions of tbe narrative Mr. Clymer
was frequently forced by his feelings
to pause until his voice recovered
from its treinulousness and himself
from bis agitation.
Naogbt is forceless. Even a ci
pher is causing a great deal of trou
ble just now at St. Louis.
HARRISBURG.
rinsnrim usiiiio.
HAKni?nrK-'i, pA.,Feb. 2, 18M.
SEVITF.. '"
The Senate met at 7:30 p. m., and
was called to order by Lientcnaut
Governer Latta in the chair.
. The entiro evening session was
taken up in reading bills on first read
ing. IIOIKE.
Tbo House met at 7:30 p. r.i.
The following petitions aud reso
lutions were offered and properly re
ferred: . . -
Mr. Graham, of Allegheny, offered
a resolution for printing fivo thous
and copies of tbo digest of the elec
tion laws of the Common wealth.
Petitions were preseLted from cit
izens of Armstrong and Greene
counties in regard to salaries of coun
tj officers.
Mr. Wendt Petition of citizens of
Beaver in regard to tbe payment of
a higher rate ot interest than six per
cent, ia the absenco of a Contract.
A petition from citizens of Indiana
county was presented, praying that
when tbe commissions paid to coun
ty officers exceed $2,000, they shall
receive ouly a regular salary.
Mr. Blatt Petition of citizens of
Mercer county asking the Lezisla-
ture to prohibit the sale of iutoxicat -
ingihiuors in tbe Commonwealth
Bills passed first readiug Act
makiug an appropriation of $120,000
to pay tho expeuses v( the Natiouui
Guard to suppress tbe recent riots in
the unthracite coal regions.
When tho Boom bill was reached
upon the calendar, members left the
House to prevent a quoru'D. The
Speaker ordered a call of the House
aud the closing ot the doors. On
motion to adjourn, tbe yeas were 1
aud the nays tG, afier which ih
Boom bill passed first icidiug.
Mr. Lusk offered a resolution tha
our members of Congress be request
ed to vote against the bill passed by
the Senate of the L nited b tales, re!
ativc 10 refunding fire hundred mil
lions ot nvc-txventy bonds, niter
which the House adjourned.
Ilarrisburg, Feb. 20, li'tC
SENATE
The Seuate met at 10 A. M. and
was called to order by the Lieuteu
ant Governor.
Jlr. Clark presented tae rsiuou
strance of citizens of estmorlaad
county against the repeal of the pro
hibitory license law in said county
Bills Introduced. Mr. Anderson
!of Crawford-Act requiring appel
lants to prosecute tueir appe
trial within the time specified.
il to
-Mr. VYnod lielative to tuo open
lug of county roads.
Act providing for amendments, be
fore judgment, to mechanics' liet
Defeated.
Supplementary to tbe act to amend
certain defects m tbe law for tbe
more just and safe transmission and
to secure enjoyment of real and per
sonal estate, approved April 27, 1S55
declaring how mortgages and leases
provided for in the eighth section of
said act shall be recorded. Passed,
Act to amend tbe act fixing the
liability of stockholders of banks,
bankinir companies and other bank-
institutions in the Commonwealth
L st for want of the cons'.itational
majority.
Adjourned. . -
iiorsr.
The House met at 11 a. m.
The act fixing the compensation of
township officers wa3 amended and
laid over under the rule.
Mr. fcverhart, in a lew lecling re
marks, announced tbo death of Li.s
colleague, J. II. Rawlins, one of the
Representatives from Blair county,
and in conclusion submitted the fol
lowing, which was agreed to:
Rexolral, that a committee of eight
be appointed to draft resolutions of
condolence with the family of the de
ceased.
Jlr. odze3, on leave, read m
place a bill to make the 10 of May,
1871, a legal holiday.
Act to provide for running and
markinff county lines. Passed final-
Act to provide the mode
removal of county seats,
finally.
for tne
Passed
Mr. Smith, of Chester, asked leave
to read in place a bill for the protec
tion of sheep from dogs in the several
counties of tbe commonwealth. Tbe
above bill requires all dogs to be reg
istered, and imposes a tax of two
d. liars each on tbem.
