The New York Herald Newspaper, March 8, 1876, Page 3

THE ARMY RING. Delay in the Prosecution of Its Fallen Chief. BELKNAP'’S CABAL. Sycophanti¢c and Corrupt Favorites Ruling the War Department. Motive of the Affronts Offered to General Sherman. ; THE REMOVAL OF HIS HEADQUARTERS. Farming Traderships on the Northern Missouri. ORVILLE GRANT'S PARTNERS. The Coming Investigation of Robe- son’s Practices. Wasuixorox, March 7, 1876. With tho discovery and exposure of Belknap’s Mbievery, as first made public in the Heravp, leading jo the investigations which have forced that corrupt Pfficial from his high place in the Cabinet of the Presi- Gent, and to confess to having robbed the officers and poldiers of the army ofa large portion of the pay for which they were required to encounter the risks and | axposures of frontiers’ service, the first really success- pul blow has been struck at what has long been known as the Army Ring. A ring, the’ corrupt members of which have done more to cripple and bring @isgrace upon the service than any combination of ‘Pauses to which that proverbially honorable and honest profession has been subjected. Toa democratic House Delongs the sole credit and honor of having pushed the Investigations which Have unearthed and exposed to public gaze THE ENORMOUS PRAUD AND CORRUPTION of which this man Belknap has been guilty. Let the #ame power continue its exercise, and compel the Passage of such resolutions of inquiry and the adoption of such Jaws as will not only overhaul Belknap’s entire administration of the affairs of the War Depart- ment, bat will call attention to some of the subservient tools who have only been too ready to bow at his feet and follow at the crooking of his finger. Tho Hznaip has been the means of laying before the public certain facts and suggestions in re_ gard to the extravagant waste and exponditure of the public funds in the management of the War Depart- ment, and has pointed out the way by which useful re forms in that department of the government could be effected without impairing the efliciency or diminish- Ing the strength ofthe army. Now thatit has been proven how utterly corrupt and dishonorable Belknap bas proved himself to be, how utterly devoid of per- ponal or official integrity, as demonstrated by his sale of army traderships, it requires no additional argument to prove the former statements set forth in the Heratp to the effect that the War Department was managéd under 4 SYSTEM REEKING WITH ABUSES @nd gross corruption. With the downfall of Belknap the official and powerful head of the corrupt army Ring has been struck down and the surviving mem- bers, all of whom, with perhaps one exception, are Jocated here, can easily be ferretted out and their influ- gnces for further evil forever destroyed. Belknap, backing every essential of greatness, has not attempted to number among his hangers-on men of any particu- Jer Whitity oF merit, save their corrupt subserviency to Bis: plans and wishes. Having no regard for the in- ‘erests, honor or prosperity of the army at large, but Simply desiring to use it and the influence of his post- tion for the benefit and profit of himself and intimates he has formed. A CABAL COMPOSED OF ARMY OFFICERS Bow in this cy, to whose opinions and influence he has lent a most willing ear in deciding all questions affecting the management of the army, and to such an extent has this cabal of intriguers succeeded that no deserving or meritorious officer can hope to succeed in any place or accomplish any object requiring the ap- proval of the Secretary of War tnless the intluence of this cabal can first be secured, So much is this true aad so impressed are army officers serving away from this city of the necessity of toudying to this pernicious element which has crept into the service under Belknap that before making an application or recommenda- tion to the Seerctary of War it has been deemed gene- rally best, if success has been desired, to first address one of the Ring bere and secure his influences in the matt The intimacy which has existed between Belknap and the members of this Ring has been such as was totally beneath the dignity and propriety of a Cabinet officer, No officer of high rank or distinction in the army could be found probably who would de- scend to the entanglements of such an alliance as Belkuap has established between himself and some of his undistinguished subordinates of low rank. It is not known who compose the entire Ring, known here | and throughout the country as the Army Ring, but | the principal members of it are known to | all persons here who take any interest in any matters, or who have ever had occasion | to desire a measure passed or an object gained at the ‘War Office. Babcock, of course, from his character as shown to the public, but not to the jury, and, ex officio, bas been a feliow member with Belknap, sharing on more than equal terms with that bloated corruptionist the patronage und influence of the War Office. Fol- lowing these two well matched leaders, there has been 4 number of Jess prominent persons, each of whom had his part to play and in returo was allowed a voice in fletermining questions pertaining to the army, and at times were permitted to pick up such crumbs as might fall {rom the overluaded tables of Belknap and Babcock. The two most prominent of these hangers-on, and these too who have exercised a most beneticlal in- fluence in army matters, and who may be called THE PRIME FAVORITES ef the now disgraced Secretary are two oflicers of the rank of major, both on duty now and for years past in this city, both belonging to the staif corps of the army, and both have shared to the fullest degree the favor and smiles of their fallen chief They will both be recalled to the memory of the public as the two biicers who were sent in a government vessel a couple pf years ago in charge of presents intended for the Mikado of Japan. One of the officers is a momber of bne of the scientific corps; but the records of the War Office will tail to show that he has engaged upon Any scientific duty other than the science of seeking but and obtarning what may be termed soit places. He bas never displayed any particular ability, except that | of filling the cye and admiration of Belknap. Among the rewards