The New York Herald Newspaper, March 4, 1876, Page 3

THE PUBLIC SHAME Views of Prominent Oitizens on Belknap’s Disgrace. A NATIONAL CALAMITY. General Demoralization Through- out the Country. EXTRAVAGANCE IN OFFICIAL SOCIETY. Uncompromising Sentiments of the Newspaper Press. ‘The erime of Secretary Belknap and his impeach- ment was the engrossing topic of conversation in all tircles yesterday. The news of the corruption he had been practising, the sudden and unexpected announce- ment of the damning evidence against him, his ac- knowledgment of the offence, his prompt resignation and its acceptance by the President, camo crowding to the ears of the people and for a time bewildered them, In this special case all the honored precedents in inves- tigating tactics seem to have been disregarded; the préss was kept in comparative ignorance of the evi- flence the committee had in hand, and until its work was concluded and a determination arrived at no inti- mation of its scope was bruited abroad. The old plan— the plan which has thwarted many an investigation— of manufacturing a public sentiment against the per- ton or department to be investigated by the publication now and then of scraps of proof of political corrup- Mon and knavery was happily disregarded by Mr. Clymer’s committee. When its work was finished it presented the results and recommendations as 4 unit and before the proper tribunal, To a public trained and used to the hearing of details of alleged political knavery the convincing array of incontrovertible evidence presented by the House com- mittee was too much for immediate comprehension, None of the moral force of the lesson taught was lost by gradual teaching; it was unlooked for and came from an unexpected source. It was well done, being done quickly. Early yesterday the crowding of the awful intelli- gence was so great thatthe public seemed hardly to realize the truth of the reports; butas.the day advanced and the facts were intellectually digested, one by one, opinions began to form and ideas to find expression. The genoral sentiment, taking the people as a whole, is that the thing itself and its development can only be regarded in the light of a national calamity. People, whose pride of country would not allow them to go behind the verdict in the Babcock case, and who were painiully conscious of the narrow and technical escape the nation’s honor had in that fearful struggle, were chapfallen indeed when they learned that, by his own acknowledgment, one of the President’s chosen few oficial counsellors had accepted the pieces of silver. A man whose advice was sought and regarded by the federal Executive; a man into whose hands was re- posed the sacred trust of the nation’s armies, and on whose judgment and integrity our existence as a pation, in a measure, would depend in the event of war, fallen from his high estate, was, indeed, a pic- ture to astonish the cynic and the patriot alike. The pitiable and degraded position of a tallen man, who had been but yesterday a pet of the people, excited sympathy on all sides. No one’s voice was raised in condemnation of the ruined man; im fact, he scemed to have been forgotten, in the face of the great dis- grace that had fallen on the people. Duped and be- fooled in the highest executive branch of the govern- ment how could honest men reasonably bo looked for ‘mong the lowly? OPINIONS OF EX-GOVERNOR DIX. Ex-Governor Dix said to a Henap reporter last evening that he had read with profound regret the story of ex-Secretary Belknap’s offences and deplored the occurrence of such @ disgrace to one of the na- tion’s Cabinet Ministers. There is, said the ex-Gov- ernor, a general demoralization al over the country. It appears week after week in the exposure of frauds and corruption in political as well as mercantile affairs. Twenty years ago, in his addresses to the people, he said, he had foretold and warned them that such a pe- ried as the present was coming. With the growth and increasing prosperity of the country there began a departure from the old time practices and customs, This departure was accelerated by the war. General Dix does not believe that the exposure of Belknap’s doings will interfere with Grant’s prospects of a third term, because there have been no prospects of a third term recently. He believed that what the country needs is a President, strong, firm and able, who will bave the courage to bring about the restoration of purity and honesty to public affairs. With Washington society he was not familiar, and could not, therelore, speak of the temptations in official life at the capital. He could not see what particular bearing the Belknap caso would ha’ jpon the republican party, but be did not think it followed that because of recent exposurcs the democratic party are entitled to the Presidency. A SYMPTOM OF THE STATE OF SOCIETY. Mr. George Ticknor Curtis said sesterday:—‘‘I have not paid much attention to the details of the Belknap matter. I only know in general that it turns out that Mr. Belknap, Secretary of War, or his wife, one or the other, has for years been in the receipt of a large sti- pend for having appointed a certain individual to a lu- crative trading post. The revelation isa horrible oc- currence, painful and humiliating in the Jast degree to every citizen who is capable of feeling for the honor of the country. I fear, however, that it is only asymptom ofa state of society in Washington, Among some of the official classes theres a strong ten- dency toward extravagance of living, Comparatively small salaries must, in order to sustain such expendi- tare, be eked out by peculation or dishonorable practices of some kind. In regard to the political effoct of the occurrence I do not know whether it is or is not likely to put an end to the idea of General Grant's being nominated for a third term. I have long believed thatthe torruptions of this administration are very great, and | that unless the peopie of the country sball determine to put the government into the bands of the opposition, by placing the democrats in power under circumstances _ ot such responsibility as will prevent this kind of cor. ruption and all other kinds, we may well despair of seeing anything like good and honest government, It may turn out inthis particular case that Mr. Belknap — ‘was not cognizant of this nefarious contract at its in- ception, but that it was orginally made with his de- — ceased wife without his knowledge. It is yet too soon to form any opinion as to the degree of bis personal culpability in the matter. There will, of course, be a Tigid investigation.” RECORDER HACKETT SAYS that the affair is a matter for deep regret among all classes. It matters not what» man’s politics may be, be cannot help feeling that the whole nation is, in a Measure, brought into disgrace. It compromises us in the eyes of other pooplo; yet it is likely that bot. tom of the dreadful matier has not yet been reached and that others in high positions will be torn down and fisgraced. It isa pitiful affair, because Mra. Belknap \s mixed up in it. No one can help fecling the greatest degree of sympathy for her. BEECHER KNOWS NOTHING. A reporter of the Henan called on Mr. Beecher yesterday to ask bis opinion of the Belknap case. When the question was put to him he seemed to feel relieved that he was going to get off so easily, and answered quickly:—‘‘Bless me! I don't know anything about it. lL only read it this morning as an item of news. I bave nothing to say on the subject.” He then remarked :— “41 thought you had come, like all the rest of them, to see whether I was alive or dead. There have been about tweuty reporters here to-day for that purpose.”’ MR. AUGUSTUS SCHELL'S VIEWs. ‘This gentleman, who ss President of the Manhattan Club Chairman of the National Democratic Execu- tive Committee, was found inthe back parlor of the Union Trust Company, corner of Broadway and Rector mroet, Mr, Scholl did not feel like giving expression to his private views in relation to the catastrophe at Washington. Ho said that it was too soon to talk and shat he did not wish to say anything. Hesaid that the NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 1876.-WITH SUPPLEMENT. @emocratic members in Congress who were investi; tog corruption would take care of that, and that he knew of no preparations for the fuperal of the republi- can party being made by the sorrowing democracy. Mr, Schell did not know of any proposed meeting of democratic leaders in New York or elsewhere to take action in the matter; and he also stated that it was mot his intention to cail the National Executive Committee together to take action in any special way; but, with & quiet smile, reiterated his first remark, that thedem- ocratic members would attend in Congress to the inves- tigation and that was all that was necessary. NO FUNERAL, Chief Justice George Shea, of the Marine Court, stated that there could not be any funeral of the repub- lican party if there was nobody to bury left after the exposé, Ho saw no reason that any honest citizen should rejoice, however, at the shame and disgrace that had fallen on Secretary Belknap and the country at large. Judge Shea added that ne did not wish to talk of the shameful and sorrowful spectacle for publica- tion by any means, and no matter to what party a cit- zen belonged there was uo cause for joy. THE HALF NOT YET KNOWN, Mr, Taylor is a member of the Manhattan Club, and a leader in the democratic party. He said tt might be possible to impeach the President if the developments inoreased in the investigation, and it Robinson's story was true, referring to the Fort Sill trader, “Why,” exclaimed Mr. Taylor, ‘they talk about the stealing that has been done in New York! It is nothing to what is being done in Washington. The whole country is theirs to draw upon, Whata Secretary of War Wickham or Andy Garvey would make. (Here Mr. Taylor laughed so much that his humor become infectious to all around him), The half of the corruption at Washington has not yet been spoken of,” concluded Mr. Taylor. Nor “MUCH OF A SHOWER.” Collector Arthur yesterday stated, in the course of | conversation, that he did not think the exposure of Secretary Belknap would affect the republican party in the approaching campaign im any appreciable degree. ‘Tho people, he ielt sure, would not visit the sins of an individual on the great party to which he unfortunately belonged and for which it was in po way answerable. DISTRICT ATTORNEY PHELPS ON A WRECKED REPUTATION. In his ‘summing up” yesterday of the case of Aus- tin Black, on trial for subornation of perjury, in the Court of Oyer and Terminer, District Attorney Phelps alluded to the Cabinet disaster as follows:—‘'The very air rings, while I speak, with horror, and the whole country has shuddered to find that in the most unex- pected moment a gallant soldier, high in the confidence of the nation and deservedly entrusted with one of its highest posts, against whom the breath of suspicion has never cast a reproach; who bore throughout the conflicts of the war a plume as stainless as Henri of Na- varre; whose services in the field and Cabinet have been recognized by a grateful country; that even he—a soldier,a gentleman of unsullied record, of most hon- orable instincts—that he yielded to a sudden and over- whelming temptation and fell, as fell Lucifer, the son of the morning, and the place that knew him before | will know him no more, and those who loved him, apd the great mass of our countrymen, go about with downcast eyes and sorrowing hearts, regretting that a reputation so bright as his is sbattered forever; and we go with averted faces and cast the mantle of oblivion over the record of his shame.’” IMPEACHMENT OF GRANT. General F. B. Spinola, formerly State Senator, thought the turmoil would ultimately result in the im- peachment of Grant, He considered that ample ground | existed at present for the adoption of such a course by Congress. “The republican party is doomed,” said the General, ‘‘and this is but the beginning of the end,"” WHAT GENERAL PINCKNEY THINKS, The First Assembly District Republican Association held a special meeting last evening. Colonel Joseph C. Pinckney, who was present, representing the Execu- tive Committee of the Republican Central Committee, stated that several complaints had been made to that body by republicans, stating that they had been refused membership im the various district associations, and the meeting had been called in order to allow fair play to all true republicans desirous of becoming members. On Thursday ovening last the Executive Committee had docided to adopt this course, in view of the various complaints. It was of the utmost importance that there should be no cause of dissension among the mem- bers of the republican party at the coming election. A very short time ago everything seemed to indicate that the republican party would elect their candidate for President, but within afew days there had been a wet blanket thrown upon them by the recent exposures at Washington. The democratic press and members of Congress had seen fit to tnrow the entire re- sponsibility of Belknap’s conduct on the whole republican party. It was unfair to hold the party re- sponsible for the disgraceful and dishonorable acts of one man, The democratic party micht as well be held responsible for the frauds perpetrated by William | M. Tweed. As for the statement that President Grant was cognizant of Belknap’s conduct, General Pinckney felt positively sure that he was totally in ignorance of the matter—that on hearing the startling revelation his head was bowed with sorrow and shame. In con- elusion, he said that there was still left in the republi- can party enough honesty and vitality to insure its success, CITY OFFICIALS ON THE SCANDAL. The excitement and discussion consequent upon the downfall of General Belknap extended to the City Hail. Yesterday the local political representatives who gen- erally congregate in this Vicinity spent their “entire time in canvassing the pecallar circumstances of this latest national scandal. Mayor Wickham spoke of the subject to the Heratp representative in a strain which betokened deep regret fer the humiliation brought upon the whole country by the fraudulent actions of ono of its Cabinet officers, He did not wish to discuss the disgrace from any po- litical standpoint, It was a matter which would be looked upon in the light of a calamity to the whole country. We might give foreign governmenis an op- portunity to decry republican institutions and argue as to their failure. “It is indeed asad spectacle,” con- clued