The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-01-22
COLUMBIA. Sc. Sc
We 1nesda4 4saorniA${ snaasyis& 1878

OF Congressional corruption. in connec-
tion with The Credit Mobilier, when first
made public last summer during the
Presidential campaign. At first there
was studied and ominous silence on the
part Of the persona thus charged. The
World and the Tribune. however, in
dnstriously kept the oharges and specif-
cations prominent and conspicuous in.
their columns. The accused wore mostly
engaged in delivering electioneeriug ad-
dresses in different States, and had not,
for time. the opportunity of conference.
and OF 6xing, npon the+policy which they
should Jointly pursue. At last, as IL by
comnon agreement. during thamolAkof
Ssptembsr. the silence was broken in
fat deniala Of any complioity inrdoubt-
full transactions, and, in somo oases, Of
any participation at all in the affairs of
the Credit, Mobilisr.i. In publishing
these the Radical aud extreme party
press expstiated on. the cruelty, wrong
and falsehood thus sought to be done to,
innocent persons. Oakes Ames himself,
who was charged by MoOomb with being
tho agent in administering these bribeB,
and the tempter OF Congressional ho-
nesty, wrote III indignant remonstranoe
against, and sinieanphatic denial OF, the
imphts.ion,, s tn . letter addressed to his
constituents last fall, he declared 'shat
not ssinglel share Of the stock CT that
company, was ever given to-any member
Of Congress, direotly or. Indirectly"
NoYh he admits that the lettera then at,
tribdted TO- him, In which he says, he
assigned stock to four Massachusetts
meGbara, and to others in other States,
"wheses i would de most good" are
genuine. He is the principal witness in
extorted statements and confessions
against those whom he then studiously
and anxiously sought to shield by his
denial.
This is no pleasant theme, but as a
part OF the history OF these corrupt
times, it is perhaps necessary to dsguer-
reotype it for our readers. They must
understand that the Union Pacific Rail
road was largely aided by the United
States Government in subsidies, land
grants, appropriations and special legis-
lation. Some of the directors wsrs .ap.
pointea;bg the Government. in addition
to those selected by the stockholders, as
trustees to act in behalf OF the people.
The Credit Mobilier is ''ring" OF these
directors, formed within il. to make
money out OF the company. They con-
trolled the contracts, and ont OF them,
and in every other copoeivable and pos
sible way. made their millions. Such
operationa neoessitated that they should
especially propitiate the Gov vernment d.
reotors, and acquire large number Of
friends in Congress. This was done in
this wise: The ring people. protesting to
acts as trustees" took certain shares Of
Credit Mobilier stock, worth ten or
twelve times its face, and sold them at
par to members Of Congress. choosing
those members whose favor they wished
to secure, or whose opposition they
dreaded, and must neutralize. They
even aided the naembers in making these
purchases. by lending them money, or
by taking it out OF The dividends OF the
stock nominally sold to them and already
accrued. Many friends of the Credit
Mobilier, able to assist it by their &C.
tivity or their silence, were thus made at
the expense OF honesty and open dealing.
This is an ugly business for honest
men, or gentlemen, to be engaged in.
It has been brought to light through q
quarrel over the spoils in the "ring"
itself. McOomb brought suit against
Ames for certain shares which ha claim
ed, and the affair thus got publicity in
the courts. Finally, it became such a
scandal, that Congress was compelled to
investigate it. It is not likely, but for
the fear OF detection and disgrace. that
The stock 30 knowingly "placed" by
Ames would have ever left the pockets
OF its possessors. When exposure was
imminent, many of them hastened to re.
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