Act providing a remedy, by man
damus, against supervisors of roads
who refuse or neglect to open or re
pair public roads. Passed finally.
Act to fix the amount of bail to be
given by sheriffs of the several coun
lies of the Commonwealth. Passed
Act to provide additional security
to holders and assignees of mortgages
in tbe Commonwealth. Pasted.
The act providing means for fc
curing the health and safety of per
sons employed in tbe bituminous
coal mines of Pennsylvania came up
on final passage, when, Mr. Irwio, of
Allegheny, moved, nnd Mr. Long
Seconded the . motion, to recommit
tbe bill to the General Judiciary
Committee, in order to permit the
Coal Exchange of Pittsburg to be
heard on the subject. Tbis gave rise
to an animateu ana protracted ae-
bate, lasting until the close of the
session.
Mr. Irwin supported bis motion in
a speech of some length, and dis
cussed the merits of tbe bill, stating
that he was opposed to it because it
was not needed.
Messrs. Christy and Grahora fol
lowed in the same strain.
Mr. Long also ropported the mo
tion to recommit, stating that tbe bill,
in its present shape, was very objec
tionable and would prove ' expensive
and troublesome. He remarked tbat
be did not think there were, a dozen
members on the floor who understood
tbe provisions of the bill nor their
application to bituminous mines in
certain parts of tbe State. He hoped
tbe Committee of the Coal Exchange
would be given a hearing.
Mr. Jackson, of Mercar, opposed
tbe motion and defended the bill.
He charged that the motion to recom
mit was made to kill it. "
Mr. Hays, of Allegheny, favored
the recommittal stating that no such
bill was wanted in Allegheny county.
The debate was further carried on
by Messrs. Irwin, Long. Hays,
Christy, Graham and Carson, 'oi
Allegheny, nnd Mr. Tal ley, on tbe
one side, and Messrs Mitchell, Wolfe,
Fincher, Jackson, Brown and Foster,
on the other. '
llr. Graff, of Beaver, Chairman of
the Committee on Mines andMininir.
stated that the bill had been before
tbat committee, bad been held over
for one week to give all parties a
chance to be beafd and had been ful
ly considered and reported ' to the
be
is
i azain rcierrcd to tbat committee,
House. He hoped it would not
: they had done all they could on tbe ; fish. Amended and passed,
subject. ' I Act antborifiug the Commissioners
j Notwithstanding this protest, Mr. of tbe several counties to fitthecom
j Irwin's motion was ameoded to re pensation for light, rent and fuel for
f-r the bill to the Committee on,
Minesand Mining, instead of to the
' I'icral judiciary.
Mr. Mitchell, Iif Tioga, took strong
, sounds for the bill, stating that it
v as demanfedby the miners of his
cuioty. Tbe debate took a w-ide
range, in which ventilation, mining
and tbe safety of miners were thor
oughly discussed. The hourj of ad
journment arriving before a vote was
reached, the bill goes over for another
week.
Adjourned.
llARr.isisTKO, March 1, 187C.
SENATE.
Tho Senate met at 10 A. M., the
Lieutenant Governor in the chair.
The followiogbilla were reported
favorably from committees:
Act to render valid any irrcgu'ari
ty in sealing up jury wheels or tak
ing the oath and Cling tho same in
the manner prescribed bylaw.
Act Oxing tbe amount of Ones and
pcua'ties which building and loan as
sociation? may impose, at two per
cent, for every month for non-payment
of installments, or stock or in
terest on loans.
Act to prevent empiricism in rela
tion to the practice of dentistry.
Act providing for appeals from the
ju gmeutoi Aldermen or justices ior
' iho wages of mauucl labor.
Act declairiug the offices of school
directors and auditors incoinpatable.
Act to make the 10th day of May,
ISi'.G, a legal ho'.iday.
Act exempting members A lodge-
from individual liability for lines and
dues for benefits, should the treasury
become empty.
Act relating to cbuittl mortgage.
