New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-09-07
THE CREDIT MoBILIER SCANDAL


We publish this morning, with all possible
reserve. an article from The NeiC- York Sun
making the most serious charges against the
corporation known as the Credit Moblller OF
America This article is founded upon
transcript of certain evidence recently taken
in a suit between the Company and ITS agents
which has in some way come into the posses
sion of The Sun. The evidence contains state
ments, apparently supported by letters ana
written memoranda, going to show that vast
and extraordinary system OF bribery. ana cor
ruption has been carried on in Congress for
period of several years in the interest Oh the
corporation referred to. Several private letters
from Mr. Cakes Ames are printed III the eVi-
dence. which clearly indicate that ne was
either pursuing system of bribery among the
members of Congress, or that he wished 70
persuade his associates that he was thus CHI
plOyed.
For long time past there have been ru-
mors of such n state of things as is here set
forth. A few of tho persons who are men
toned in these published memoranda nave
been more or less openly accused OF Deihg III
the nav of the Credit MObiicr. But we think
no one will be prepared to read the details OF
the operations of the Company, and especially
the list of names which they pretend to nave
secured for their service, without an emotion
of nrofound and painful establishment. Wmle
II ia true that some of the persons mentioned
have NOT been hitherto distinguished for aDsO-
Int and unspOtted purity, there are otners
whose names look singularly out OF place
| when penciled on the back OF MI. Amess
letter. as standing on the roll OF his property
| The public will look with deep interest NJ the
further Developments of this case. 1t is impos-
sible that it shall now escape the scrutiny
both of Congress and the Courts. II
true. il is terrible discovery; If false
it is an intolerabe calumny. The matter can
NOT he allowed to rest here. If the gentle
men implicated are slandered, they lie unuer
q solemn obligation to right themselves by
every means in their power. If the charges
are true, they indicate lower depth OF de-
mobilization among the members of the Ma
tional Legislature than ever was asserted or
suspected before. If this exposure Is true,
and the truth or falsehoOd of it must soon be
| demonstrated, the duty of Congress and oil
| the constituencies of these unfaithtul stew
ards is very plain. They must instantly be
| expelled by their colleagues and repudlated
by their felow-citizens or any pretense OIL
honest legislation becomes farce. The very
forms of republican government become nox-
ious and destructive when corruption IS al
lowed to poison in such way as this the
very fountains of national life and law.
We have only to add that we should ut
terly refuse to publish the synopsis OF these
papers, which we elsewhere give, and should
regard the Presidential canvass as an addi-
ton reason for declining to aid their circulation,
but for our knowledge of the fact that the letters
of Mr.. Ames are genuine documents, sub
mitted in his own handwriting IN the
due course of trial still pending be-
fore an Examiner in the Eastern Dis
trict of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania,
duly authenticated on oath and elucidated
and confirmed by sworn testimony. What
Mr. Ames may have to say in explana-
ton, we cannot imagine. But fairness
requires that no verdict shall be rem
dered on an er parte statement till the
other side have an opportunity to be heard.
Messrs. Ames Blaine, Wilson & Co.! this
matter is in sworn evidence before the courts.
| What is your explanation Or, do you pSo-
pose to rest silent under testimony that cover
your names with infamy2