Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-01-30
TIE CREDIT .uoBHIER QUESTION

TIE CREpIT .I0BILIER QUESTION.
Washington, IS. Judge Polands Credit
Mobier Committee resumed their session
this morning.
Judge Poland announced that, at the last
meeting, there was some information in re-
gard to the Sioux City Road, and it fell oat
that Mr.. Blaine was stakeholder in the road
He had notified Mr.. Blaine to be present to-
day. 10 make any statement he might desire.
Speaker Blaire,-Mr. Chairman, see Mr..
Stevenson who introduced the resolution.
present, and l would like him to state what
facts he based his resolution upon. The res
olution alleged so and so, and want him to
state by whom. and what, is alleged. l want
something to speak to, and therefore request
Mr.. Stevenson to be sworn.
MIR. Stevenson. Oh, certainly, prefer to,
and also that others be sworn.
Mr.. Stevenson was then sworn and testified
rs follows;
| Cakes Ames informed me that certain mem
bers of the House, including Allison, himself,
Blaine, and other names he mentioned then,
but don't remember now, were interested in
this railroad. He stated there was con-
structiOn contract similar to that by which the
Union Pacific had been built, and if we want
! ed 20 make an examination, we had better
make an examination of all roads having land
grants, and we would find the Union Pacif c
Railroad was the best among them. He said
Blaine held stock in his own name, or the
name of Mr.. Coburn, Of Maine who is n
wealthy man, and had agreed to put funds in
Mr.. Blaine's hands for such investment, and
that Blaine had invested in this road to the
extent of 100000, and further, that Mr..
Blaine had recently purchased the bonds of
this Co., of himself (Ames.) In order to
settle with the Coburns, l think he said Mr.
Blaine purchased $4,000 or $40 600 worth
Of bonds and paid him 50 cents on the dollar,
and the Coburns 80 cents on the dollar.
Mr.. Blaine.-Mr. Stevenson, when did this
conversation occur?
A. y few days before l offered the resolu-
ton.
Q. Did it not occur at the dinner table at
the Arlington Hotel on the day that you Of
fered the resolution, and after you had offered
it?
A. No sir. l had ali the details before
offered the resolution.
@. Are you quite sure Of that:
A. Yes sir.
O. Arc you quite sure that the converse
ton with Mr.. Ames was not at the Arlington
House after you offered the resolution?
4. Yes sir. l have subsequently received
from other persons further information, but
all have is hearsay, but understand the
committee wants to know upon what based
my resolution.
Judge Poland.-Any information YOU have
derived since, which you think is authentic,
we will be glad to hear.
Mr.. StevensOn.-All the information have
is from witness who has been called, and
will be called again. the additional informa-
ton came from Mr.. John B. Alley, man
whom | never saw until introduced to him by
Mr.. Ames at the Arlington Hotel. lie stated
that the Iowa Falls and Sioux city Railroad
Company was organized in 1867 that lie was
stakeholder himself, also Samuel Hooper &
Co., and Mr. Ames; that some gentlemen in
Boston represented the Co. He said he had
no personal knowledge of Mr.. Blaine being a
stoekhoider. lie went over the details to me
in vague way; but did not seem to have
much personal knowledge. Before proceed
ing in the matter examined the statutes, and
found in volume IL, the act of May 18th,
1856, found also that the grant expired in
1866; also that the time for completing the
road was extended.
Mr.. Stevenson here read from the journal
of the House for that session as to the action
on the bill.
Mr.. Blaine.-You don't mean to say that l
was Speaker then?
Answer.-No, sir, but you were as well
posted on the rules as anybody in the House.
Mr.. Stevenson continued to read from the
journal, and upon being questioned, answered
that the record showed that Mr.. Blaine was
among those not voting on the bills. The
witness quoted therefrom.
Mr.. Blaine asked him TO explain certain
portions thereof, and remarked, ~ have
studied the record also"
Mr. Steyenson.-I don't need any help, but
perhaps some other people do.
Judge Poland asked MIR. Blaine if he de-
sired to question Mr. Stevenson.
Mr. Blaine replied in the negative, but re-
quested that Mr.. Ames be called.
Cakes Afnes was recalled and examined by
Mr.. Blaine. Mr.. Stevenson in his statement
says, whereas it is alleged ETC., etc., giving
as basis thereof q conversation he had with
you. l ask you whether that conversation
occurred before or after he offered the res
olution.
Mr.. Ames.-It was the day or night after
he offered the resolution, and occurred at :