New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-18
WASHINGTON.
THE CREDIT MoBILIER INVESTIGATION.
CONGRESSMAN BROOKS DEFENDS HIMSELF AND
DENoUNCEs M'CoMB--C0NCERkING MAKING
THE INQUIRY PUBLIC--MCoMBS REJoINDER.
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WASHINGTON Dec. Thames Brooks made
apersonal explanation OF nearly on hour in length to-
day relation the charge reported to have been made
by Col McComb that he had secured so shares OF the
Credit Mobier stock return for his influence with the
Democratic side Of the House. Mr.. Brookss statement
would perhaps have been foroble IL 1t had been
brefer; but thoughit worth while to go at length
into the circumstances of his connection with the Union
Pacific Railroad, first q Government director and
afterwards a stockhoders director and also to make
an exposure Of various transactions Of McComb
which, II true, not at all to the credit OF that
gentleman. The whole house listened throughout with
the attention. the occupants OF seats distant
from Mr.. Brookss desk, standing In dense group In
Of him. Towards the close Of bis speech he raised
his hand In the Of witness taking an oath, and
said that before God and his countrymen he swore that
he had never attempted to influence the vote Of mem
Congress In any way which would result 10 his
pecuniary advantage, and he declared that he had
always refrained from voting all questions in which
the Union Pacific Railroad interested He said that
he had never owned, directly indirectly any Credit
Mober stock, and he ridcued the idea that for 5000
worth OF stock he had taken contract to control the
Democratic side OF the House. He declared, how
that he held IT sin for Member of Congress 10
Credit Mobilier any other stock II he came by IL
honestly, and did not let it influence his action as
member He said that his son-inlaw, Mr.. Nelson,
doing business In Wallst had bought so shares in
the Credit Mober in 1868 and still held It, and he ex
hbited the certificate Of this stock and receipt for
$50 49, paid for the by his sonn law and signed
by the President of the company This he declaredwas
the only basis Of truth McCOmb had for his charge Mr.
Brooks's theory Of McCombs conduct that he fabr
Gated the list Of the back Of Cakes
Ames's letter, partly for political effect, and
partly because he hoped to gain some
thing thereby in the suit pending in the Pennsyl-
Court and that after the Of the Repubh
mans in the election he changed his tactics and deter
mined TO direct his attack against the Democrats and
has selected him prominent member Of that party.
1fr. Brooks denounced McComb adventurer who
had character for 10 years past showed that he
lately engaged in brbing the Louisiana Legislature to
get railroad bill passed. and stated that in 1854 mill
tary commission appointed by the Secretary OF War TO
investigate army swindes and fraudulent contractors
reported McComb at the head Of the list robber Of
the soldiers In conclusion he asked for the fullest in
vesgaOn at the hands Of the Committee, and wanted
them te "riddle him from top 10 bottom" II guilty OF
the charge, he said he ought to be expelled from the
House and from all association with decent men.
Mr.. Poland, the Chairman OF the Investigating Com
mittee, said that II there any charges against Mr.
Brooks they would be fully investigated He then made
weak defense Of the Committees course in sitting
with closed DOORS the gst Of which that they did
did not want to be bothered with crowd Of report
ers" he had noticed that when Investigations were
open the reporters differed widely about the testi
mony and got no more truth in their stories than
they had thus far in what they had said about his Com
mittee. Mr.. Merrick, Democratic member of the Com
miteo hoped the Of the house would be taken
the question of their sitting with open DOORS and Mr.
Wood went to work writing resolution for this purpose,
before he could finish 1t Mr. Young of Georgia offered
long preamble and resolution directing the Commit
tee 20 investigate charges against the Union Pacific
Railroad Company OF having defrauded the Govern
ment and private citizens Of millions OF dollars inns
was objected 20 by Dawes and others as divert
Ing tho Committee from their inquiry into the
charges against members OF Congress- Mr.. Wood then
offered his resolution instrucng the Committee to make
their stugs public required unanimous consent for
Its introduction. and when the Speaker asked for OBJ
Iecuons there a dead silence for moment, and 1t
appeared as there would be found member willing
to do 90 ungracious thing prevent the House from
voting on the resolutions but at last Perez OF Mississippi
rose hestatngy and objected account he SAID OF
the reasons given by Mr. Poland This ended the mat
ter for the tlme but the resolution will doubtless be
offered at some time when unanimous consent is not
req isite for its reception.
C,I. McComb in conversation with his friends here.
denies the truth of Mr. Brookss statements concerning
him. and says that he shall publish reply over his own
signature and shall, besides hold Brooks personally re-
sponsible He declares that he never brbed the Lous
ana Legislature, and that, instead Of having been
reported by Secretary Stanton swinder the Secre
tary was his personal friend up TO the day OF his death
McComb declares that Brooks is sued by Duran for
90 shares stock that be has 80 more beside; and that
when his sonnaw bought the 50 shares for 500 share
the stock was worth $3.50.
CAKES AMEs's TESTIMONY THE PLACING OF
STOCK ANhNOM AND
lBY TELEGRAPH 10 THE TRIBUSRl
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17.-Oakes Ames appeared
before the Credit Mobier Committee to-day, with Caleb
Gushing as his counsel In place OF Mr. McMurty OF Phil
adepha who has heretofore been acting in that capae
ity He read part only OF his statement, much Of
the time being the Committee in discussing
the question Of the propriety OF giving him written
questions answer instead OF verbally nterrogating
him on his statement that there not time to hear 1t
all The portion explaining his motive IN placing the
stock among Congressman and defending their action
in accepting It, deferred until tomorrow 1t Is I'M
erstood that he dispute the truth Of McCombs ev
idence but the genuneness OF the letters
McComb produced, and said that all the men whose
names appear on list the back OF one Of the let
ters with exception had the stock directly or IN
directly for some period Of time paying for II in
cash while others allowed time to make payment
some returning it and others still holding It, One report
Is that Ames excepted three Of the men named and
another Is that ne made exceptions. The most
authentic information obtaInsbe, however, s that he
named but one entirely out Of the bushes
Ames's testimony ia believed reduce the whole affair
70 q question OF motive. He will doubt declare to-
morrow that he had corrupt intent in selling the
stock TO his friends and that they had In buying
H. The possession Of stock in railroad other compa
MES by members Of Congress cannot be considered
traaTaeie evidence Of corruption their part. And
there IL evidence that the members whom Ames let
into the Credit MobAier from friendly motives" as he
declares accepted the stock bribe or were improp
ery Influenced in their votes by the possession OF it, the
Committee may feel able 10 report that the transfer OF
the stock was legitimate business transaction In
such the only men who would seem seriously 10
suffer In reputation would be those who In panic made
haste 70 deny in positive that they ever had any
OF the stock.
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