which the Jatter bas showered upon this follower is the distinction without merit of a place on the Centennial Commission, a board appointed to Fepresont the United States by the President. Nobody ‘but the man who could discover how to put thousands | of dollars into bis pocket by robbing soldiers on the frontier, could have discovered any peculiar fitness or qualification in the officer refered to for such marked tavoriusm. The other army officer, also of the rank ot major, belongs to the Quartermaster's Department, and bas been “Hail fellow! well met!’ with the disgraced Becretry tor years, There was nothing these two | Majors could not obtain if it was in the | power of Belknap to bestow, The amount of money Uncle Sam bas been called upon to detray the expenses those junkettiog expeditions of the twin fol- lowers of the thieving Secretary would ‘go tar toward the maintenance of a smuli garrison. If either of these court favorites desired an order issued over the signature of Belknap they had but to ask ana it was doue. Uficers fur their superior in rank experience Aud merit have been inoved from post t@ pillar simply because it pleased these members of the Ring to have itso, Amd there was scarcely au act jh the power of the Secretary which they could not cause to be per- formed if it suited their incluation, The one who | shameless robberies for months and years, has been assigned to @ responsible position im con nection with the Centenaial has been gradually surronding himself with a corps of assistants for duly | at the Centennial until his staff promises to equal in— dimensions that of the General of the army. Ho has | displayed a marked aptitude, however, for selecting | men whose character or surroundings are wonderfully in keeping with his own, First, there is Major Lewis | Merrill, whose appointment to this duty was almost the last act of the thieving Secretary, and when Merrill is recalled as the officer whose NOTORIOUS TRANSACTIONS IX SOUTH CAROLINA, by which, it 1s alleged, he put his hand into the South Carolina treasury and car- ried off $20,000 of the State money for doing that for which the general government paid bim and whose condact Senator Bayard has often exposed in the Senate, it will be seem that birds of a teather still flock together. How appropriate it was that Belknap, a his last offelal act, should appoint this man to be present at tie Centennial in order that we might hold bim upto the admiring gaze of foreigners and say owing to the small size of our army this is the | only officer we had who ever charged a bankrupt stato $20,000 ‘or making war upon its old men and defence. Jess women and children, Anotner majer added to tho stall of the ex-Secretary’s favorite is a nephew of Sena- | tor Morton, who was appointed upon the principle that | “if you seratch my back Ill scratch yours.” The readers of the Hxxaup will hesitate to credit the state. | ment perhaps, but It is undoubtedly and undemably true that under the corrupt reign ot Belknap the two staf majors claimed and exercised a more potent influ- ence with the ex-Seeretary and at all tines were more | powerlul than any general officer in the army, save perhaps, General Sheridan, whose indluences, for reasons herealter to be given, was very great. The influence of Hancock and McDowell com- bined, although both are Major Geucrals, was not equal to that of either of these two junior officers Uther staff corps bad their representatives in the | army and navy, but Belknap, Babcock and the twin Majors, with occasional suggestions from Genera) Horace Porter and General Rutas Ingalls, were THE MOVING SPIRITS of the capital. The head of the Adjutant General’s office, an untiquated and partially fossilized remnant of the reguiar urmy as it existed before the war, und whose ability in runing a back strect Sunday schoo! is far more marked than his aptitude lor military affairs as they exist atthe present day, has becn a most use- ful implement im the bands of tho ex-Secretary in promoting, without murmur or protest, the wishes of Belknap. The scurvy manner in which Belknap | heaped indignities upon the General of the Army are frosh in the public mind. Little by little Belknap as- sumed to himself the decision of all questions and the exercise of all authority which by law aud the demands of the service belonged to Sherman, until the latter was actually forced—although other causes wero given—to remove his residence and headquarters to St. Louis, where as little consideration as possible was extended to him by Belknap. In order to make Sher- man feel his humiliation the more Belknap determined to throw everything into Sheridan’s bands which was possible, ignoring on every occasion the General of the Army. In this way began and was cultivated TUE IMMENSE INVLUENCK OP SHERIDAN with Belknap, a condition of affairs which did aot seem to displease Grant. No one has ever believed or hinted even that Sheridan’s imfluence with Belknap has been used or desired tor any but military objects. As the House has seen fit to act upon former sugges- tions of the Heratp in regard tothe military sugges- tions it contained, let the majority who now have the prestige of victory backed by the strength of numbers to sustain them, consider the following as a nieang of completing the breaking up of the Army Ring lately headed by Belknap, and with @ view of restoring the coutrol of army matters and the administration of mill- | tury affairs here to the senior officers of the service instead of to a few sycophants of corrupt power. KESYORE THE AUTHORITY O¥ GENERAL SHERMAN, As the first step toward the accomplishment of this desired end pass a law requiring the headquarters of the General of the Army to be at once transferred from St. Louis to this city, where they properly belong and from which they should never have been per- mitted to go, Then authorize General Sherman to re- issue the order he issued years ago when be iirst as- sumed the duties of General of the Army, and by which the Adjutant General ot the “Ah@*Quarter- master General of the Army aaid reads of staff departments were announced as hs staff officers and re- quired to receive orders directly from him, That order was not liked by the Secretary of War, es it would in- terfere with many of