Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1873-02-27
The Credit Mobilier.

The Credit MObiIier.
AT the sittings of the Wilson committee on
the 18th, o. j. Dickey, formerly a law partner
and the executor of the late Thaddeus Stevens,
made a statement that Mr.. Stevees never had
bonds or stocks of the Union Pacific road.
The Poland committee took no testimony on
the 18th.
The three Credit Mobilier Investigations
one in secret session. The Senate
appointed to consider the testimony taken by
the House committee which inculpated Sena-
tore, had Senators Logan, Wilson and Harlan
before them. The former, not having taken
the Credit Mobilier stock, said he had nothing
to add to his statement made to the House
committee. Senator Harlan admitted receiving
over So, 600 check at one time, and the same
amount at another time from the Vice-Presi-
dent of the Union Pacific railroad, to aid in his
election as Senator from Iowa. He maintained
that this was needed to pay hotel bills, print
ing, etc. Senator Wilson detailed again his
statement that it was his wife's money which
went into the Credit Mobilier stock on Ames'
advice, but that as he CWilson1 had also advised
morally responsible, and did not want to shirk
nor hesitate to tell the whole story. He in
sisted that as soon as he heard there was any
thing wrong about it, he at once had his wife
| a cent of profit.
The Wilson committee heard some important
evidence on the Central Pacific road, while the
Poland committee remained in secret session
writing upon their report.
At the sitting of the Senate committee, on
the 14th, Senator Conkling denied that he ever
owned, In any way, stock of the Credit Mobi-
lier, or the Union Pacific. Mr.. Senator Patter-
son made a lengthy statement as to his tran
~sactions with Cakes Ames.
C. P. Huntington, Vice-President of the
Central Pacific Railroad Company, was exam
ined before the Wilson committee with refer
ence to the construction of his road. He de-
tailed the financial embarrassments under
which the company labored in building the
road.
A Washington dispatch of the 18th says |:
A most exciting public interest has conferred
lier, of which Judge Poland is Chairman. That
committee, this morning, agreed on the essen
tial features of its report, which include a
Recommendation for the expulsion of Repre-
sentatives Ames and Brooks, the probable i'm
peachment of Vice-President Colfax, and the
severe censure of the rest of the inculpated
Congressman. The committee has waived the
question, though most of the presidents are
against it, as whether this House can expel a
member for acts done in a previous Congress.
As may well be imagined, these revelations
have created q profound sensationin Congress,
where the opinion was quite freely expressed
that if Ames and Brooks were to be expelled,
others should be placed in the same category,
and not be allowed to get off with mere CEN
sure. Propositions Will certainly be made in
the open House to include others, and with
the hope, it is said, of SO complicating the
matter that after all nobody will be expelled.
When Ames was told to-day that only he and
O1OOh6 nOIO " 10 OAPOIIOOy lO ndlO NOn.
that looks as though Brooks was to be expelled
for lying, and I for telling the truth"
Observation-Disclosures Wilson was recalled be-
fore the Senate committee on the 18th, and
his attention was called to a dispatch sent to
the New York Times on the 10Th of September
last, contradicting, by his authority, the state
ment that he held Credit Mobilier stock.
Senator Stockton asked the witness if he had
replied he had q conversation with Gen. Boyn-
ton, and did authorize the contradiction. The
dispatch was the substance of a conversation
he had with Gen. Boynton. The witness
would take the word of Gen. Boynton. He is a
man of character, and is trustworthy. Sena-
tor James W. Patterson was recalled, and tes-
titled that his conversation with Ames in rela-
ton to taking stock might have been earlier
than 1867. 1t probably occurred during the
session of 1866; could not remember.
The money was paid for the stock by
and signed by witness called for 200 shares,
whereas, in point of fact, he received 800
shares, and put them in the hands of a broker
to sell. Gen. ii. V. Boynton was sworn, and
testified that the dispatch he sent to the New
York Times ON Sept. 16 vas authorized by
Senator Wilson. 1t was written by witness,
but not submitted to Senator Wilson before
being sent. MIR. Wilson stated nothing about
his wife having an interest in the Credit Mo-
bilier. Senator Harlan vas recalled, and read
a lengthy statement to the effect that DR..
Durant's contribution towards the expenses of
the Iowa election was voluntary on his part,
AO NV . VI ILL " ELK ~
ness, or from any one at the instance of the
witness. It was not made in consideration of
any service performed or to be performed,
personally or officially, by the witness for him
or any other person or company that there
implied.
The report of the Poland Credit Mobilier
Committee was submitted to the House on the
18th of February. Itrecitesth the facts in the cases
of Messrs. Blaine, Dawes, Scofield, Bingham and
Kelley, and states that they were not aware of
vestments in Credit Mobilier stock, or of the
means in which its profits were drawn at the
Expense of the Government from the Union
Pacific railroad. They are not proved to have
been influenced in their legislative action by
their possession of stock, and the committee
find nothing in their conduct which calls for
recommendation. MIR. Brooks case is very
different. He was not only a member of Con-
gress, but a Government Director. Unlike his
colleagues, he knew what relations the Credit
Mobilier held to the Union Pacific, and what
were the frauds which begot the 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-law's name were his property,
and held subject to his control. The commit
tee believe the course of Ames to nave been
corrupt throughout. They recommend hat
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 deliberation, for, while they desired to do
their duty to the House and country, they
were most anxious not to do injustice to any
man. In forming these conclusions they have
intended to be entirely cool and dispassionate,
not to allow themselves to be swerved by any
favor on one hand, or any feeling of
favor and sympathy on the other.
The committee submit to the House to recon-
mend the adoption of the following resolu-
tons
l. WHEREAS, Mr.. Cakes Ames, a 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
f1uence the votes and decisions of such mem
bers in mattersto be brought before Congress
for action therefore,
Resolued, That Cakes Ames be, and is here
by, expelled from his seat as a member of this
House.
II. WHEREAS, Mr.. James Brooks, a Repre-
in this House from the State of New
York, did procure the Credit Mobilier Com
pany to issue and deliver to Mr.. Charles H.
for the use and benefit of said Brooks,
fifty shares of stock of said company at a price
much below its real value, well knowing tina
the same was issued and delivered with the
intent to influence the vote and decision of
said Brooks, as a member of the House, on
matters to be brought before Congress for ac-
ton, and also to influence the action of said
Brooks as a Government Director in the Union
Pacific Railroad Company therefore,
Resolued, That Mr.. Brooks be, and is here
nv aNna1laH from his aaof az rao~,ha- 80 kL;z