the Mayor, ‘and one which all interested in their country’s welfare must look upon with feelings of sincere regret.”” A NATIONAL SHAME—DUT STILL NO NEWS FROM TWEED. Sheriff Conner remarked that his own trouble, | brought about by the escape of Tweed, so much usurped his attention he had scarcely time to consider anything else. ‘I ha lready spent over $6,000 in the search for Tweed,” said the Sheriff, “and have not yet been able to get the slightest clew to his where- abouts, It 1s extraordinary that a man so well known as Tweed should securely secrete himself foe such a Jength of time without discovery. As to Belknap’s case, can only look upon it in the light of an Amer joan citizen. Itisa dreadful affair, and much to be deplored. No mere partisan view should be taken of this latest expos: of fraud in public office. It is hot aquestion of democrat against republican, but a crime which must bring the biash of shame to every man who loves his country. THR COST OF KEEPING UP APPEARANCES. Alderman Pinckney thought the influence of Mra Belknap had a great deal to do with the downfall of her husband. She was a lady fond of fashionable dis- play, and this mania bad led her into indiscretions in order to obtain funds for the keeping up of appear- ances. GRANT NOT RESPONSIBLE. Alderman Billings did not consider that President Grant could be held in any way responsiblo for the acts of his Cabinet officer, or blamed for the hasty accept- ance of General Belknap’s resignation, He (the Presi- dent) bad not sufficient reason to doubt the honesty of his Secretary of War; the gentleman's record had been always good, in fact brilliant, before those charges be- came known at the White House, ONLY AN INDIVIDUAL MATTER, scandal would affect the interests of the republican party. Lt was certainly unfortunate that such frauds should have been committed within the lines of the organization; but it was an individual matter, and in- dividuals should alone suffer for their misdeeds, “BaD FoR THE REPUBLICAN PaMTY.’? General William F. Smith, President of the Board of Police, was found at tho Central Office adjudicating on the delinquencies of New York policemen. What do you think of the Belkuap affair, Goneral?’” asked the reporter. The yeteran army officer stroked his beard and Alderman and ex-Jadge Howland did not thing the | smiled as he answered :—‘*Well, I must confess I was astonished when I heard of it, At first I did not be- lieve it trae, but there seems to be no doubt about it no’ “Were you acquainted with the late Secretary ?” “Yes. I know him at one time quite well, although we never served together in the war. Du quaintance I never had reason to suspect his probity of character. His unqualified confession of guilt would seem to establish one thing, and that is that his crime | was not so much due fo his @irect as to his indirect wrongful act. There is but little doubt that he was gradually led into it oy his wife. Of course bis posi- tion in life and bis reputation should bave given bim firmness enough to resist the temptation. By the way, speaking of his confession,” laughingly added the General, ‘‘his course is somewhat different from that generally pursued by our policemen; they admit nothing,’ and he glanced at an array of officers waiting their turn to affirm their innocence on oath, “Does it not strike you General,” suggested the re- porter, ‘that the President has been exceedingly un- fortunate in tho selections of his Cabinet?” “I should think it does, During the war there were men who had the confidence of Grant to the highest degree whowere not ft to be trusted beyond sight, and in civil life the facts would seem to indicate that no change in this respect has taken place.” “Do you think others will be implicated now that investigation is set on foot ?”” “It would not surprise me if news equally as startling as that about Belknap came from Washington before long. It is notorious that corruption exists in high circles there and to no slight degrea. The President is surrounded by men who under cover of honesty carry on their stealings.” “What do you think, General, will be the offect of Belknap’s ruin upon the Republican party in the com- ing campaign ?’’ “Tt will be most disastrous, The oyes of the people being now opened to the frauds perpetrated by them ‘will not soon close, and unless the democratic party make some sad blunder their victory at the next elec- | tion is almost certaii “But you anticipate no such blunder, do you, Gen- eral?” “No, L can’t say that I do, but there is no foretelling. Thousands of honest republicans inevery State in the Union will rally to the democratic banner if they sce | adesire on the part of that party to carry out its | fundamental principles, Yes, this crash in tho ad- | ministration, I think, strikes a fatal blow to the re- publican party. It has been long coming, but it has arrived at last. I remember when I was in Washing- ton, not many years ago, tbat it w: matter of no- toriety that among tho hangers on ot the President, who had his confidence, was a man who, while hang- ing out his sign as a er, not far from the White House, made no secret of his true calling, which was that of a lobbyist, His influence with the President was all powerful, and this influence was a purchasablo commodity. On the whole,’’ said the Goneral, in conclusion, “I look upon the fall of Bolknap as a fitting climax to the corruption of the present administra- tion.” MARSH'S CONNECTION WITH THE TEA TRADE. Mr. Caleb P. Marsh, the witness against Belknap, has an office at No. 120 Front street, in this city, where Mr. Cary, has a wholesale tea store, that , he keeps samples and buys and sells invoices of goods in the tea trade, Originally, it appears, Mr. Marsh was a furniture man in Cincinnati in good busi- nes: 4 possessing an ample fortune. A year ago last November, Mr. Cary, it is said, married his niece, and therefore Mr. Marsh, came with them to New York, Mr. Cary afterward established the tea firm of Cary & Co., Mr. Marsh being the silent partner, and, according to general belief, the person who furnished most of the money to start the business. The firm has avery fair reputation on tho street, and bas been doing a good business. Mr. Marsh’s name does not appear on the sign of the establishment. BROOKLYN SENTIMENT. © All classes and conditions of men and women in the City of Churches fora time intermitted the endless discussion of the local scandal and shuddered over the details of Belknap’s fall. In most circles the subject was treated asa matter for profound regret, and many | ‘a virtuous lesson was deduced from the frailty of a fair woman and the ambition of a brave man, fallen under the temptation to a life of vain rivalry in extravagant display. “@LAD ov IT.” Said a leading democratic politician of Brooklyn to the writer:—‘‘I am glad of it. They have a little racket of their own now on the republican side of the fence, For the past twoor three years they have becn the party of moral ideas and infallibility, whereas we have been all that was corrupt and wicked. They threw Tweed at us until we bad nothing tosay. All that was pure and good they took credit for on that side of the fence, and they know how it is themselves, and they know it, too, at a time when they can least afford to have it made public. I