his pet schemes. He, therefore, obtained a revocation of the order from the Presiden thereby leaving General Sherman shorn of all power and of little more service to the army than a fifth wheel to a wagon, Then follow this up with a law or regulation requiringall officers now in Washington, except chiefs of departments, such as the Adjutant General, Quartermaster General, &c., to be sent to other stations, while other and uncontaminated officers’ from the latter be ordered to duty in the va- | rious departments here. This would give a much needed change, a8 there are officers serving here who, aside from any connection or inflaence with the Army Ring, have never served at stations at which they were likely to obtain a knowledge of the real wants of the service. New York City and State has hundreds of officers more familiar with the actaal demands of military service than many of the prominent as we!l as subordinate officers in some of the staf bureaus here. With Sherman installed bere, and granted the power and influence that belongs to his high position, and with a genuine sifting out of the barnacles and hangers on who have detracted so much from the service of late years, we would soon have no more of uny rings, except ag @ disagreeable and dishonorable thing of the past. THE PRESIDENT AND HIS FRIENDS affect surprise at the revelations concerning the sale of post traderships by Secretary Belknap in the West They will have occasion for much groater surprise in a few days, when Orviile Grant's operations shall have been laid bare, The HexaLp made detailod and specific charges against brother Orville and Secretary Belknap jast summer, Editorials were written at the time, calling the President's attention to the facts presented, and an investigation was demanded as soon as Congress should assemble, General Grant keeps a file of the Hexaco in the White House, and there is good author- ity for saying that he reads it, But notwithstanding the timely warnings given the shameful trafficking im goverument patronage Was continued. The post traders of the Upper Missouri received no notice that further tribute would not be taken from them, The only show of repentance made was this :—Orville Grant weut to the correspondents in Washington and ex- hibited certain papers, purporting that he had los, money in the business of farming out the traderships, and that he was obliged to retire rom business, Now, the truth is Orville Grant put n0 money in THe COPARTSKRSMIP which he had formed with bis administration friends. They invested and ho furnished the Influence, They put in the cagh and he furnished the intimidation, In One instance where the Indian woman refused to close her syore, General Custer was called on tor troops to | shut up ber establishment by force. He refused to break the law, even when commanded by the Wushing- ton Ring, and he promptly sent @ report of the outrage and u protest to General Terry, the department com. mander, at St Paul, and Generai Terry not only sus- tained him, bat he se @ scathing rebuke to the agent and Orville Grant's trader, At every one of those places controlled by Or- ville Grant’s agents the Indians were starved, swindled, and maliciously slandered, Among the establishments run by the Grant Ring were Standing Rock, Fort Ber- thold aod Fort Stevenson, Beiknap’s fellow towns- men, the Leighton Brothers, of Ottumwa, Lowa, con- trolied the trading posts at Fort Lincoln, Fort Buford, Fort Peck, Fort Belkoap and other posts along the Missouri River, Between these pots steamboats having government contracts transferred their cargoes, sold indian supplies, and assisted the thieves and friends of Grant aod Belknap in carrying on their Orville Graut travelled through the country at goverument expense, remorselessly levying am exorbitant tax on every post within bis control, The most stealing was doue at Fort Peck, called Tax ‘‘nomBERS’ ROOST,” and there the pri were the most exorbitant, Sec- 'y Belknap mado @ grand tour down the Missouri River last full, and among citizens and grmy officers it Was understood that he was looking after his mercantile biackmailling operations. There is some reason for be- Neving that Orville aad Belknap have worked togevher in prostituting the patronage of the tradership estav- lishments of the ary, When Belknap reached Bis. marek, the terminus of the Northern Pacific Railroad, the conductor had to hold the train that he might conclude his extended interview with Raymond, a leading trader aud member of the be | Belknap Ring, Tho Secretary of War of the United States had time to viett a disreputable trafficker in Indian sup- | Plies, but be had no time to investigate the stealing of | 4,000 bushels of Indian grain which General Custer | refused to receive from the Ring contractors, General | Terry was there, and he said that Custer did right, but the august and high-toned Belknap disdained to look after such a trifling thing as a $10,000 steal. His legal friends in Dakota were highly incensed because the Hema. gave a few facts about it, and when the Grand Jury met they had the correspondent indicted. It is needless to say that one of the Grand Jury man- agers was one of the Raymond & Grant partners, And now the President is surprised at Belknap’s full, CONGRESSMEN IN A POLICE COURT, This morning Representatives Clymer, Biackburn and Robbins, of North Carolina, members of the Com- mittee on Expenditures in the War Department, ap- peared before the Criminal Court and stuted that they, had been subpanaed to appear before the Grand Jury. They denied the authority of the Court to interrogate them ag tofthe testuumony of any witness before a com- mittee of Congress, Besides, they are constantly eu- gaged in their duties as members of the committee, which would muke it inconvenient for them to be “present, They did not wish to plead ther privileges, but to enter their protest not only here but on the records of Congress for the country. Dis- trict Attorney Wells said be thought he could remove the didiculty presented. In the first place, he sald, there was no motive or desire to ask any member of the committee anything us to any matter testitied to by any witueds before the committee; and in the sec- oud place, while appreciating the duties and engage ments of the