Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1872-12-25
The credit Mobiiier Scandal.

with It's charges OF fifty or a hundred dollar
fees against some of Vermont's legislators
and Uffi ;ials, dwArts into rather small proper
tons when compared with the great "Credit
.nob.lier," against which Judge Poland 1t
leading the investigating forces. They may
foot up about the same in the end however,
although SO far as . leakage gives any clue
to the real situation it is claimed by the
Washington gossips that matters now have
much worse look so far as the Credit
Mobilier affair is concerned than before the
investigation began. The public gave very
little attention to the charges against GER
tain leading Congressman during the late
canvass, and it was supposed the inVestiga-
ton moved by Mr. Blaine would be mere
form, resulting in an official acquital OF him
self and colleagues. But when it was deci
ded to conduct the inquiry in secret an lm-
portance was given it. which 1t did not be-
fore possess. Secret Investigations are not
popular in this country, and as they never
are and never can be made absolutely secret,
the worst side always gets out and false
public sentiment is sometimes created or en-
couraged thereby, which Is difficult to eradI-
cate. The Washington correspondent OF
the Bos on Traveller, under date of Dec. 10,
takes about the right view Of the case.
Judge Poland's committee to investigate
the Credit Mobilier charges, out of which
the Democrats endeaycred 10 make so much
political ca pital during the recent campaign,
held it's fourth meeting to day, and to most
Washington correspondents It's proceedings
ramain sealed books. There Is one great
mistake in the conduct Of the examination,
and that Is the holding it with closed doors.
The avera Se American, whose ideas ought Ger
tainly to be respected will hardly be satisfied
with such an arrangement There is but
one aTgu nenJ that will be used, and lhal i
II no one Is guilty DO one viii be InJuI cd by
holding the examinations in public, and A.
any one is guilty the sooner he Is known
and punished tie better for the interest OF
OF general and political morality.
There Is of course great curiosity 10 know
what the lnvestigs ton is developing.
- Was there any truth in the charges pre-
ierred last fall ? - Is a constantly recurring
question. Having obtained a considerable
insight into the workings OF the committee
| am enabled to express an opinion that Will
not be wide of the mark.
The examination has shown a most alarm
ing state of affairs IN Congressional Iegisla-
ton. 1t has shown cJnciuslyely that Credit
MobIlier stock OF great value was paid 10
members OF Congress Tor their efforts IN Sc
curing certain Congressional action. 1t has
shown corruption IN PAGES where 1t was lit
tie expected but Its Immediate result las
been the full acquittal OF some Of the men
named In the list TO whom il was charged
that stock has been given. Speaker Blaine
and Henry Wilson are shown 10 have been
as innocent as Henry Ward BeechcT, and,
what is better, the counsel Of McCOmb. and
McCOmb himself. cheerlully acknowledge as
much. | wish | could gay the same with re
gard to all the parties. Tnere are two on
the list who VIII have hard work to clear
themselves OF t c lmputatlOus cast upon
them. HE interests OF fairness and the
keeping OF good iaIth prevent my giving
their names to-day. Both Cakes mes and
John b Allen account Tor the letters which
were published during the campaign IN II
reasonable manner, and their tcstim ny has
undoubtedly had considerable weight with
the Committee.
great many have alleged that the com
lnIttee wal .. WnI,ewash the matters be
lore them.
.. Your Republican members Of the II use
don't want tnIs thIug to come out, sand a
prominent DOmOuauc politician 10 Judge
Poland tue other d.y.
q. You are mistaken, SIT retOrted the
Judge. = Inc boot Is on tie other lek.
Inns Is indeed The TACT. Inc time Is past
for termlng TINS a political movement. The
testimony introduced BY Col. McCOmb I'M
plicates as many Democratic Congressmen
as Repu 0lIcan, and they are not Repu bhcans
who seek 10 cover up what corruption there
may be. The Republicans Implicated are
serene. Quite the contrary is TIE case with
the Democrats.
The committee is formed of five gentle
men, two Republicans, TWO Democrats, aud
one Liberal. Certainly, IN general sense,
no committee could have been chosen whose
verdict would be more impartial.
| give you tile premises for forming an
opinion. As tor tie committee it Will prot
ably expose all it thinks 1t ought to.
There should be no whitcwashlng. The
time has not yet come, 1t Is to be hoped
when because a man belongs to any political
organization he is TO be shielded by that or
ganization For my part, as Henry Wilson
said to me day or two ago, ." II there Is
ANYBODY guilty 1 hope he Will DO punished.
Is Will iujure the Republican party more t.
retain dishonest men than to expel them and
let people know they were dishonest. 1t
never vet impcrIlled tie church to ex-cOm-
municate fraIl ecclesiastlc There ought
to be universal demand for an open inves-
tigation and Il fair Judgemut, and the ex-
uIsIon OF every member OF Congress, Re
publican or Democrat, who may lie found
guilty.
As the investigation process more will
doubtless be developed What the result
will be, OF course no man can say with Ger
| taInty 30 far as | an at present enabled
to Judge, the report OF the committee Will
first exUnerate Oakes .Ames from any wrong
intent second, cali for the expulsion or al
least an explanation from at least Two mem
bers Of the House (; third, proclaim the m
nocencc OF the majority of the parties
charged with having taken brides; and
lastly, leave the rest TO be inferred
WEST.