Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-12-25
Correspondence Of the Boston Traveller.
The Credit MObilier Investigation.
WASHINGTON, D. G., Dec, l6.

WASHINGTON, d. O., Dec. l6.
judge Poland's committee TO investigate
the Credit Mobilier charges, out OF which
the Democrats endeavored to make so much
political capital during the recent campaign
held its fourth meeting to-day, and to most
Washington correspondents its proceedings
remain sealed books. There is one great
mistake 10 the conduct Of the examination,
and that is the holding it with closed doors
The average American, whose ideas ought
certainly to be respected, will hardly be
satisfied with such an arrangement. There
is but one argument that will be used, and
that is if no one is guilty no one will be
injured by holding the examinations in
public, aud if any one isguilty, the sooner
he is known and punished, the better for
the interests of general and political mo-
rality.
There is Of course great curiosity to
know what the investigation is developing.
" Was there any truth in the charges pre-
ferred last fall2'' is constantly recurring
question. Having obtained 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 a
farming state Of affairs in Congressional leg.
islaton. 1t has shown conousively that
Credit Mobilier stock of great value was
paid TO members OF Congress for their ct.
forts in securing certain Congressional ac-
ton 1t has shown corruption in places
where it was little expected but its imme-
date result has been the full acquittal OF
some OF the men named in the list 70 whom
it was charged that stock had been given.
Speaker Blaine aud Henry Wilson are
shown to have been as innocent as Henry
Ward Beecher aud, what is better, the
counsel Of McComb, and McComb himself,
cheerlully Acknowledged as much. | wish
| could say the same with regard to all the
parties. There are two on the list who
will have hard work to clear themselves OF
the imputations cast upon them. The iu-
terests of fairness and the keeping Of good
faith prevent my giving their names to-day
Both Cakes Ames aud John Is. Alley &c
count for the letters which were published
during the campaign in reasonable man.
ner, and their testimony has undoubtedly
had considerable weight with the committee
A great many have alleged that the CON-
mittee will "whilewash the matter be.
fore them.
Your Republican members Of Tho
House don't want this thing to come out,
said prominent Democratic politician tc
Judge Poland the other day
You are mistaken, sir retorted th'
Judge. g The boot is on the other leg"
This is indeed the fact. The time i
past for termiug this political movement
The testimony introduced by Col McComl
duplicates as many Democratic Congress
men as Republican, and they are not Re
publcans who seek to cover up what cor
ruption there may be. The Republican
implicated are serene. Quite the contrarl
is the case with the Democrats
The committee is formed Of five gentle
men, two Republicans, two Democrats, an,
one Liberal. Certainly, in general sense
no committee could have been chosel
whose verdict would be more impartial.
give you the premises for forming al
] Npaulous as lbI luN SVlhmlNttb IL wa
probably expose all it thinks it ought to.
There should be no whitewashing. Th
time has not yet come, it is to be hoped
when because a man belongs to any poiiti
cal organization he is to be shielded By tina
organization. For my part, as Henry Wi
son said to me day or two ago, " If Their
is nybody guilty hope be will be pun
ished." 1t will injure the Republican
party more to retain dishonest men than {,
expel them and let people know they wer
dishonest. 1t never yet imperllled th'
church to ex-communicate trail ecclesi
astic. There ought to be universal de
mand for an open investigation and iai
judgment, and the expulsion Of every mem
Der of Congress, Republican or Democrat
who may be found guilty
As the investigation proceeds, more vii
doubtless be developed. What the resul
will be, of course no man can say viii
certainty. So far as am at present en-
abled to judge the report OF the vyurmi,'v
will first exonorate Cakes Ames from an.
wrong intent; second, call for the expul
sion, or at least an explanation from a
least two members of the House; third
proclaim the innocence Of the majority O
the parties charged with having take
brides; and lastly, leave the rest to be in
ferred,