distinguished gentlemen he thought the Grand Jury would tx such time as would subject the gentlemen to the least inconvenieuce. To this they suid that it they were required to go befure the Grand Jury aud testify in relationto any matter it would be impossible tor them, a8 members of the commitiee, to give due attention to the exannuation of the matters with which they were especially intrusted. Judge McArthur remarked that it would rot be com- petent for them to testify as to what a witness said before the committee, because that would be only hearsay evidence. He would consider the subject and confer with the District Attorney, so that when these gentlemen were wanted they could be so iniormed. The gentlemen then lett the court. The District Attorney sent one witness before the Grand Jury to-day, who were cousidering charges against Mr, Belknap, and will send others. THE GRAND JURY, ‘The Grand Jury to-day examined Colonel Adams, the | Clerk of the House of Representatives, in the Belknap case, and to-morrow William YTomlimson, Mrs. Bel- knap’s brother, will appear belore them as a witness, ‘Yhe opinion prevails among Jawyers who have ex- amined the case that since the flight of Marsh there is no such testimony in the possession of the House of Representatives as would convict Belkuap either on mpeachment or in the criminal court, Marsh having jeft with the committee no paper, note or other evi- dence showing Belknop’s transactions with Marsh, forts are being made, however, to procure additional testimony to support the impeachment articles, A DENIAL BY SECRETARY CHANDLER. Secretary Chandler says the published story of an interview between bim and General Belknap last Thursday morning, and of what is represented to have been a full confession of General Belknap and his wile, made to him on that occasion, is ‘all made up.” No such conversation and no such confession occurred then or subsequently, THE SKCRETARYSUIP OF WAR. Senator Morrill, of Maine, was last Saturday ten- dered by President Grant the Secretaryship of War, but has not yet accepted the offer. His nomination was not sent tothe Senate yesterday, though it was prepared and neld in readiness tor trausmission in caso he shoula conclude to relinquish his seat in the Senate and accept a position in the Cabinet ROBESON’S NEMESIS. THE PHILADELPHIA NAVY YARD—THE NAVAL INVESTIGATING COMMIITEZ = ANXIOUSLY AWAITED. Puravenrita, March 7, 1876. The Committee of the House o1 lepresemtatives oa the Expenditures in the Navy Department have been anxiously expected here to-day, Washington despatches having announced their imtended departure on a little tour of investigation into the inside history of the old navy yard im this city. The cummittee consists of Messrs. Beebe, of New York, Chairman; | Mills, of Texas; Sheakley, of Penusyivania; Burleigh, of Mame; and Baker, of New York. The lobby of the Continental was thronged with a crowd, among whom were muay federal officeholders and pany, says the government lost over $200,000 in the letting of the contracts for headstones for soldiers’ graves. He asserts that the bid of the Knoxville com any for the stones was over $60,000 less than that of | the man who got ther contract, and that alter the award was made there were modifications of the con- tract, which reduced tho cost of the stones to the con- tractor considerably over $100,000. THE FORT LEAVENWORTH SUTLER- SHIP. x Sr. Louis, Mareh 7, 1876. It ts said the post trader at Fort Leavenworth could make some important disclosures regarding the sutler- ship there if he was required to speak. FRAUDS IN THE INDIAN TERRITORY. Sr. Lovis, March 1, 1876. General Pope is now en roufe from Fort Leaven- worth to Washington to testify ay to frauds alleged to have been perpetrated by Major Ingalls, late agent of the Five Nations, Indian Territory. AMUSEMENTS. ACADEMY OF MUPIC. Last night, the second of the last week of the Eng- lish opera season, Auber’s sparkling opera, ‘Fra Dia- volo,” was given at the Academy, with Mr, William Castle, The occasion was the benefit of Mr Heary Peakes, now so popular with lovers of English opera The chorus, as usual, was excellent, and the several solos and duets distributed through the opera eheited round of applause. Mrs, Jennie Van Zandt (Zeriina) was in good voice, and Mrs, Seguin, as Lady Allcash, was very happy. Beppo (Mr. H. Peukes), and Tiacomo (Jr. J. Peakes) provoked mach merriment by thew ‘busi- ness.” ‘To-night Gounod’s grand opera, “Faust,” with Miss Kellogy as Murguerite, will be given. NEW YORK CHORAL SsOCLETY. Mr. P. 8. Gilmore, the leader of the New York Choral Society, covered hunself with glory, so to speak, at Steimway Hall last night, on the occasion of | the pertormauce ot Hayda’s immortal “ Creation,” for it 1s no exaggeration to say thut a more complete in- terprotation of the great master’s work has never been given in the city. rate, harmonious and, it might be added, faultless, and the soloists merit nothing but praise. Beyond question Mr, Gilmore demonstrated additional musical skill and acumen as a conductor of a large body of artists, for while the chorus was unexceptionable the orchestra an- swered in splendid unison, Should Mr, Gilmore suc- ceed, as no doubt he will, in bringing about a few more such delignttul illustrations of the Works of the great composers, hy willussuredly win the grateful thanks of this community, Thelarge and appreciative asgsem- blage that listened to the glorious music last evening gave repeated evidence of the heartielt interest tho! took in the manner i Which the oratorio was render Mrs. Emily Butman’s rendering of the part of Gabi @ part, vy the way, which presents ditlicalties of he highest cless, and requires for its proper representa- | tion a vocalist of great power und tinish—proved that the lady possesses all the requisites necessary to an in- telligent interpretation of the part As might be expected, Mr. George Simpson, an artist whose merits have long since been reeog- nized and who appears too seldom in public, im such excellent representations as that given lust evening, sung the part of Uriel with bis wonted sweet: ness aod artistic ability, His ring of the recita- tive “And God Created Man,’’ as well us of the aria “In Native Worth,” was marked by all that smoothness