New-York tribune., 1873-01-23
proper use. and eject from ofilco the man who
abuses them.
MR. OAKRS MESS RECOVERY.


Mr.. Oakes Ames has refreshed his memory.
He has also found his memorandum book.
Both these acquisitions have carried conster-
nation into the hearts OF several timid Con-
gIessmen. Mr.. COlfax seemed to have been
the first immediate sufferer by Mr.. Ames's recOv-
cry and determination to tell the whole truth.
Mr.. Ames steadfasty maintains that Mr.. Col
fax bought 20 shares of Credit Mobiier stock ;
| that he still owns that stock that the $500
which Mr.. COlfax says he paid and lost was
1894 70 and was payment of interest due
from Colfax to Ames on the money which
the latter had used to buy the stock for the
Vice President. Furthermore, Ames swears
that he paid Mr.. Colfax $1,000 dividends on
Credit Mobilier stock, at one time; and he
produces the memoranda to prove it, This Is
dreadful business; and the worst of it is that
Ames sticks to his statement. He acknowl-
edges that he let Mr.. COlfax run on un-
checked in his xplanatiOn-because he did
not like to contradict him. But as to his
version of the matter he is as firm as Plymouth
Rock. Senator elect Allison is another man
who seems affected by the revival of
Mr.. Ames's memory. In his case the fateful
memorandum book also cuts figure. The
amount of it all is that Mr.. Allison bought
10 shares of Credit M0bilier stock,
but when the sky grew cloudy and
people began to whisper their suspicious, he
sent back the stock to Mr.. Ames in an
envelope which was mailed at Dubuque in
March. 1872. CrOss-questioned, Mr.. Ames
admits that he considered the ten shares
of Mr.. Allison only temporarily trans
ferred to him until the trouble should
L" blow over" He never paid for
them but he did toss out five-cent piece as
a nominal equivalent, so that he could con-
summate constructive purchase. This Is
about the sum and substance of the voluminous
and very curious testimony which we print
to-day.
The other Congressman fare better in the
new phase of affairs. Mr.. Ames thinks that in
two cases at least-thOse of Messrs Kelley and
Garfeld-the sums which those gentlemen
call loans were really dividends on
their stock But he grows confused
as he proceeds and his old treachery of
memory returns upon him and he gets some
what muddled. 1t is apparent, however,
that there is an irrepressible conflict
between Mr.. Ames's memory and that of
Mr.. Colfax. MIR. Allisons difficulty is
rather one of misunderstanding possibly it
is susceptible of explanation. The whole evil
dence as it stands, is discreditable and dsas-
trous There is something more than misun-
derstanding here. If Mr.. Ames paid divi-
dend of $1,000, as he says he did,
to Mr.. Colfax, it is hardly credible
that that gentleman could have so
soon forgotten he ever received it. On
the other hand, if Mr.. Ames did not pay that
amount his clear and positive statement that
he did is a falsehood; for no respectfully cor
rect business man could commit such an enor-
nous blunder. The case about Mr.. Col
fax is made more striking by the
exactness of the figures which occur In
what Mr.. Ames calls an interest ac-
count. Mr.. COlfax says $500 were paid !;
Mr.. Ames, with business-like particularly,
says S594 70 were paid, and paid as interest
on the purchase-money of Mr.. Colfaxs
stock. We leave this irrecOncilable differ
ence in the statements of Messrs. Ames and
Colfax with the single remark that Mr.. COfax
seems to be defendant in the case, testifying
in his own behalf and Mr.. Ames appears an
unwilling witness. without interest in the con-
viction of any man.