Witb amendments
Bills Read in Place Act to furth
er icgulate the pay of county com
missioners. Act allowing jurors to le summon
ed for any length of time tbe court
may Cud necessary.
Act authoriz ng the appointment of
women as pris m inspectors.
Act regulating charges in palace
sleeping and diuing cars within tbe
Statu. Thi bill makes it unlawful
to charge moic than one dollar for a
siugrle berth, or sofa, or oue dollar
and fifty cents for a section for twelve
hours.
Mr. Wn'.sou offered the fallowing
wh'ch was ad'-pted :
It -solved, That a special session of
the Senate be held Wednesday after
no n next, March 8, for tbo purpose
of considering the act to permit de
fendents to testify in criminal cases.
Mr. Winslow presented a petiliou
of citizens of Indiana and Jefferson
couMties, praying for the passage of
an act fixing the compensation of
county commissioners at $2,000, and
for the payment of all fees in txcess
of thar. amount into the county treas
ury. ' Tbe following bills were considered
finally :
Act to protect the people of the
Commonwealth against incompetent
practitioners of medicine, snrgery
and obstetrics Amended and laid
over.
Adjourned.
IIOIKE.
The House met at 11 a. m.
House bill No. six dividing cities
into five classes, was called up by
Mr. Long, and passed the House fi
nally, tho vote being 150 yeas to 4
navs.
Tbc act making an appropriation
of 40,000 to tbe Centennial C oram is
sion for the purpose of erecting
State Centennial building, was called
np by Mr. rn.
Mr. Wolfe again moved to amend
by striking out tbe proviso in the bill
settinsr apart a room for the use of
the Legislature. It appearing tbat
there were other objections to tbe
bill on the part of certain members,
Mr. Irwio, of Allegheny, moved to
iro into Committee of the hole for
general amendment. This motion
was favored by Messrs, Christy,
Jackson, Foster and Reigbard, and
opposed by Messrs. Jr aunce, Zeru and
others. Tbc motion was not agreed
to yeasH:, uays 93.
the motion ot -Mr. Wolfe, to go
into Committee of the Whole for
special amendment was agreed to,
and tbe amendment stt'ikiuz out tbe
proviso was adopted. Tbe bill then
passed finally yeas 10S, nays 53.
Mr. Reigbard, Chairman of tbe
Committee on appropriations, called
up the General Appropriation bill,
aud then moved its recommittal back
to the Committee on Appropriations
for the purpose of inserting addition
al amendments. Agreed to ayes 76,
nays GO.
The House then proceeded to the
consideration cf bills on second read
ing, when the following were dispos
ed of as stated :
Act to provide for tbo payment of
canvas, transportation and grounds
for the purpose of tbe Centennial
encampment of the National Guard
Passed.
Mr. Taliev asked leave to read ia
place the bill reported affirmatively
from tbe Centennial Committee, for
regulating tbe Centennial Exhibition
held under the auspices of the Gov
ernment of tbe United States within
the Commonwealth, and preventing
tbe seizure of articles and goods de
posited on exhibition thereat.
Adiourne J.
Ilarrisburg, Match 2, 187S.
S E.NATE.
The Senate met at 10 a. m.
Bills introduced Mr. McNeill
Act requiring tbe payment of ex
penses incurred in calling out militia
to suppress riois of domestic insur
rection. Mr. Anderson, of Allegheny Act
to repeal nn act to regulate the exe
cution and transfer of notes given for
patent rights.
Bills onseeond readins Joint res
olution providing for a special com
mitteo to investigate tbc causes of
isputes and difficulties between em
ployer and employed in the Coal busi
ness of tbe Commou-wealib, and to i
report such legislation as they may
deem most effectual for tbe speedy
adjustment and settlement of such
disputes. After discussion, postpon
ed indefinitely.
Act to punish persons for pointing
or discharging firearms at other per
sons, within this Commonwealth.
Agreed to.
A resolution was adopted to hold
afternoon sessions hereafter on Wed
nesday and Thursday, from 4 to 6.
A resolution was adopted inviting
John . 1-oroey to address the Leg
islature npon the subject of bis Cen
tennial experience in Europe. Messrs.