and emphauc delivery that have already established him as. one of the best oratorio singers here, His conception of the park is intelhgent and bis execution of it is almost lesa, Mr. Sohst’s fino voice was again heard to advantage as Raphacl, aud his efforts were rewarded in every instance with loud ap- jause. Altogether the wwaugural performance under r. Gilmore's guidance was successiul, and worthy the warmest commendation, THE TWENTY-THIRD STREET OPERA HOUSE. The California Minstrels are drawing large audiences to the home of minstrelsy which Dan Bryant cstub- lished, Mr. Frank Cushman’s plantation characters and songs have been deservedly successtul this weel and Miss Jennie Morgan, Miss Raymond, Doyle, Billy Gray, Frank Moran and others give admur- able special per.ormatices. TONY PASTOR'S THEATRE, A bew programme is presented at this popular place of amusement this week. Mlle. Fontainbleau made her first appearance, Mr, Charles Diamond gave new scenes at the South, there is anew ballet, and Gus Williams offers a fresh series of his burlesque German songs beside, sustaining the principal character in the humorous sketch, “A Much Abused Dutchman,” MUSICAL 4ND DRAMATIC NOTES, “The Wonder” is seca to be predacca at Wallack's. Miss Amelia Waugh did not play the part of Rachel in “Ben Israel” as the play bill stated, bat is now ill with pneumonia at the American House, in Troy. Miss Annie Quinn studicd the character in twenty-four | hours, and is entitled to much praise for a remarkable feat of memory and quickness in catching the salient points of the piece. THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, local politicians, who from time to time approached the clork's desk and asked, ina feverish manner, whether the committwe had arrived yet. The answer was always # the negative, but the crowd held out all day, only to remain unsatisiied. There was a ru- mor in the afternoon whispered about among the favored few -that the committee had ar- | rived, and wero then secretly at work at League | Island, at the new navy yard down the river. League Island is a good ten miles from the centre of the city, anda drive down and back ina carriage 18 somewhat tiresome, but a HexaLp reporter wade the trip, meeting on the way several of those who had been the most anxious inquirers at the hotel, Nothing had been beard of the counmittee at the island, and Commodore Preble said that he did not expect them beforo the 10th inst, THE TESTIMONY. Among the testimony to be presented to the com- mittee during its session in this eity 1 #irat—That in the removal of the old navy yard from this point to League island most of the contracts had bee: rded to Bostonian, Nathaniel McKay, regardiess of the fact that tn one case, while his bid was } $85,000, those of Wilham simpson aud Charles Martin, Old Philadelphians, were eaca $28,000 for the same work, and that i other cases ne either bought or at- tempted to buy off competitors, and .naced he secured the contract lor all the work excepting the removal of the navy yard walls. ‘Second—That among other transactions scow toads | of vasuable material, including copper, &c., were taken ostensibly to the League Isiand Navy Yard, but, after Ahoy Were carried down the river a suort distance the cargoes were taken on shore near Greenwich or the vil | wharves, and are Dow in the storehouse of the Ware- housing Company at Queen street wharf, or in the stop of a shipsmith pear Peon and Lombard streets, Among | | these matoriais, it 18 charged, there was a copper boiler valued ut $13,000, but this Was subsequently re- | turned, the size of the piece threatening expusure, Third—That a rait of valuable timber was also started to be moved and Was aiso brought back for the same reason und placed in or close to the yard of A. 3 Simpson & Brothers, at Christian street whart; but Commander Prebie, of the yard, having beeu intormed of the fact by Mr. Suppson, be detaiieu a body of men to take charge of it anu remove it to Leage Island, Pourth—-Ynat while only thirty tous of iron were | porchased wagons were employed for weeks in haul- ing material to different places, and that barges bound to League Iviand were stopped at the Point House and uvlvaded of iron and other material, which were | bauted by a back road up into the city, A DEFIANCE. ‘The following telegram, sent bence to-day, explains | Atself:— Puitavatruia, March 4, Hon, W. ©, Wuitraoryg, Chairman House Nava! Com- mittee, Washington, D. C.:— False ‘and scurrilous articles have appeared in the papers of New York aud Philadelph: img th ity Of my business relations with the Navy De ‘tment, I desire your committee to make the iullost investigation iwto all my business tranea tions with avy dt tment, and 1 tender you ail | my books and pay roils, containing the naimes ot ail my empioyés, for this purpose, W. McKAY, CAPTAIN ROBINSON SUMMONED. HIS LETTER TO RETARY BELKNAP EX- PLAINED, Batrimore, March 7, 1876, Captain George T. Robinson received a communica- tion yesterday trom H. B. Banning, chairman of tho | House Committee on Military Aflairs, requesting bim to appear before that commitice to make a completo Statewent of inatters within his knowledge bearing upou the pending investigation, Cuptam Robinsun states that ho is very anxious to | appear before the committes and will do so immedi. ely should his counsel consent, which, he says, ws most provable, a8 it will give hum an opportunity wo | show the charges mad jainst him to ve false He acknowledges ti "7 ten the letter to Secretary Belknap charging J. 3. Evans & Co. with maticiousiy slandoriug the Secretary by saying A 1 then and olfering Nis services to proseeate them, tain Kobinson says bis design iu writing this lecter Beikwap to rotuin bin in the army, his triai pending at the time, CHEATING THE MEMORY OF THE DEAD. Sr, Lovis, March 7, 1876 William Patrick, an old and honored citizen of St, Louis, President of the Kuoxvillo, Tenn., Marble Com. | Zillan Delamater, Mrs. A regular meeting of the Historical Society was held atthe hall corner of Eleventh street and Second ave- nue last evening. Mr, Frederick De Peyster occupied the chair. A donation of $10,000 was announced by the secretary as having been receiyed, since the last meeting, from Mr, Thomas Barron, together with