The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-03-07
The Credit MObilier.

The report Of the Poland Credit Mobilier
Committee was submitted to the House on the
18th of February. 1t recites the facts III the
cases of Messrs. Blaine, Dawes Scofeld,
Bingham and Kelley, and states that they were
not aware of Ames purpose in inveigling
them into the investments in Credit Mobilier
stock, or Of the means i'll which it's profits were
drawn at the expense of the Government from
the Union Pacific railroad They are net proved
to have been influenced in their legislative
action by their possession of stock, and the
committee find nothing III their conduct which
calls for recommendation. Mr.. Brooks case
il very different. He was not only member
of Congress, but Government Director. I'm
like his colleagues, he knew what relations the
Credit Mobilier held to the Union Pacific, and
what were the frauds which begotits profits Al
though intrusted with the duty of guarding
the Government, he let it be plundered, and
shared in the booty. The $50 shares standing
in his son-in-laws name were his property
and held subject to his control. The commit
tee believe the course of Ames to have been
corrupt throughout. They recommend that
Ames and Brooks be expelled. The following
is the concluding portion of the report The
duty devolved upon the committee has been of
a most painful and delicate character. They
have performed it to the best of their ability
They have proceeded with the greatest care
and elaboration, for, while they desired to do
their full duty to the House and country, they
were lHOSJ dINiOus lOI 10 no lO dilN
man, In forming these conclusions they have
intended to be entirely cool and dispassiouate
not to allow themselves to be swerved by any
popular favor on one hand. or any feeling of
popular favor and sympathy on the other
The committee submit to the House and
recommend the adoption of the following
resolutions:
|. WHEREAS, Mr.. Cakes Ames. Represent
alive in this House from the State of Massa-
chusetts has been guilty of selling to mem
bers of Congress shares Of stock in the Credit
Mobilier of America for prices much below the
value of such stock, with intent thereby to in
fluence the votes and decisions of such men,
bers i'll matters to be brought before Congress
for action therefore,
ReSOired, That Cakes Ames be, and is here
by expelled from his seat as a member of
this House.
ii. WHEREAS, Mr.. James Brooks, Repre-
sentative in this House from the State of New
York did procure the Credit Mobilier Com
pany TO issue and deliver to Mr.. Charles H.
Nelson, for the use and benefit of said Brooks,
fifty shares of stock of said company at price
much below its real value, well knowing that
the same was issued and delivered with the in
tent to influence the vote and decision # said
Brooks az a member of the House, on matters
to be brought before Congress for action, and
also to influence the action of said Brooks az
Government Director in the Union Pacific
Railroad Company therefore,
ReSOtred, That Mr.. James Brooks be, and IL
hereby, expelled from his seat member of
this House.
The Wilson Credit Mobilier Committee made
their report to the House OH the Goth of Feb
ruary. The Union Pacific railroad, they say,
cost $50, 100000. It's builders received in cash
value not less than S23, GOO, 900, or 4S per cent.
of the cost. In the opinion of the committee
the company had no right, a. against either its
creditors or the minority of its stockholders
to distribute any portion of it's capital az divi-
dends Still more unjustifiable it to
squander i'll dividends money borrowed of the
Government or on first mortgage bonds.
There is no evidence of mismanagement by the
present directors of the road, and the commit
tee see no way in which those who hold stock
which they have bought in good faith can be
disturbed. The report closes with bill direct
ing the Attorney General to begin suit imme-
diately for the protection of the interests of
the Government III the road, and the recovery
of the sums of which both the road and the
Government have been plundered. Mr. Swami.
of Maryland, agrees with the committee, so far
az they go. but thinks they fall short of their
duty in not making recommendations for the
treatment of the Congressman who had deal
ings with Cakes Ames.