Jones, Strang, Ilerr, Naglo aud
Yerkes were appointed a committee
to wait on bim. President Davis
w is also made an ex-ojjiciq member.
The Senate resumed consideration of
Bills ' on sacotid reeding Aci to
authorize the establishment of stihoob
for tbe education of deaf mutes in
certain cases. Passed.
j Act to amend and consolidate iLe
i several acts relating to game and game
election districts in their restmive
counties. Passed.
Further supplementary act regu
lating flection in the Common
wealth. Act empowering camp meeting a
sociations to employ a police force.
Pasi'd.
Adjourned.
iioise.
The House metal 11
a. m.
Bills read in p'ace Mr. Toner
Act to enable tb Commonwealth to
sell vacant lands.
Act to transfer the Marine Hospit
al in tho city of Erie to the Tracy
University.
Act to empower courts of the Com
mon weihh t restrain parties from
erectiug iron tanks for storing petro
leum ia close proximity to combusti
ble property, or in dangerous locali
ties. Bills on Second ReaUing Act to
carry into effect Section five of Arti
cle fourteen ot tbe Constitution, rela
tive to county officers. Tbe consid
eration of this bill occupied tbe re
maining hours of tbe morning ses
sion. Mr. Zern called up the act to pro
vide for the proper representation of
the mineral resoirces of Pennsylva
nia at the Centennial Exhibition at
Philadelphia. Passed first roadiug.
Act making appropriation to provide j
forau educauoual uisplay at tbe Cen
tennial Exposition aud to erect a suit
able scboolbouse, or other bui;diog,
for that purpose. Passed secoud
reading,
The act fixing the conip'usation of
county oliicers of counties coutaiuing
less than 150,000 iuhabituuts, provid
ingforthe payment of all fees receiv
ed by them into tbo couuty treasu
ry, was called up ou second reading,
wben a motion was adopted that tbe
House bold a special session next
Wednesday evening, at f:30, fjr the
purpose of cousideriog tbe bill.
Act to preveut the unlicensed sale
of merchandise at auction iu any
city, borough or township by other
than licensed venders and auction
eers. Passed second reading.
Ibe IloUsemet at 4 p. M. and re
sumed consideration of the bill rela
tive to tbe salaries ot county officers.
After some few additional amend
ments were added, the bill passed
second reading. The bill, as amend
ed, cuts off all perquisies of county
officials.
Adjourned.
Ilarrisburg, March, 3, 1S7.
SENATE.
Bills on Third Reading Bill for
tbe prevention of unnecessary exper
iments on dumb animals. Made
the special order for next Wednesday
afternoon.
Providing for the punishment of
jtersons for poiutiug or discharging
firearms at other persons. Passed.
A uiborizinir tbe Commissioners of
the several counties to fix tbe com
pensation for, reni and fuel for elec
tioa districts. Passed.
To protect tbe people of the Com
monwealth against incompetent prac
titioners of Medicine, surzery and
obstetrics. Passed.
To provide for changing tbe loca
tion of the principal oflices of certain
corporations. Passed.
Providing for the publication of the
eleventh volume of tbe transactions
of the State Agricultural Society
Passed.
Adjourned till Monday evening.
IIOCNC.
Messrs, Zern, Hays and others
presented petitions asking enlarge
ment of the jurisdiction ot aldermen.
Mr. Talley offered a resolution ap
pointing a committee of five to wait
on the Hon. John W. Foruey, of
Philadelphia, and request bitu to de
liver to tbe Legislature his address
on "The Centennial Abroad.' Agreed
to.
Adjourned until Monday evening
at bait-past seven.
Terrible Wind Storm.
Cxroat Destruction of
lroxertj'.
St. Louis, Feb. 28. A terrible
wiud storm, amounting almost to a
tornado, struck tbe northern part of
St. Charles, Mo., yesterday afternoon,
and passing down Main and Second
treets demolished or badly mjured
twenty tr more buildings. Among
those most seriously damaged are
Kramer's warehouse wrecked and his
flouring mill greatly injured, the
court bouse unroofed and the front
blown down, the county jail unroof
ed and tbe walls blown down two
stories below tbe roof, leaving the
iron cells exposed. Concert Hall and
St. Charles Saving Bank, tie gas
works, Piper's agricultural warehouse
totally destroyed. Tbe First Nation
al Ban& will have to be pulled down.