know of no more lamentable exposition of administra- tive imbecility than that which is displayed in the ex- posures by the press to-day. Don’t say anything moro about the third term problem; that is out of the ques- tion, There is no earthly prospect of success for Roscoe Conkling—Donkling or no Donkling—rbyme or | no rhyme All republican candidates are good for a free passage up Salt River. In my opinion Samuel J. Tilden has the inside track to-day, Well, ‘it isan ill wind that blows nobody good;’ but I never dia think that there was much stock to be taken tn that ‘party of moral ideas’ which arrogated to themscives all that was virtuous in politica. This has been a bad year for the ‘B’s’ in every walk in life. In Brooklyn we have our Beecher, Bowen and Beli; in Washington they have had their Babcock, and now they have a Belknap burden, Poor old Tweed has been a scapegoat for political demagogues for @ long time, but it is a jong Jane that bas no turn.”” NEWSPAPER OPINIONS. [From the Newark (N. J.) Advertiser. } The moet kindly explanation that can be mado is that, asthe witness Marsh states, the bargain was made with Mrs. Belknap, and thatit wasa case of Samson and Delilah, [From the Philadelphia Press—republican. } It is the old, old story. Avery, a department clerk on asalary of acouple of thousand dollarsa year, goes into brilliant society for a fow brief years, and to-day tht je of the Penitentiary claims him for its | own. Belknap, the Secretary, on asalary of $8,000, | lives at the rate of say $15,000 to $20,000, and to-day | | he stands absolutely without a future—the good record of his sword, the faithfal and meritorious service of | his subordinate official life, all blotted out in one brie! hour, A good name bas been lost, a life has been ruined—and for what? Itis a startling commentary ‘on our social life that nearly every case of official cor- ruption bree She ay during the last year—every crime done, every bribe taken—has been to gain the means to support a short season of vulgar social extravagance. It is not drink, it is not gaming, It is not licentiousness which drags down one after another of our public men | inthis time, It is—terrible truth!—their wives and | daughters, {From the Philadelphia Public Record.) To the President himself, who has always made ita | matter of pride to trust to his own personal acquaint- ance of private judgmeut in his appointments to office, this will be a severe blow. [From the Philadelphia Inquirer.) In all the history of our country we bave suffered | no such disgrace as this. The spectacie of a chief magistrate on trial before the Senate is not to be com- red to that which will be presented in that body to- y. The charges against Andrew Johnson wore virtues compared with the crimes for which General Belknap must anewer to his country. (From the Philadelphia North American. } No man has ever considered General Belknap as a statesman, but he was a good soldier, of amiable dis- por nd universally believed to be beyund personal reproach, Thata man having every reason to reta the respect of his fell uch a mi demeanor 4s to sell for betterment of his priv: revenues important positions under the government, tn the Gilling of which every requirem of honesty and public policy demanded an utter avoidance of ail personal iniluences, is nearly incredibte, (From the Philadelphia City Kem } " The nation will sympathize with the President in the new annoyance and trouble that comes to him from the disgraceful and appalling downfall of Belknap. (From the Philadelphia Public ee eerie.) Whether innocent or guilty, sach a man, with such antecedents and surroundings, must, in bis preset situation, suflor more than twenty Tweeds would euf If guilty, every man who prizes aud who would uphold the 1 trive to maintain purity in the law take its course, | cacy of ber laws and government, must say ! [From the New Har 1 President Grant bas shown more ingenuity in mak- ing bad selections of Cabinet officers than in any other part of his official career. Extract Jowel! Bristow and the devil would hardly accept the remainder! [From the Rochester Union—democratic. It Is, perbaps, all for the best that the natural fruits of Orentien should thus develop themselves in the Jhiah nlaces of the admjniatiestion. even at the east af | At the station hoase he admitted having struck Smith, | were detained in the station bouse over night, ational Pitti Tt will bave ie Fg _ Pressing u, the le the necessity of the 5) aod poe oan teeing which the democratic press of ‘the country have so long Ia! The worst foes of Grantism are indeed of its own household The Schencks id the Babeocks did their share compassing the system, and now Belknap comes to ad- minis coup de grace. The people will have no more of it, From the Hartford Times—democratic. } One thing is ovident. The men of t rty in power chance must be given fora new ing into our country’s very vitals will destroy the Republic. ‘Things cannot go on in this way. Our government and its civil service is getting to be more rotten than thi Wecan hope for ro honest government #0 long as the head men themselves are corrupt. [From the Newark Register—democratie. } Secretary Belknap is only a representative of the class of men whom the President attached to his person and with whom he has filled the offices, high and low, whieh he has held at bis disposal. When first | made President he commenced his administrative career by declining the services of nearly all the men of omipent ability and established character in the re- party. a French communist of the low- , the possession of brains by any man with whom he came in contact seemed to overcome him with a sense of oppression, and he would have no capa- ble men about his person. From the Worcester (Mass,) Gazette—democratic. ] + is a disgrace which even the tmperturbable Grant will feel keenly, and there is little doubt but that he will do all he can to defend bis Secretary whether ho =m right or in the wrong. The democrats have scored a point at last, that must be admitted. (From the Washington Star.) Mt would appear, further, that the wrong doing origi- pated, not many grecd for money for its own sake, but through the feminine weakness of desiring to make ‘@ more distinguished figure socially than the galary of the husbaod would justify, It is the old, old story gate another chapter in the history of Vanity Fair, [From the Philadelphia Times—democratic. ] He saw the highest oftices in the government bestowed in return for gifts of houses and lands and bonds. He saw Shepherd the confidant and adviser of the Presi- dont, and Williams ana Delano sut by his side at the Cabinet board. He saw the wives of Cabinet officers driving in fine carriages and giving costly receptions, for which he knew the salaries of their husbands could | pot provide, and wished that his wife should shine as brightly in society as any of them. She, too, found that the one passport to success was money, and’ money she must have. Why should Belknap be more virtuous than his associates? Here was money thrust upon him without his seeking, and should:he refuse it? It was not public money; it was oniy the money of an Indian trader, who could well afford to pay, and nobody would be the worse for his taking ‘ould be pot bea fool to refuse to do as