Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1873-02-26
simple SeoneSd.

II has been seen from the memoran-
dun book of Oahes Ames that the dis
tinguished Pennsylvania Republican
went into the Credit Mobilier "biggcl
than an Indian" When Scoield was
OH the Republican ticket for congress
at large last year in association with
Charles Albright, the champion boun'
ty jumper, there was a certain degree
OF commiseration for him which was
not diminished when the returns
showed that Albright was several hun
dred votes ahead Of him. Notwith-
standing his long experience in the
Pennsylvania legislature and the jobs
with which he necessarily became
familiar, Scofeld's simplicity was SO
great that he fell without struggle
into the trap Of that corrupter Of con-
grcssional morals. 0akcs Amcs. 1t
was when they were walking down
Pennsylvania Avenue Amcs said that
the Credit Mobilicr was Pennsyl-
vania corporation and that ho would
like TO havo some Pennsylvania to
take an interest in the enterprise. -
Tho State pride Of our noble Pennsyl-
vanian was aroused. Ho would be
immensely delighted to take an inter.
est in anything emanating from the
legislature Of his State, from an act
of incorporation 10 a United States
Scnatorship. So down he went on
the Credit Mobiicr subscription list
for twenty shares So confding was
he that be made Oakes Amcs his trus-
too, and drew his dividends with praise
worthy regularity. When no discov-
ored that his lofty State pride was re-
warded by the possession of so much
wealth in Credit Mobilier shares and
Union Pacific stocks, for which hc had
never advanced n dollar, be did not
angrily and Indignantly, like Kelley,
tho great champion of Pennsylvania
pig iron, throw up lis stocks as n con-
tribution TO the conscience fund, but
kept them as enduring certificates OF
his merits as II representative.
But this is not the most striking
proof Of the simplicity of the dislin-
guished member from the northwest,
and of his total unftness TO run at
large when such providers as Oakes
Ames and John B. Alley are search
ing for prey. When on his stumping
tour last year he addressed mass
meeting in the town Of Mercer. The
story of the Credit Mobilier had but
recently made its appearance in the
newspapers, and Mr.. Scofeld, in that
innocence and simplicity so becoming
to his character, embraced the oppor-
tunity to explain. In The course OF
his speech he explicitly and emphati-
cally denied that he owned II dollar of
the stock Of the Credit Mobilier. He
not only had no interest, but he dc
MED all knowledge of the corporation
As proof of tho extent Of his ignor-
snce he said that when he heard tho
words Credit Mobilier he was com
PEELED to ask their meaning of friend
who was familiar with the French
language 1t could not therefore be
imagined that he would take any
shares in French company the very
name Of which he did not understand.
Could anything be moro charming
than the artlcssness and simplicity oil
this explanation There is fresh
ness about il moro becoming Warren
county milk maid than hirsute men,
Der Of congress. The assembled citi-
zens of Mercer county were perfectly
satisfied with the explanation. Many
went away filed with remorsc for
having ever harbored an unjust suspic.
ion of so worthy and proper repre-
sentative. But the case of Scohcld
shows that member OF congress may
not understand the French OF Credit
Mobilicr and ye. be skilled in the art
of mobiizing its shares If seoncid
has the misfortune Of not being able
to talk French that is no reason why
he should not be taught to "walk
Spanish. ."-Harrisburg Patriot.