The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-12-24

LET TIE TRuTH BR KNowN.-It Is re-.
ported that Mr.. Oakes Ames in his testi-
mouy before tho Congressional Commit.
tee which proteIses to be investigating
the Credit MobIller (alleged) corruption,
admits the substantial correctness Of the
list OF names furnished by McComb in his
testimony before an examiner in the suit
now pending in the Supreme Court oI
Pennsylvania, but justifes the sale oil the
stock to members oL Congress at $100 per
share, which he says was worth at the
time $3.50, on the ground Of its being a
plain business Transaction, dictated by
motives Of esteem and friendly regard.
We hardly think that this explanation
will be satisfactory to the publicmind;
but, under all the circumstances Of the
case as developed, 1t is the best that can
be offered. II II can be demonstrated
that the representatives Of the people are
but the creatures Of corrupt corporations,
who lavish upon them largesses in money,
or in stock at less than one.tourth OF It's
market value, to be paid for in dividends
and not in money, 1t should be shown
without fear or favor; II it be not true, that
should be made manifest, so that right.
eous judgment may fall upon that license
Of the press, which thus trifles with Off.
cial and private regulations. The New
York Post sptlY inquiries:
"How has this demand for an investiga.
tion-made by this and other journals
been met in CongResst Acommittee was
appointed, but la action, thus far has been
as II its purpose was not to bring out the
truth, but 10 cover it up. II Congress be
little better than den Of thieves If the
worst that has ever been said Of the par.
ticular men accused Of being bribed In
their official capacity be true; II all the
railroad legislation he utterly corrupt,
and cannot bear the light; il the purpose
Of this investigating committee be to hide
all this from public sight, then they have
taken the most efficient course in making
a secret investigation. Not only have
they taken the most certain way to create
new brood oil ISLANDERS, more or less
credible, and which will be more or less
believed, by creating new opportunity
Tor their propagation, but they deny to
the public the power OF forming judg.
ment from facts and evidence by studious.
y concealing boLh, and demand that the
decision OF half q dozen men, whose
interest it is that Congress shall be held
TO be immaculate, shall be accepted as
final"
The investigation, as 1t Is being con.
Quoted, Is not only o farce, but an insult
to the intelligence Of the people, and
should be resented by every journal in
the country that has no interest but that
Of tho people TO subserve. The day for
star chamber trials and secret investlga.
tious has passed. Can it be that the rea.
son Tor closing the doors Of the committee
is because members are afraid that the
character Of their legislation, and tho
motives that inspire 1t, will not bear the
test Of public scrutinyr We look upon
this investigation, in It's object, as ono Of
the most important before Congress. It
aims to ascertain whether bribery in most
asgrantform has not entered our national
legislature. The investigation should
have the aid and sympathy Of every
honest man In the country. Bribery by
aid Of bonds and land subsidies Is be.
lieved to be common, with direct profit to
members Of Congtess, This is 80 marked
discredit to the nation that no half way
probing for facts or witewashing Of frauds
after discovery should receive counte-
nance or encouragement in any quarter.