New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-03-26
EX-SENATOR PATTERsoNs DEFENSE.


HE SAYS THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE SENATE CREDIT
MoBuIER COMMITTEE ARE MERE CONJECTURE
WITHOUT AND AGAINST PRooF-HE IS A MARTYR
OF sUPERFLUoUs AGTrATIoN-A VICTIM OF
SENSATIONAL PARAGRAPHS IN THE NEWSPAPERS
GBY TELEGRAPH TO TRIBUNE.l
WASHINGTON, March 25-Ex-SenatOr Patterson,
in his observations the report Of the Committee
of the Senate of the United States respecting the
Credit Moblier of America which he desires to have
printed in The Congressional Record, after recitlng
the circumstances that prevented the consideration
of that report last session. and dscaiming any IN
tention to mpugn the motives of the Committee but
only their conclusions, says:
The very atmosphere they breathed during this inyes-
tigaton was of passion and Of error. They we're
borne along in the OF vuperaton and msrepre
sentation which seemed for while TO oyerwhelm the
better Of both Houses Congress- IL is In the
midst of such circumstances that they have arrived at
conclusions demonstraby erroneous rely implicitly on
the candor and character OF
and of all OF them TO listen patiently ana without OIL
Tense TO criticism OF their report far the may
be necessary 10 relieve from the heavy imputatons
which they have cast a Senator and man, Ar
they themselves would desire be heard IT, which God
forbid the mischances of political life should ever in
volve either of them IN unjust accusation.
Mr. Patterson then quotes the paragraph in which
the Committee sum up the evidence against HIM,
and after asserting that their ncupatory statement
is inaccurate to the last degree stating things which
are absolutely contrary TO the proofs setting forth
differences as facts although they not supported by
the facts, exaggeratng facts, imputing knowledge
of wrongful purposes the part of Others without
proof charging action under corrupt influences not
proved and contradicted by the evidence, and mag
nfying forgetfuness of of the details OF trans
action long past into affirmative or negative false
statement of facts proceeds to examine the several
PROPOSITIONS which the Committees summary con-
tains.
First: He denies that he contracted" for the pur-
chase of c. NJ. stock as the Committee report. Mem
beers of the House contracted for it and paid for
il out of the dividends. He paid cash forhis stock
Members of the House received guaranty of value
or contract of reimbursement at will with interest
His purchase was without any such agreement. He
defends his action by arguing that this transaction
was rightful correct and proper his part lawful
in itself and in respect In conflict with hs dutes
as Senator. On this point he says:
appeal TO Senators put themselves under investi
CATION in this respect Is there single member Of the
Senate who during these four year,, has NOT bought
and sold interest either In some national railway or III
some national bank in national insurance com
pany OF in some fraction OF the public domain or in
some mines situated the line OF some ma
highway,
ter what, appertanIng TO the United States. sub
ject 10 I be treated III Congress Have they not
purchased property the District OF Columbia the Vane
of which depends Congress, aud how many Of these
Senators are there, rather how few who not ln
teyesed In any zeal property, any iron property OF
any foreign merchandise any shipping propertySr
any manufacturing property. or any agricultural prop
erty such live stock, tobacco hemp, WOOL whealer
any material substance thing whatsoever, WHICH -
liable TO be seized Upon for external duty internal
not ted changed value by the omnivorous jaws oi
the tar pawer OF the United Statesf Is not many Sen
ator OF securities Of the United States which
rise aud fall according 10 the daily votes OF Congress-
MAY We not look these Senators and hnd the
interests OF millions yon millions which or may be
affected by the legislation OF ConRressi
Second. He denies that he purchased the stock,
as the Committee say. "at rates greatly below its
esteemed yalue.' His transaction was made in
August, 1867, when the stock at par. and the
$4,000 he paid represented the actual valne of the
stock at that time.
Third: He denies that there was anything wrong
IN dealing with Mr. Ames, in 1859, in the stock and
bonds of the Union Pacific Railroad for the purpose
Of pro6t and Of disposng Of them IN the stock mar
kets of New-York. and calls attention to the fact
that the large amount referred TO by the Commit
toe was $4,000.
Fo,.-th !: He denies that he had any knowledge at
the time that there ANYTHING peculiar objec-
tionabe in the character of the Credit Mobiler, or
that the testimony taken by both Houses of Congress
proves anything of the kind .lI..
Fin: He denies that he had any exact knowledge
of the relations of the Credit Mober to the Union
Pacific Railroad Company. and adds: 1t is impos-
sible not TO see that the Committee are forcing con-
,usous not upon any facts of notoriety existing IN
1867. but upon the investigations OF the late Con-
gress.7
Srth: He denies that he bad any such knowledge
at the time he purchased his stock az could induce
hin, N suspect Mr. Ames of any improper relation to
tbe Crfdit Mobilier and Union Pacific Railroad Com
panies. - -
S,su,A , Mr.. Patterson quotes tho follewins san