everybody did and take all that ho could get? In some such Way as this, we can imagine, the thing presented itself to his mind, if, indeed, he ever stopped to think of it, He was in Rome and he did as ‘the’Romans did, From the Utica (N. Y.) Observer.) Those who kuew him best were loudest in his praise. | They asserted with one accord that never, in all his lite, had he been guilty of a dishonorable act. More- over ho was educated in the conservative school of politics, and he believed that the military should be subordinate to the civil authority. He seemed, there- fore, an excellent man for the place, Butin Washing, | ton he could not escape the contaminating influences which surrounded him on every side, [From the Baltimore Sun.) The evidences of guilt have proved to be so over- whelming as to have left the Secretary no refuge but precipitate resignation, the community nothing but | shame and mortitication and the Congress no duty but impeachment, It is not remembered that articles of | impeachment were ever betore {framed in the history of | the government against a Cabinet officer, and im this | case the national mortification will be so much the greater from the general coniden irrespective of party, reposed in General Belknap, and will do more than any other of the long list of soaniels to sap pub- lic confidence in official virtue. In this view the down- fall of the Secretay of War affords zation of the wid read demo rife, which, Ii neer, seems to have spread civ! its fatal roots everywhere, tainting what seemed fairest and what ought to be the bestin the |, and which we seen fated to endure almost until anew generation, | trained in a different school of morals, rises to take the Place of the present {From the Washington Chronicle. The astounding revelations regarding the conduct of General Belknap, the details of which we publish else- where, fall over the country like a pall, Coming into the Cabinet with a bright record asa soldier, with an | honorable record as an officer in the civil service ot the [bbe 1 all united in the belief that his faults, if any, would be the result of lack of experience, not of good intention. None expected that he would ever | tarnish his record by conduct that would be a disgrace to-himself and to nis friends. } The testimony, so convincing in its character, leaves | no room for apology and admits of no defence. It | needs no comment nor criticism, The Jaw will take its course; but no punishment can add to the sorrow now. | being Suffered by General Belknap. Those who know him well, who are familiar with his many noble tralia | of character and nis generous nature, and who read carefully the testimony, will see how the entanglement woven around him lod him {nto the vortex. } [From the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. } Tho Presiaent’s prompt acceptance of the resignation | is shocking, bat not surprising. Itis just like him to “regret,” a8 he says, the resignation of any tainted | official, and his acceptance of the resignation is plainly | meant to shield the offender. We shail not be sur- rised if there proves to be a graver reason yet in it, | ¢ post tradeships are as openly sold by Orville Grant, | the President’s brother, as biankets ure sold by A. T. Stewart or leather by J. 8, Schultz The profits that can be paid for any ono of them—ove: 000 in four | ‘ears—are ovident in Marsh’s and Belknap’s confessions. | f Orville Grant's proiits are not half a million dollars a year in this nefarious business every army officer 1s mistaken ; and if, directly or inairect'y, part of these profits does not goto the brother of Orville Grant, | which brother is President of the United States, then | appearances are entirely misleading. Wo do not be- | Neve that it would really surprise any American should | ho learn toa dead certainty that the Belknaps have been | “dividing,” in one way or another, with Grant himself, | It is certain that the President bas known of this | Marsh-Belknap tariff since 1872. * * * The | quick resignation and acceptance which the two | cooked up between them; the pains the | President took to send the fact of the | tender and the acceptance of the resig- | nation to the House, and the proved fact that Grant | has known for years of this Marsh matter, and knows that his 6wa brother is in the same traflic wholvsale, | argue a giilty collusion between the tate War Secretary and the Executive, The designation of Robeson as Secretary of War ad interim is of a piece with the whole theory of this collusion. Robeson himeelt is at the head of that huge robbery and swindle called the Navy Department, and to put such a man inthe War Department now is to s¢reen not reform, to protect not reotify. A LIFE FOR DRINKS. JAMES SMITH, A LABORER, KNOCKED DOWN AND KILLED BY JOHN M'SHERRY, A BRUTAL LIQUOR SELLER—ARREST OF THE ASSAILANT. A brutat assault, resulting in homicide, occurred last night In the Twenty-first ward. The victim is James Smith, aged thirty years, who lived on East Twenty-first street, and was by occupation driver of a coal cart, His assailant is John McSherry, aged about thirty-five years, the keeper of a beer saloon at No, 409 East Thirty-fourth street. At about six o'clock the attention of passers by was attracted to a scuffle in froct of MeSherry’s saloon. ‘The proprietor was ejecting Smith from the premises, Sinith appeared to oller but little resistance, and when | he had reached the sidewalk apparently intended to go away without further trouble, but Mesherry followed | him, and, without any perceptible provocation, struck him three or four powerlul blows in the face, telling him to the sidewalk, McSherry then re-entered bis saloon, leaving Smith unconscious. A crowd soon collected, and policemen arriving they carried him to the Thirty- | filth street station house. A police surgeon being called be found that Smith’s skull was fractured. A few minutes later he died. McSherry was then arrested, but denied that the blow® knocked him down, saying that the man fell. The prisoner explained that the de- ceased had called for drinks, being somewhat under the iptuence of liquor, and then refused to pay for them. For this reason Mesherry cominitted the assault. Cap- tain Murphy found three persons who had witnessed the assault and who will testify that the blows struck by McSherry knocked Smith down. The witnesses Coroner Croker responded, in answer to a summons by the Captain, for the purpose of taking the ante-mor- tem statement of Smith, but before his arrival the man was den id. Tne police speak of the deceased as a sober, indus- trious man. BOARD OF POLICE. The fall Board of Police Commissioners met yester- day, President Smith in the chair. After the transac- tion of routine business of no importance permission was granted to a delegation of German saloon keepers to address the Board, * William Kramer, of the Atlantic Garden, thereupon stated that be wished to call the attention of the Board to araid made by the Captain of the Sixth precinct on his premises on last Sunday week. This raid, the ker insisted, was instigated by personal spite on the part of the Captain, It his place was violating the Sunday law there were dozens ot other places in the same precinct doing likewise, and yet bis was the only place raided. | President Smith replied