The County Clerk's office, tbe Cali
fornia House, the Democrat. Ae'ca
and Zeltvivj newspaper oflices, the
Park Hotel, tbe German Methodist
Church, Odd Fellows' building and
numerous other buildings ali badly
injured. James Gnsney, an employe
at the gas works, and his little soa
were killed. Three or four other
persons ere more or less injured.
The storm went in the direction ef
Portage Des Sioux and is said to
have destroyed several farm bouses
and injured a number of per.-on J.
The storm lasted less tbad five min
utes. The damage at St Charles is
estimated at $300,000, but this is
probably exaggerated.
Later advices from St. Charles
stale tbe damage done by tbe torna
do yesterday as much exaggerated,
but it will still be heavy, probably j
from a hundred thousand to one hua
dred and fifty thousand dollars.
1 be remains oi ueorge mueuur, a
boy, were found iu tbe debris this
morning. 1 his makes tbe third per-
son killed by the
storm, and aoout
twenty persons were injured.
Cincinnati, Feb. 23 A dispatch
from Evansville, lnd., says that a
tornbdo at Princeton, lnd., last night,
blew down ten houses. One bouse
was burned. An old lady and a boy
were seriously injured.
A special from Evansville places
the number of houses blown down by
the-tornado at Princeton, Gibson
county, Indiana, last night attbirty
niue. Tbe storm struck'the south
western part of the town, and al
though it Jested but one minute, bad
ly damaged the Sue' DubTic SLbool
building, demolished the new Church
r .h. . j .
lUD vw.cu.uvri., uuruoieu iree?, , uuairucnons at L matilla Rapids, Col
blew down fences 4c. A large num- j onibia river, blew up this morning,
ber of persons were injured, De or j Some say the boiler exploded and
two fatally so. A little child was j others say that a package of giant
blown from its betf into a garden, and powder exploded. The boat was
another was blown a hundred yards, blown to pieces. One man was killed
and was .ocnC od a railroad track. and two fatally injured, and twelv
The names' of the injured, as far as I are missing, supposed to have ' beea
ascertained, .sre Mrs. Clark, back ! blown into the mer
broken ; Jas. Taylor, injured inter
nairy: Mrs. Blackherd, thigh broken;
Miss Kindle, both legs broken. The
family of Mr. Jenn'ngs were all more
or less injured. A number of hors
es were killed. There are rumors of
great damage throughout tbe sur
rounding conntry, but no particnltrs
bave been received. The damage in
Princeton is estimated at over f !0,
00. Additional particulars from Patokr,
a station a few miles north of Prince
ton, says many hailstones were found
there measuring over six inches in
circumference, and some nearly eight
inches Further reports from Prince
ton state that eight persons were
dangerously injured, four of whom
are not expected to recover. One
woman lost ber eyesight Over fifty
houses were totally demolished, and
about fifty more were badly damag
ed. The tornado ws tbe most se
vere from the north of tbe public
square in the southern limits of the
town. In the track of the storm it is
impossible to distinguish streets or
fo-iner locations of residences, eve
rything being prostrated and spread
over tbe ground. Several persons
were buried under the wreck of tbeir
dwellings and were taken out un
harmed to-day. One family found
themselves walking on tbe ceilings
of their rooms, tbe house having
been inverted ; yet tbey escaped un
harmed, while these who attempted
lo escape were injured.
Chica.-.o February 2?. A terrific
wind, rain aud thunder storm pre
vailed iu ibis section last night, last
ing uii i morning. It was e-pecial-h
severe in the vicinity of Milwau
kee. Telegraphic communication is
eot'rely severed witb poiuts north of
here, and the wires are reported bad
Iv down iu all directions.
A rearfal rail.
