The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1873-01-30
Washington Correspondence.

"Aslsep in Jesus, blessed sleep"
Washington Correspondence.
WASHINGTON, Jan. rs, 1873.
CREDIT MOBILIER.
One week ago, after the Congressman
charged with being implicated in Credit
Mobilier transactions, had come forward to
the Poland Investigating Committee and
told their little stories rs to the manner in
which they were tempted BY the Congress
sioual NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., and how,
like virtuous little gentlemen, they said to
him on reflection, get thee behind me, Me-
phisto, it seemed as if they we're badly
used set of innocents, Mr.. Brooks and
Demi.John A. Bingham alone facing the
music and avowing their transactions in the
Credit Mobilier stock Now, however, the
scene has changed, for Ames, for reasons Of
his own, determined to no longer be scape
goat. and he has pricked the Congressional
bubbles that were so de1terously blown, and
and general collapse has been the result
Blaine, Senators Wilson and Dawes appear
to be the only ones not siDged with the Mo-
bilier fame. Yesterdays examination Of
Ames was most damaging to Pig Iron"
Kelley and Vice President Colfax. Kelley
found upon cross questioning Ames, after
denying that he owned any stock, that he
(Ames) had ten shares Credit Mobilier, and
forty or fifty shares of Union Pacific stock
for him, which he requested to be handed
to the chairman subject to his order. Pig
Irons impecuniosity will prompt him to use
it. now that the truth has come out. Col
fax came out Of his cross-examination of
Ames badly scorched When Colfax asked
mes why he had not CROSSE questioned him
about the check for $532 which he (Ames)
alleges he paid him when he gave in his tes
mony, Ames whined out that he did not
want to bring it out, wanted to let him off as
easy as possible; was in hopes it would not
come out. After long examination at the
hands of Colfax, Ames said that he had re-
freshed his memory from his books and the
books of the sergeant-atarms; he rendered
it all now; had vouchers, and did not think
Colfax could swear hard enough to get out
of it. The public and the press believe the
statements made by Ames, because the cir
cunstantal evidence is all in his favor Such
defective memories as this investigation has
developed. never was known before. Trans
actions involving stock and money to the
amount of thousands of dollars cannot be
recollected. Judge Pola ID, the chairman
of the Committee said yesterday, that there
has either been great difference of recol
lection, or some very extraordinary tamper-
ing with the truth" He believes in the
right of Congressman to buy Credit Mobilier
as well as any other kind of stock, but OBJ
jects "that they don't come out like men and
own up what they have done; instead of
that, they come whimpering around the
committee, trying to wriggle out Of. it" Of
course, they don't feel like owning up. their
conscience. or rather their judgment, tells
them that they have done wrong, hence their
wriggling and short romances that Ames is
correcting before publication The Credit
Mobilier sensation takes precedence of eve
~ thing else Opinions are very different
as to what the result will be. Some think
that there will be members expelled do
not think so. The hope of the implicated
ones is that the investigation will drag on
To the end of the session. and so blow over.
The Wilson committee have subpenied
number of prominent railroad men in order
TO find out what disposition was made of the
s126.000 which, according to Mr. Rollins
testimony was distributed in Washington at
the time the bill was passed instructing the
Treasury Department to pay the full interest
of the Pacific Railroad bonds The news.
paper men have been charged as having re-
ceived some Of this cash. which soft impeach-
ment all newspaper row denies. and the press
gang are very anxious to know who are the
gentlemen who profess to control the news
paper people.
THE COTTON BILL.
The Ways and Means Committee are con-
sidering the bill for refunding the tax COL
lected on cotton in the years 1S65-'66-67
This measure meets with the earnest and
cordial support of every Southern member
Of Congress, and the memorial presented by
the,a to Congressman has created remark
able feeling in its favor The only point Of
difference among the friends of the measure
was. that some thought the bill did not make
sufficient provision for the return of the tax
10 those from whom it was collected by the
Government. This objection has been en-
:ircly removed, by the bill being so amend
ID, that the interests of the planters and
are carefully secured in having |
he tax paid oy them, returned. Mr.. Beck
yesterday presented his bill to the commit
zee, which singularly enough, provides for
repeal of two.thirds OF the cotton tax The |
mpolicy of imposing this tax is universally |
its unconstitutionaity generally
30, and why in the name of equity and jus
lice wrong should only be two-thirds reme-
died, | cannot sce Either the tax was right
and the claim il n frand or the tax uas