Wilmington daily commercial., 1872-12-16
THE CREDIT MOBILIER INQUIRY.

WASHINGTON, Dec, 1

lSOffetpOuuenc5 VI M 1TlDuue.l
WASHINGTON, Dec, IS.
Col McCombs testimony Astonished the Com
mittee and opened broad field for future inquiry
He IL said to have made clear, plain statement
Of the history Of the Credit Mobier Company
and Of Oakes Ames relations with it, and to have
filed important papers to sustain his evidence
He said that Ames had demanded and received
from the Company large amount Of stock with
the avowed purpose OF placing 1t among Members
OF Congress In such way as to influence legisla-
tion in which the Union Pacific Railroad was in-
terested. The stock was placed in his hands with
the distinct understanding that he was to make
this use of it, and il he had not done so then he
had made false representations, and must have
wrongfuly appropriated it TO his own use.
Col. MoComb said that he had personal know
ledge Of the acceptance Of stock by one Member
Of Congress only. He was present at an inter
view between Ames and prominent Democrat
10 member, whom he named. who offered to do
all he could to control the Democratic side Of
the House in the interest Of the railroad, in con-
alteration of fifty shares Of stock TO be deliver
cd to his brother-in-law, and Ames closed the
bargain with him upon these terms. Ames had
Informed McOomb that he had secured other
members of the House, and also number Of
Senators, in the same way. The witness could
not testify to the truth, of Ames assertions
In this respect but he is reported to have salts
fed the Committee that Ames had taken the
stock and he testified positively to the explana-
tions Ames had made TO him Of its use.
His evidence made strong impression upon
the Committee, who could not see how, unless
McComb's oath was shown to be worthless,
Ames could escape from the dilemma OF either
acknowledging that he had deceived the Credit
Mobilier directors, and had converted TO his own
use a large amount Of stock, under pretense OF
distributing 1t among Congressman, or else ad-
mitting that he had diatrieuted 1t az he pretend
cd to have done. Col MoComb is understood
to have made some starting revelations about
the management OF the finances Of the Union
Pacific Railroad, into which he was necessarily
Obliged to go to some extent, in order to explain
fully the workings Of the Credit Mobilier Com
Pany. ...
HOW AMEs AND ALLEY DENY EVERYTHING.
Correspondence Of the Boston Advertser.l
WASHINGTON, Dec IS
Tomorrow Mr.. Alley will be examined, and II
| is doubtful il single session suffices for his
| testimony He will give full history Of the
organization, operation and results OF the Cred
| il Mobilier, with which he fully familiar,
| and what will be Of no less interest, the origin
| and object OF McOomb's suit against the COM
pAny. Mr.. Ames will probably follow Mr.. Alley,
| and will of course oorroborate his testimony in
all important points. The substance Of Mr..
| Ames testimony will be statement OF the sale
/ of stock Of the Credit Mobiier to certain OF his
i friends in Congress and out Of 1t, for cash and
i at the current market price. Opportunities TO
/ purchase were, however, at that time rare and
valuable, and for this the influence OF Mr.. Ames
i was undoubtedly necessary. subsequently,
holders Of stock disposed OF it in their own time
/ and manner, and without the advice or aid OF
/ other parties. Much of ii was bought in again by
| Mr.. Ames, and Is now In his possession. The
whole transaction, however, occurred after the
Pacific Railroad had secured its legislation, and
had no connection with past or future
services on the floor Of Congress.
| Among the owners OF stock in the manner
| described will be found several persons whose
names have been publishedi in campaign scandal,
and some of whom, in their haste to excuse them
| selves, have made public and explicit denial OF
| any possession Of the stock or any OF it's profits.
These would be greatly rsliaved il Mr.. Ames
| would assume the responsibility of their denials
| and confirm their statements, but this he VIII
| probably decline to do. His intention is simply
to tell the whole truth without evasion or reser-
vation, and let it fall where it may In this con-
neotion proposition is said TO have been broached
to Mr. Ames BY the McComh party, that il he would
swear that he hssd the disputed stock as trustee
| for McComb, the matter might be compromised d
| and further proceedings stoppeds THE also Mr..
| Ames declined to do, Judge Black, Mooomb 3
counsel left this evening for New York, the
committee having indicated this morning that
they preferred to conduct the OK Amminations.
PROGRESS OF THE INVESTIGATION, ON SATURDAY.
The Committee we're in session only short
time. The testimony Of Mr.. Alley, formerly a
member from Massachusetts was heard,
| and that OF Mr. Ames commenced. Al
| ley denied that any shares we're given away to
anybody Col. McOomb again requested that
] the books OF the Credit Mobilier be produced,
but the Committee will probably refuse to de-
mand them. The friends OF Congressman
Brooks, Of New York, (the Democratic member
who is charged with receiving his shares as q
condition OF supporting the Credit Mobilier In
| Congress,) deny the charge