a large nuumber of valuable articles from different s0- cicvies and individuals, and several rare medals contri- buted by Thomas J. Allison. The secretary read a | Jengthy biographical sketch of Mr. Barron, a wealthy member of ociety, Who died about six months ago. Resolutions of respect to the gentieman’s mem- ory were passed, and the Executive Committee was directed to procure a portrait of bir. After the trausaction of more routine business a communication was read from Mr, George Bancroft in relation to @ paper found among Mr, Mad son's historical documents and beariog upon thi Ject of the powers of Congress in dictating to the diffe ent States as to raising troops and munitions in case of war, This paper, Mr. Bancroft thinks, was written by Washington, Te communication goes into a de- tailed argument as to the probable authorship of the document in question. No copy of the paper was found in the manuscripis lett by Washington, but it 1s sup- posed that a Mr. Jones obtained copies of it irom those to whom 1t was addressed, SOROSIS. The annual election of the Sorosis took place on Monday and resulted in the re-election of Mra. J. C. Croly as President. The other officers chosen are:— Vice Presidents, Mra, 8, R. Filley, Miss Maria Mitchell, Mrs, Hester M. Pendieton, Mrs, Soule; Recording Sec- retary, Mra. M. A. Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. H. M. Poole; ath O, Delkwater; Auditor, Mrs. Hale; Custodians, Miss A. E. Hale, Miss , Mra, Alico Starr and Miss Griggs. ecutive Committee—Mrs, Eliza Merudin, Mrs. L. M. Bronson, Mrs, Marvin, Mra, Farnsworth and Mrs. of committees—Literature, Mrs. Adeluide gs; Art, Mrs. KR. A, Morse; Education, Mrs. Randall Diehl; Setence, Mrs, Sara E. Fuller; Vhilai thropy, Mrs. Sara A. King; Journalism, Mrs. ‘Laura | Lyman: Drama, Mrs. Fanuy Foster; Music, Mrs. Cha jotte V. H. Winterburn; House and Mome, Mrs. J, De Lovell Hail, Business woman, Mrs, Van Horn. The reports of secretaries and treasurer showed the past year to bave been one of great prosperity, the club Paviug no debts and being up: Ot $1,200 abead, ‘The eighth aaniversary din willbe given at Del- monico’s on the third Monday in March, when tbe in- stallation of officers will take place, and speeches, poems aad sentiments be in order, BOARD OF HEALTH. The Board of Health met yesterday, but transacted only the ordinary routine business of the department, Owing to the absence of Commissioner Vanderpoe! no | action was taken on the resolution of the Board of Police requesting the Health officials to vacate the apartments they occupy in the Central Office, Messrs, Chandler and Janeway, who were appointed a commit- tee to confer with tue Police Commissioners on the subject, reported progress, deferring their dnal report until the next fewer Dr, Nagle, Depaty Registrar of Vital Statistics, pre- sented his usual report, from which it appears that during the week evding March 4 there were 40 deaths from smallpox, being 14 less than the previous week, and 107 from diphtheria, against 135 the previous week. A BUST OF GOETHE. ‘The presentation of Professor Fisher's bust of Goethe to the Metropolitan Museum of Art wilt take place this evening atthe Filth Avenue Hotel, Mr. John Taylor Jounson, President of the Metropolitan Museam of Art, will reevive the git on bebail of that body, and ad- dresses will be delivered by William Callen Bryant, Rev Wuliam R. Alger and Rev. 3, jood. After the presentation and the addresses a be served. TROPHY FROM ‘THE QUEEN'S OWN.” Colone! John Warren, who participated in the Fei jan raid on Canada, delivered a lecture last evening in St Jobn’s Hall, Jersey City, on ‘Barly Irish His- lation will Fenmns, Expediuon” and the tag presented w the Sixty-omth regiment by the men ot Tipperary, The lecture was very interesting aud was listened to by an intelligent mk ‘The chorus was prompt, accu- | NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 1876.-TRIPLE SHEET. WASHINGTON. Branch of the Belknap Scandal Not Investigated, | SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST THE COMMITTEE, i th A The Implieating of a Prominent Democratic Statesman Avoided. —_—— THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MARSH'S FLIGHT. Judge Taft, of Ohio, Accepts the Vacant Secretaryship. | Hom, George H. Pendleton, THE NAVY DEPARTMENT? INVESTIGATION FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT, Wasmxorox, March 7, 1876, THE SCANDAL OF THE PENDLETON RAILROAD CLAIMS—AN UGLY CHARGE AGAINST THE DEMOCRATIC INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE— WHAT MRS. BELKNAP RECEIVED AND WHO SHE RECEIVED IT FROM. Report here brings an ugly charge against the demo- cratic members of the committee which developed Mr. Belknap's crime, one which both sides of the House will, without doubt, investigate at once, It is asserted that the following is susceptible of proof before a com- mittee of the House :— ‘That when Mr. and Mrs, Marsh reached Washington last week, and before the former appeared betore the committee there was a conterence at the Arlington be- tween Mrs, Belknap and Mrs. Marsh, several other Persons being present, all being acquaintances and most of them knowing the facts which Mr, Clymer’s circles im regard to the so-called Pendleton ratiroad claims relating to the Kentucky Central Railroad; that Mra, Belknap said that the stories were gross ex- aggorations; that while it*bad been believed among some of her friends thut she received $70,000 from that claim, she had, in fact, obtaimed only about haif that amount; that the friends of Mrs. Marsh assort that if she is ever brought before that committee she will undoubtedly testify to the main iucts given above. The republican members of the committee knew nothing of this branch of the subject until last Satur- day night, and on Monday morning Mr. Danford caused jubpwna to be issued for Mra, Marsh. But she hav- ing, it is supposed, bad an intimation of what was to come, left for Canada, Itis further asserted, to bo susceptible of proof be- Mr. Clyquer and Mr, and Mrs, Marsh made some parts of the tour of Europe togetuer, and that on this journey quainted with the main facts thus far developed and others of a similar character; that when it became known here to some who were of the party that Mr. Clymer had