that captai ny distinctions tn doing their dut; id assured lelegation that complaints made against any member ot tho dey inent in the usual way would re- ceive due consideraiion, MUNICIPAL NOTES. A delogation from the Irish societies formally waited upon «Mayor Wickham yesterday and invited him to review the parade on St. Patrick's Day. Colonel Parker, Indian officer, formerly of Gen- eral Grant's staff, was among the callers at the Mayor's office yesterday, Itis said that Comptrolier Green has discovered a loophole by which he oun bold back the salaries of the civil justices nntil the lat of January next if he con- sidara it axnadiant to do ea, hould not | Stephen V. White, the said Bowen requested time to false and malicious charges derogatory to the | moral character of the pastor, he failed to | substantiate euch charges by proof whateve; 4 | failed and refusea to auswer any question con 3 THE NIGHT ALMOST OVER. Beecher’s Opinion of the Effect of the Scandal on His (Rarch. NO CHARGES TO BE SMOTHERED. The interest in the Bowen matter among the mem- vers of Plymouth church seems to bave culminated in | the meeting which Mr, Bowen attended on Wednesday | night. The matter was but little discussed last night, and the regular Friday night prayer meeting, which preceded an adjourned business meeting, which was to be followed by the adjourned meeting on Mr. Bowe; | case, was but slightly attended by members, although | the seats were ail filled three-quartors of an hour before the service begam by women, most of them young in years, Mr. Beechor entered promptly at half-past seven, and his brother, Dr. Edward, soon after appeared and took @ seat upon the platform beside him, Brother Hart, being called upon to pray, did so at great length. Brother Halliday preached a prayer after the Scotush Presbyterian style. Mr. Beecher’s talk was on the ebaracteristic spirit and temper of the New Testament, which, be said, is a book written by men who had not a morbid spot in their souls. They were round, clear headed, sweet souled men, that were electod by the Holy Ghost, and their minds were broadened and sweetened and developed. In literature we say “the style is the ima the artist’s soul is seen in his canvas; and so im the New Testament, acide from its essential truth, there is a wholesome personal influence from these men, It is full of sweet- ness and life, as every one who reads it in a proper mood discovers, All the way through it you can’t find aplace where there is a whim. You can’t find any talk about pleasures flering; nothing about falling into despair when in trouble, but “rejoice, rejoice, rejoice,” all the way through it when you are in trouble. I tell you, any of you, that have had anxiety and trouble, or been lost in ihe night, can appreciate the comfort of the beliet that in the darkest mght “The night is far 5] day is at hand.’? When a man can say “Lord | a: ded myself of my trouble, | have just'rolled it off upon You;’’ when a man can say that the night is far | spent for bim, the day 1s coming fast.’’ The preacher | pursued this thought for some time, illustrating it with | inany examples and continued, And to you Christian brethren of this church I may'say YOUR NIGHT 18 ALMOST SPENT, and the day for which you have patiently awaited is coming; not, | trust, to take away the sorrow from | you, bor the trouble, nor the burdens, nor the yok Dut'to give you that inspiration of the Lord’s presenc that shall enable you to bear all burdens, and all sor- rows, and all yokes, At any rate, I think the stream that has overflowed its banks and spread all across the meadows is going back, and will soon be within its bounds again. And although, like after all spring freshets, there is spread all over the meadows the filth and the slime of the {reshet, it is enriching, as every farmer knows, and it will bring good harvest after it. Ana if we ‘are drawing near, as 1 think, to daylight, remember that there 18 nothing so bad “for @ man as to stop thinking of God and the great outer world and think about himself.” Mr. Beocver requested his people, in conclusion, to pray for him at home. Said he, “That's all lwantw, 1 don’t want you to overflow me with your sympathy. I don’t want to carry any sort of idolatry about with me. lam no better than any other sinner and should bear my burdens. What is a man good for who can be good only when fortune smiles? Who, when trouble comes upon him, quirls up like a plucked dandelion— who meits like butter before a firet If this church goes out of this conflict with feelings of leniency toward all, with enlarged charity and kindness toward all, it will give evidence that it bas been God that has been working in us to do His will If this church goes out with bitterness, and hatings, and severity, 11 will show that its troubles and sorrows have been unto death and not unto life.”? ‘The services closed with the singing ot the hymna:— V'm a pilgrim, I’m a stranger; Ican tarry but a night THE BUSINYSS MEETING. After the prayer meeting an adjourned business meeting was held, with Mr. Edgerton im the chair, Brother Davenport offered a brief aud fervent prayer. | The minutes of the previous meeting were then read and approved. They contain the following CHARGES AGAINST MR. BOWEN, The Examining Committee of Plymouth charch pre- | fer the following charges against Henry ©. Bowen, a member of the churen:— 1, We charge Heury C. Bowen with the violation of his covenant with this church, in that while common rumor and report charged him with being in the pos- session of facts inconsistent with the integrity and | purity of the pastor, and with having made statementa damaging to the pastor's character, he refused either to deny or affirm that he knew such facts om that ho had made such statements. SrecivicaTions.—1, That at an interview had between | Henry C. Bowen and Stephen V, White, a member of this church, held im the jatter part of November, 1875, the said White privately and in a Christian and friendly manner called the attention of said Bowen to the fact that common rumor had accredited to him (Bowen) the authorship of statements, imputations and msinuations against the pastor, and the knowledge that the pastor was guilty of gross ttmoralities, and that he (Bowen) was understood neither to affirm nor to deny having made such statements or that he possessed such know|- edge; and in the name of the peace and purity of the church he, the said White, demanded that he, the said Bowen, should make such aflirmation or denial, which the said Bowen failed and refused to do, Witness—Stephen V. White, No, 210 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, 2 That ata private interview had a few days later betwoen the said Henry C, Bowen, Stephen V. White, Moses K. Moody and Kimer H. Garbutt, all members of this church, the said White again presented the same matter of grievance to the said Bowen, in sub- stantially the saine manner with the expressed con: currence of the other brethren present, and the said Bowen did again fail and refuse either to affirm or deny that he had made statements derogatory to the moral character of the pastor or that he knew of any facts injurious to him, Witnesses—Stephen V. White, No. 210 Columbia Heights; Moses K. Moody, No, 150 Willow street; Elmer H. Garbutt, No. 101 St. James place. 