Yesterday morning a moving enip
tp freight train, on the Fort Wayne
Railroad, collided with a wagon
loaded with dressed bogs at a point
between Tenth and Eleventh streets
w bich a reckless driver foolishly
f rced across tbe Hack in tbe face of
the train, and, though the consequen
ces, so far as the promoter of tbe ac
cident was concerned, was but the
demolition of the wagon and an ac
tive movement of pork, incidenta'ly
the occurrence was the cause of
a serious accident, of which a clerk in
the Fort Wayne freight office was
the unfortunate victim. After tbe
clliei;n the train was promptly
stopped, and tbe large crowd that
collected npon tbe scene of tbe acci
dent incited the curiosity of the
clerks in the freight office, and tbe
clerks rushed to the windows to see
the cause of tbe excitement. One of
these, Robert Cooper, aged 20 years,
ot Sowickley, in the genera! scram
ble was precipitated out of the third
story window. In bis descent he
turned a complete somersault and
struck tbe ground feet first. Those
who witnessed tbe accident, rushed
toward the young man, expecting to
fiud him a corpse. To tbeir surprise
he was still living and conscious,
although bis cries of pain sent a
thrill through the veins of the spec
tators. He was carried into tbe
office aad a physician promptly sum
moned. It was found tbat both
ankles bad been fractured, tbat bis
spine was injured and tbat he had
two frightful cuts on tbe bead, and
it is feared that he has sustained
serious internal injuries. The phy
sicians do not consider tbat bis inju
ries are of a fatal character. His
escape from instant death consider
ing tbe height ftom which he fell,
seems almost miraculous. Pitts
hv.rg Gazette ith innt.
Tbe Taae f Secretary Belknap.
WAsniNOTOjr, March 3. The Cab
inet met at noon to-day with all the
members present, and remained in
session until after 3 o'clock. The
subjects tbat received consideration
were the institution of criminal pro
ceedings against ex-secretary Bel
knap, and those who were associated
with him, in tbe practices of bribery
and corruptiou that bave just been
officially discovered, and the selec
tion of a new Secretary of war.
Tbe President staled to the Cabi
net that while he Couid take no steps
which might look like the persecu
tion of any one, be bad determined
not to shrink from the responsibility
tbat rested upon bim, and be there
fore asked tbe At'trney General to
take immediate steps to proceed witb
criminal charges against Uen. Bel
knap and Messrs. Marsh and Tom-
linson, and all others shown by any
evidence that shall be adduced to
have had part in the fearful transac
tions that were the subject of atten
tion. CHARACTER OF THE CASE.
Upon this determination of tbe
President there were full and
thorough expressions of tbe opinion
favoring such action as tbe President
bad determined upon without delay.
Tbe peculiar character of Gen Bel
knap's offeuse, differing in many re
spects as it does from an ordinary
case of bribery, was a subject of com
ment and discussion, the result of
which was tbe reference of the en
tire matter to the Attorney General,
who wiil take tbe necessary steps to
enter criminal proceedings just as
soon as the facts can be put in shape
to be sworn to. As a part of the
discussion it is mentioned that there
should be no delay in the proceed
ings, because of tbe progress of an
impeachment trial. Tbe two trials
will be entirely independent of each
other.
Jl'lH-iE PIERREPONT
remained at the Executive Mansion
for a short time after the other Cab
inet officers had gone to their respec
tive departments, for the purpose of
getting what facts tbe President
might be possessed of in accordance
with bis determination to commence
immediately tbe proceeding under
bis charge.
Tbe discussion relative to the ap-
I pointment of a successor to Secreta
ry Belknap was of considerable
length, bat no decision was arrived
at, and there will probably be another
Cabiuet session about it.
Mra tm Nevada.
Salt Lake, Utah, March 3 A
heavy snow storm is reported near
Virginia City, Nevada. Several
snow slides on tbe mountains have
occurred in the neighborhood of Cis
co. One train is reported wrecked!
All the telegraph wires are down.
Sax Francisco, March I. 4 dis
patch from J'ortland, Oregob, says,
a Steam SCOW Un ll In A.irA
. "