, 1872-12-04
THE CREDIT MOBILIER INVESTIGATION

Nr. Blaine's resolution, calling for an inVesti-
cation Of the alleged connection between certain
members Of Congress and the Credit Mobiier
scheme Of the Union Pacific Railroad, was very
proper, and was not unexpected. The gentle
men whose names have been associated with
that Of Mr. Oakes Ames in this scheme are
among the most prominent in the country.
They include A1r. Blaine, the Speaker Of the
House; Mr.: Colfax, the Vice President Of the
United States; A1r. Henry Wilson, the Vice
President~elect; Mr. Boutwell,, Secretary Of the
Treasury, and AIessrs Patterson, scofeld,
Gardold,-all gentlemen who have held promi
nent positions in Congress. The connection
with the Credit Mobilier which has been
imputed to them was first mnde
public by affdavits in lawsuit, which con-
tanned copies of letters that Mr. Il. S. M'Comb,
wealthy citizen OF Delaware, testifes he re-
ceiVed from Mr. Cakes Ames, a member Of Con-
gress from Massachusetts, a large stockho1der
in the Credit Mobiier, and a brother Of the then
President Of the Union Pacific Railroad. These
letters we're written to tell what had become OF
certain shares Of stock in the Credit Mobi1ier,
which Mr. MComb claimed as his own, and Mr.
Ames stated that he had "assigned them to
representatives OF eeveral States named-the
inference being that they were members OF Con-
gress From the clause in one OF the letters
saying "Let them have the stock at par and
L. :-k
that the shares Of stock had been, or we're to
be, " "asBigned" at par at a time when they were
actually worth from 200 to 400 per cent, and that
even this par value was to be paid out of the
profits that should accrue after the transfer.
Mr.. M'Comb also submitted the list OF names
Of members Of Congress given above, with the
par value Of stock that was said to have been
transferred to each Of them, claiming the list to
be copy from similar list read to him by
Oakea Anaes. and taken off BY him in pencil
mark On the back OF one Of Ames' letters.
We print elsewhere the AmeB letters and other
information which will recall the case more
fully.
Neither the public nor the gentlemen whose
names have been mentioned could afford to
have this matter ignored by Congress-. The
charge is either true or not true. We presume
it is not true as to those who have publicly de-
MED it. Perhaps it is not true as to the others.
II not true, then it is the duty Of Congress- to
take cognizaace Of A1r. Cakes Ames action,
which be himself has indicated in his letters to
To11 Il
said in regard to the matter is, that he never
furnished M'Comb With the list which the lat
ter submitted in the Court. He has not yet
denied, however, that he wrote the letters,
copies OF which 1rComb submitted, claiming
that be retained the originals in his possession.
II these letters are genuine, they prove that
Mr.. Oakes Ames, while a member Of Congress,
WAS either endeayoring to bribe other members
Of Congress, or WAS representing to q partner in
business that he was using stock for this pur~
pose, while he vas, in fact, keeping it for his
own profit. Either issue would prove that Mr.
Oahes Ames is not fit person to occupy q seat
in Congress-, and would demand his immediate
expulsion. Thus the proposed Investigation is
one that is imperatively demanded by the public
welfare, whatever it's result may be.
The resolution offered by Mr. Blaine was very
fair, especially as accompanied by the request
that the majority Of the Committee ahould be
made up from the minority party in the House. !
Mr. Cox, Chairman pro tena., appointed Messrs
Poland and McC1ary from the majority party,
and Messrs. Banks, Beck, and Niblack from the
minority, to serve on the Committee, which will
strike the public as a selection OF competent
and trustworthy men.