8, That the said Bowen having been, of said White, imvited to appear before the Hxamining ittee of the church to listen toa statement of id grievance, and to listen to the advice of the committee, and having, in conformity with such invi- tation, appeared before the committee and listened to sald grievance, and having been admonished by the committee either to admit or deny that he was the author of such statements, imputations or insinua- lions, and to state fully all tacts within his knowledge injuriously affecting the cbaracter of the pastor, failed and refused to heed such admonition. Witnesses—Stephen V. White, No, 210 Columbia Heights; Edward Beecher, No. 182° Macon street; Samuel ls, Halliday, No, 58 Willow street; Henry M. Cleveland, Marcus W. Robinson, Thomas G. Shearman and Benjamin F, Blair. IL We chargo Henry C. Bowen with unchristian, disreputable and dishonorable conduct in the matter of Lis answering to the Examining Committee of this church, before whom he had been summoned at the request of Stephen V. White. Spscirications.—That having appeared before the committee and having listened to the grievance of the request answer said grievance, which having been granted to him be availed bimsolt of his privilege to again appear before the Examining Committee, by sending on tho 4th of February, 1876, ag infamous accusation or in- sinuation agi the pastor, containing neither facts | nor the names of any witnesses, und that said Bowen caused this document to be published in the news- papers on the following day, without the knowledge or consent of the committee, Witnesses—Stephen V. White, Edward Beecher, Samuel B. Halliday, Marcus W. Robinson, Henry M. jeveland, Thomas G. Shearman and Benjamin F, —We charge Henry C. Bowen with equivocation CATION, —That having, at his own request, ob- tained trom the church ten days further time in which to consult witnesses and refer to dates, documents and memoranda, in order that be might answer auy and ‘all questions that might be put to bim by the Examin- | ing Committee, and having been summoned to appear | before that committes pursuant to the express instruc- | tions of the church to state any and every fact within his own knowledge tending to suppor or charges contained in bis communication of Feb. ruary 4, together with the names of all witnesses, and to answer sucn questions as might be put to him, and ving S-omised to appear and answer, he did appear February 23, 18% . any such questions, and pt the room without allowing the committee an opportu- nity to ask a single question, Witnesses—Stepben V. White, Edward Beecher, 8. B, Halliday, Marcus W. Robinson, Henry M. Cleveland, Thomas G. Shearman, Benjamin F. Blair. 1V.—-We charge Henry C. Bowen with slander. Sreciricatioy.—That, having red betore the Examining Committee and having made certain | | the same, or to give the names of any witness: whom sach charges might be verified. Witnesses—S. V. White, Edward Beecher, 8. B. Hal- liday, Marcus W. Robinson, ig 4 . Cleveland, Thomas G. Shearman, Benjamin F. Blair. Y. We charge Henry ©. Bowen with unchristian con- duct and violation of tis covenant with the church. SrecrricaTions.—L That on the evening of Maren 1, | 1876, being summoned to appear before the church and apswer questions pertinent to the accusations or in sinuations made by him against the pastor, he refused to answer any question put to him by order of the church. 2 That on the same evening, having offered to ap- pear before a committee of his own nomination and state the facts relating to the ssid matters, he refused to do 80 unless unreasonable and unchristian conditions were imposed upon such committee. | an investigation, not by rambling, liday, M. W, Robinson, H. M. Cleveiana, Thomas G@ Sheatman, Benjamin F. Biair. ‘In behalf of the Examining Committee of the chureh, THOMAS J. TILNEY, Clerk. The names of thirteen candidates for membersbip—~ seven by letter and six by profession of taith—were read and accepted, TH ADJOURNED MERTING OF WEDNESDAY was then neld, Rossiter W. Raymond opening it with prayor. A portion of the minutes of the Advisory Couneil was then read, in which thanks were returned to all persons who had contributed to the comfort of the members while in session. Among others was the Postmaster for the postal accommodations provided. Mr. Shearman said that considerable misappreben- sion seemed to exist as to the rules to be pursued with reference to charges which may be made against Pivm- outh church or its pastor for transiaission to the com- mission appointed by the Council to consider them, and to remove such misapprebensions he offered the follow ing resolutions ;— Resolved, That for the pu of removing all ble misapprehension, this chureh hereby declares that it has al i vod the plan of ‘ation submitted by dei | the tate Council us feaving this church and its committeos ho option in case of ebarges presented under that plau ex. to forward them to the commit ed by that sibility of before the tion. Resolved, That th xamining Committee are hereby ine structed. upon the receipt by that committee or by this church of any charges whieh, the arty presenting thent Claiins tobe within the plan of the Gounell wo forward the aame ato the Couneil, with the re- quest that t! ction as to them shall seem best, without consultat bis chureb or any officer there: Rossiter W. Raymond desired to augment what Mr. Shearman had said. He had presented the case to the Coune!l with him, and bad emphaticaily insisted upon the Council leaving no discretion in the hands of Plymouth church with respect to the retention or transmission of charges against itself or its pastor. He and Mr, 5) ‘man had said to the Council that they would rather accept the Andover proposition than have any power le‘t in their own hands by the Council in respect to char, Brother Hi jo C. King called attention to an ed- itorial in a prominent religious newspaper whieh stated | that the church might, if it chose, smother any charges that might be put into the hands ot the E ining Committee. He thought the resolution go forth to the world showing the desire of th that there should be po loophole lett for slanderous tongues. KERCHER ON THR PRESS AND BOWEN, Mr. Beecher said:—The most extraordinary thing in the history of any church or amy body is that a great church hike this, that has been striving for two years to secure every means in its power to develop the facts and all light, and has called to its aid at last, after a trial by itself of its pastor, after a six months civil “trial of its pastor, to repeat at last suboe- quently in various ways falling, not by its own fault, after calling an unparalleled council and having madé the case so plain that not one man in the 300 of them tailed to understand that Plymouth church, with its pastor at its head, did desire, above all things, to have sell-constituted inquisitors, but by a well authenticated tribunal of any kind adequate, and that now a largo portion, or, at any rate, no unconsiderabie part of | the ress of the ‘United States goes on. representing ‘lymouth church as either seeking or putting itself 1a & position by which it may hinder or prevent the trach, I think there never has been the parallel of such monstrous ignorance—for I will not say purposed misapprehension. Their