determined to bring Mr, Belknap down, he was reminded in pointed terms that if he was de.er- mined to do this, be could not decline to bring Pendle- ton down Woo; that Mr. Clymer asserted that he had aot. sufficient data to reach Mr, Pendleton; that he was pressed with the rejoinder that Mrs. Marsh would testify to it; that the records of the departments would throw some light on the case; that, however, he refuzed to go Into the matter, and that Mr. and. Mrs, Marsh were allowed to go off without an attempt being made to asvertain whether they could throw any light upon the Pendleton case. ‘These are very grave charges, but itis very positively asserted here that they are susceptivle of proof, if the House will summon the witnesses. It is a singular fac, that there has been, for some days past, a noticoable disinclination among some democrats to push investi- gations. It is not meant to charge that any considerable number of democrats discourage investigations, but it is certain that some do. The record of Pendleton’s settlement of the Ken- tacky Central Railroad claim, according to official pa- pore, is this in brief:—Tho road, after having been paid the usual military rates for service during the war, filed @ claim for the difference between these rates and ninety per cent of the usual rates to private persons. The amount of the claim so asserted was $148,553, Secretary Stanton reforred it to Quartermaster General Meigs, who twice reported strongly againgt it, and Mr, Stanton refused to pay !t. In tne fall of 1870, Mr. Pendleton wrote Mr. Belknap asking anothor consideration of the case. It was again referred to General Meigs, who was recalled and restated the former action, and twice again reported adversely. It was then referred to General McKee Dunn, Assistant Judge Advocate Goneral, who decided that Belknap had the right to reopen the case; that the claim was a good one, and that the Third Auditor should be asked to settic it, Mr. Belknap approved this in writing, and @ requisition warrant was issued to Pendleton, and payment was rushed through the War and Treasury departments in one day, the whole faco of the claim being paid to Pendleton June 12, 1871, Of course this matter will be brought at once before the House, but Mre. Marsh's escape to Canada may em- barrass the thorough investigation which will bo re- quired, THE DEBATE IN THE HOUSE ON THE BEL- KNAP INDICTMENT—THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MARSH'S DISAPPEARANCE, The debate in the House to-day was the most bril- Nant that bas been beard in some years on that floor. It was a real dobate, with no prepared speeches or rosy intertudes, but with @ running fire of discussion, in which the clearest beads and sharpest wits in the democrats, and Blaine and Kasson, of the re- publicans, were the principal speakers, ood the encounter was ior once eminently worth listening to and tired noone, The question around which the de- bate centred was an appeal to the House by the com. mittee which brought to ght Mr. Belknap’s crime to relieve #t from asummons to appear before the Grand Jury, but the discussion strayed moro or less from this central point and for some time hung over the ques- tion who was guilty of having caused the disappearance of Mr. and Mrs, Marsh, who, it seems, are now wanted both to strengthen the case of the House in its impeach. ment of Mr, Belknap and to be examined before the Grand Jury, Tho democrats sought to fix the esponsibility upon the President and the Cabinet, stating that they had ordered the pprebension and trial of Marsh, as well as Tomlinson and Belknap, 1 is, however, a fuct that nothing of tho kind was ordered in Friday's Cabinet meeting. A despatch asserting that such an order was agreed to by the Cabinet is undoubtedly false, and a good deal of curiosity was expressed this afternoon about its origin when it was denied in the House that it was true, It may become necessary to inquire on what authority and by whom this statement was sent tothe press, It is probable that the discussion will be Fenowed to-morrow, and there 1s a disposition to-night to wonder why the commitioe have so Jong delayed to committee was charged to mquire into; that | at that interview Mrs. Marsh, im talking of various transactions of which she knew, alluded to statements in circulation in ecrtain fore tho House, that Mrs, Bowers, now Mrs, Belknap; | some if not most of the party became gradually ac- | House took part. Lamar, Blackburn and Cox, of the | present tneir articles of impeachment against Mr, Belknap. : | Mr. Bass, republican, one of the committee which | discovered the Belknup affair, says positively thatafter Marsh had concluded bis deposition, and Judge Blan, the attorney for Belknap, bad questioned him, Mr. Cly- mer remarked to him:— | “That will do, Mr. Marsh; we are done with you; * | you are discharged.” | Mr. Bass then suggested that the safest plan would | be not to discharge the witness until an opportunity |! or cross-examiuativa was given. Mr, Bass added to | the gentleman to whom he was relating the above that | his experience as prosecuting attorney, and also on,in- | vestigating committees here, bad shown him that it | wa: neither wise nor prudent to dis | charge a witness until the —_cross-exam- juation was through with and the case made up. Alter Mr. Clymer, who was chairman of the \ committee, bad distnissed the witness, Mr. Bass says be did not think it proper to insist upon his opposition, | If be had been in the House to-day he would bave made the above statement in his place. He has beea ill, and | Was compelled to go home. He was ready to go before the Grand Jury to-day to testity to what he kuew. FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT, | Wasutycrox, March 7, 1876. THE INVESTIGATION OF THE NAVY DEPART+ MENT—ARREST OF A WITNESS WHO REFUSES TO SPEAK—HIS MOUTH LIKELY TO OPEN— MORE HIGH OFFICIALS IN DANGER. The Committee on Naval Affuirs to-day, through ite chairman, Mr. Whitthorne, of Teun , presented to | the House an abstract of the testimony of a witness | named A: F. Wolf, accompanied by a resolution, which was adopted, asking that Wolf bo arrested by the Sergeant-at-Arms, under the order of tho House of Kepresentatives: and held for refusing to answer questions put