eyes are heavy that they can- not see, their@ars are dull, they cannot hear, and their hearts are wicked that they cannot understand that you and I desire that there should be a most thorough, scouring investigation, and We don’t want to have any: thing to do with it in any such relation as that it shall | be susceptible of misinterpretation on that subject, | In relation to the more recent aspect of tho charges, | I desire to cover them in these remarks, and in doing so | Perhaps Iam out ot order, Mr. Moderator. I desire to | say that the sewerage that bas been running through | the ears of this emment gentleman is nothing but oil- scouring and sewerage. False in the beginning, it has not improved by hvingin that gulf tor twenty years, 11 is false to-day—faise im particular, false in general, FOUL, BRTID AND FIENDISH. This outburst was received with applause, which was with difliculty repressed. When his voice could be heard Mr. Beecher said, calmly, “On this subject | hops | to have some further oportunity to speak,” and tool his seat. Mr. Halliday doubted whether any good could ba | done by passing such resolutions, Said he, “Let ua never mind them; let us go ahead,” “Thav’s what wo are trying to do,” said Mr, Beecher, and the audience laughed as Mr, Halliday took his seat, reddening to the eyebrows. Dr, Beecher said, ‘Since the resolution has been ex- cepted to, I wish to speak in favor of it, 1 want the charge replied to. If I sce a ile, I want to pit it on the head.” ho devil will give you plenty of work, then,)) ro- torted Mr. Halliday, Mr, King referred to a communication which ap. peared in a religious newspaper trom Egbert ©. Smith, implying that the church had control of all charges which might be made agarnst it. Mr. Halliday moved to amend the resolution by for- warding a copy of the resolutions to the paper in which the article had been published, Ross W. ymond thought Mr. Smith had gone home from the Counei! too soon to catch its spirit, and thero- | fore might have been laboring under nusapprebeusion when he wroto the article Mr. Shearman said it would seem like an imputation upon Mr. Smith to adopt the amendment, and that was What he had tried to avoid. On motion of Mr. Horatio C. King it was decided to | appoint a committee of three to prepare a report of tue | proceedings of the Council, and to publish the same in | pamphlet torm if approved by the trustees of the arch, and Dr. Edward Beecher, Thomas G. Shear- nan and Horatio C. King were appointed such com- | mittee, | Mr. Beecher roferred to the fret that R. W. Ropes, C. T. Christiansen and KR A. Seccomb had declinea wo | serve on the special committee to examine the charges | against Bowon, and added that, as he was anxious ta have the matter settled, he desired three members elected to fill their places. | ‘This was done, Lina Case, Aaron Healey and T. | Spellman being so elected. Upon Mr. Beecher’s aa, | gestion that some of these gentlemen might not ba | able to serve three alternates were appointed, consist- ing of A. B. Davenport, K. ©, Davidson and Dwight Jotinson. The mecting then adjourned, subject to call trea | the pulpit TILL =ALIVE. The report circulated yesterday, to the effect that Henry Ward Beecher was dead, for a short time at- tracted some serious attention, though no one could | trace tt to its original source. One version of the story | was that the Plymouth pastor had committed suicide, while another represented the cause as apoplexy. In all the places of public resort the report was for some hours the theme of general conversation, and numbers of Mr. Beecher’s friends called at his house to sea whether there might be any truth in it, Reporters by the dozen also called, but in all cases the result was the same. Mr. Beecher was found im his usual health aud spirits, and was somewhat amused at the report HENRY ©. BOWEN SWINDLED. Julius Jacobi, of No. 49 Eighth street, New York, am actor by profession, and who has lately been employed by Henry ©. Bowen as a servant, was arrestod yester- day, charged by one of Mr. Bowen’s sons with emboze ziemeat, Not long since Mr. Bowen having some household furnituro to dispose of, and not wishing to have it sold at private sale, had it removed to the auction rooms of Mr. Hegoman, corner of Pearl and Willoughby streets, Brooklyn. Shortly after ita sate Julius Jacobi went to Mr. Hageman stating thas Mr. Bowen had sent him to collect the pay for the goods. Mr, H. gave him the money, taking a receipt to which Jacobi signed Mr. Bowen's naine. Immediately attor this transaction Julius diss appeared, He was captured by Detective Looney. | MR. ROLLINS’ ARREST IN PARIS, Mr. G. M. Rollins, the senior partner of the firm of Rollins Brothers, brokers, ot Wall street, and Mr, Harmans, the Paris agent of the houge, were both are rested in Paris recently for negotiating some of the forged bonds received {rom Williamson, the accom plice of Gleason, Roberts and Spence Pettis, who ig now in prison awaiting trial for forgery. Williamson, who was known to the firm by the name of Farnham and bad doue some legiumate business with them, ree quested Mr. Rollins to negotiate some Calitornia and Oregon bonds for him while in Europe, Not suspect ing anything wrong Mr. Rollins took the bonds. At soon as Williatnson Was arrested @ cable despatch wat sent to Mr. Rotlins, but too late to prevent bim from offering them for sale, On this becoming known to the Paris police they arrested Mr. Rollins and Mr. Hare mans. As despatones explaining all the circumstances have been sent to Paris it is believed that they will be at once liverated, THE GERMAN | i ) | | | | “INDEPENDENTS.” The central organization of the German indepens dents, Oswald Ottendorfer presiding, held a mocting at the Becthoven Maennerchor Hail last night. Resoiu- tions introduced by the Executive Committee were adopted, declaring that the taxes of the city are such @ burden to tha people and could and woald be less. ened if the salarics of office-holders, fixed in a prosper= ous time, were cut down; that the expenses of the city goveroment should be reduced twenty or twenty-tive per cent, aud calling upon the Legislature to te Measures toward the lessening of salaries and ex. en ‘A resolution introduced by Oswald Ottendorfer was adopted, calling on the Legislature to adopt Senator Booth's bill, forbidding the Mayor to make appoint. ments after the election of his successor. The Com. mittee on Legislation was directed to support the efforts of the saloon keepers and liquor dealers’ organ. izations to obtain a change of the Excise law, MEETING OF STONECUTTERS. A meeting of the Stonecutters’ Association was held Inst night at Masonic Hall, Mr, R R Powers in the chair, Resolutions were adopted reversing the action of the last previous session in reference to Park Com- missioners Donohue and Martin; and the meoting voted that both these gentiemen, as appomtees of Mayos Wickham, and holaing opinion: % That, being summoned by the committee appointed by the church with authority to do so, he refused to ro- spond to tho summons and set at deflance the authority OF ne CRUE tien tans nan A hermony with bi are in Opposition to the fair remuneration of labor Vn) mare olecinees ha m his apt to ote ‘wages of mechanics and laborers, bas shown bia self no friend to labor