to bim by ttre com- | mattee during his examination, These were as to the | payment of certain sums of money by him to officials of the Navy Department in the name of A. 8. P. Brown and his son, who have been doing a large buai- ness with the Navy Department for years past in the way of contracts, For a long time it has been quite astonishing te people in Washington how the Browns could maintain almost @ monopoly in getting large coal and other contract. = But’ the testimony made public by Mr. Whitthorne’s committee explains that it was done by the employment of sums of money paid to officials and others by Woolfe on the | part of the Browns, in whose employ he was as a kind of confidential man, The manipulation of one of the | paymasters and over oificials in the Navy Department | has Jong been attributed to the Browns in doing busi- | ness there and large profits have been made by them, leaving the family in a position to live extravagantly | and entertain handsomely. Their assets have been kept in the Safe Deposit Company’s vaults so as te | avoid suspicion and process of law, as was provea by the developments in the House to-day, Woolle was arrested by Sergeant-at-Arms Thompson, of the House, this evening, and is now in custody. The recalcitrant witness, who would not answer beretofort to the questions of the committee, says to-night that if he 1 forced to tell all he knows he will ruin two high | officials, and speculation is rife with reports to-night as to who the two are. Mr, Wills, of the committee, says that there will be a bombshell before the end of the week equal to the Belknap explosion. THE NOMINATION OF JUDGE TAFT TO BE SECRE+ TARY OF WAR. The nomination of Judge Taft to be Secretary of War, | vice Belknap resigned, was received quite late in the | afternoon by the Senate, but was not acted upon in the | brief Executive session of that body. Judge Taft, it | will be remembered, was spoken of as the President's | next choice for Secretary of the Interior last fall, had | not the place been accepted by Zach Chandler. | Judge Taft telegraphed the President this morning accepting his nomination for Secretary of War. | THE RECALL OF SCHENCK DEMANDED BY THRE BRITISH GOVERNMENT—TRE INVESTIGATION INTO THE EMMA MINE BUSINESS TO BE DROPPED. There has been mach conjecture why President Grant did not stand by Minister Schenck with bis usaay fidelity. The reason has just been discovered, and there is good authority for saying that about the time Schenck resigned the British government notified the President and Secretary Fish that his recall was de- | sired, and that he would no longer be recognized at the | Court of St. James. This forced Mr. Schenck to resign and our government to accept. The Hoase Committee on Foreign Affairs will meet in the morning to determine whether it will be advisable to proceed with the Schenck investigation, Some of | the committee are opposed to wasting farther time on .| the ex-Minister. They say that be is no longer am officer of the government, ana that, having become @ private citizen, he is of too little importance ior Con- | greswional investigation, Agcording to present ap. | pearances the other members will be persuaded to drop | the distinguished poker player. FRED GRANT ON THY BELKNAP DISCLOSURES—~ WHAT “‘¥ATHER” HOPED. Fred Grant, before his departure for the Biack Hills, was interviewed about the Belknap disclosures. He said:—“Father hoped they would sift and sift every- boay about him, and then they would find out just now things stood.” “THE MAN WHO CARRIED OHIO.” Stewart L, Woodford, ‘the man who carried Ohio,” | was on the floor of the House during the exciting debate | on the impeachment quandary, and was warmly con- | gratulated by the republican members, GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCHES, f Wasurxatox, March 7, 1876, PROFESSOR SILLIMAN TO EXPLAIN HIS CONNEC. TION WITH THE EMMA MINE. Professor Silliman will appear before the Committee on Foreign Affairs on Thursday to give the particulars of his scientific connection with the Emma Mine and to answer Lyon's unfavorable statements concerning him, DENIAL FROM DISTRICT ATTORNEY DYER AND GENERAL HENDERSON, The Attorney General to-day received a telegram from District Attorney Dyer, who, speaking for General Honderson and himself, says that all the | published statements to the effect that either of them | authorized, encouraged or in any way inspired the: | publications relative to the Babcock trial are false, THE SAFE BURGLARY; NETTLESHIP MAKES A CLEAN BREAST OF THA DISTRICT CONSPTRACY. Last evening a Henato representative called upop ex-United States Detective Ichabod C. Nettlesbip, af his residence on Pennsylvania avenue, Newark, in order to ascertain what truth there was in the report, that be bad made a full confession to the authorities in Washington of the details of what is known as “tho District safe burglary conspiracy.” Mr. Nettleship | stated in @ most frank and unreserved man ner. that i was true that he had beem summoned to Washington by District Attorney Wells; that he had oveyed tho summons, and had | made aclean breast of all ne knew concerning the fa | mous conspiracy. On arriving in Washington, and be- | fore he could reach the District Attorney’s office, he | was waylaid by certain prominent implicated parties who made strenuous efforts to induce him not to obey | Mr. Wells’ summons, but, having determined to relieve his mind and at the same time serve the cause of long crasbed truth, he was proof against the elo | quence of bis interceptera For obvious reasons he could not, he said, wow report names and details, bat there was no doubt that the trath would prevail, and cause a sensation scarcely second to the Belknap Th eral supposition that Mr. col movey out of the ef burgiary affair is altogother or roueous. He is of very little beyond nis. scant business earnings. DEFAULTING POLICE JUSTICES, As the investigation into the accounts of the police justices at Jersey City progresses new and starting facts come w light, All the leaves contaiming entriet by Justice Shackleton in the Second District Court were cut away and the Board of Finances charges the Justice this part of the feeord Lo toll woes. detalation, ea Justices, so far as wilcals bas been hess: um “ies |