, 1873-01-30
SCHUYLER CDLFAX,

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SCHUYLER CoLFAx.
In whatever view may DO taken, Mr. Colfax Ia
ono OF tho moRt unfortunate mon to-day III pub
lie life. Tho sorios Of developments concerning
liH relations to tho Credit Mobi1lor, though cir
cumRtantial, lavo beon 80 consecutive that tho
public can no longor hesitate to throw upon him
ti4u Duauou UT lluyiLg uln 1llucullcv. II WAl uv
remembered that h1r. Co1fax proforred not to
tako any activo part In the lnto Presidential cum
paign. Ills position as Yico President OF tho
United stateH, and hia purpose Of retiring from
public llfc, gave him m oxcltao for not engaging
in campaign in which ho had little personal
interest. He emerged from Lis retirement on only
two or threo occasions during the entire can-
vaaH. Ono Of theso waH for the purpose OF
answering tho charge made against him and
othora Of having taken Credit Alobilor Stock,
based upon tho list which Oakca AmoB fur
niH1lod bl'Comb. There wore two notable
fonturoa about Mr.. Colfax's speech at that tinlo
First, llo made tho most explicit denial Of oyer
having purchased Credit Mobilier stock, Mt any
time, or at any prico. Secondly, ho wng severe
in the extreme upon The CHICAGO TRIBUNE for
publisling his na1no In tho list Of those named
by Amos, but had not ono word to say against
AmeB himself. After tho opening Of tho Con-
groasioual investigation, Mr.. Coliax admitted
TINT he had purchased Credit klobilior Stock
which had boon paid for by acerucd dividends
With the exception Of a53o, Which no paid III
money to Mr.. Oakes Amos Though
hc claimed that he subsequently told Amoa he
did not want tho stock, he never demanded
nor received buck the $3.50 Which lo had paid.
With any possible construction that could bo
placed upon this transaction, 1t was impossible
not to conclude that hlr. Colfax'a explicit denial
during the campaign VIVA not sustained, and It
became evident why he preferred to reproyo
to account. Up to this time, towovor, a large
majority of tho people Of all political sentiments
preferred to boloyo TINT some satisfactory ex-
PLANTATION Of Mr. Colfa1'a rotations with Credit
Mobilier would DO made, and none othor Of tho
| gentlemen who wero concerned in the Oakcs
Ames transactions received 30 much charitable
| troatment at tho hands Of tho press. Then carne
LII. Amcs' supplementary statement that ho had
issued 31r Co1fax m additional check of 81 200,
| In pnymont Of dividonds but, when Mr. Colfax
nerer received tho money, public sentiment still
soomed to bo on his side. Tho check payable
| to rs. c." or bearor vas Forthcoming from tho
! sorgeant-at-Arma, who paid it. Still, Mr.. Col
fax declared on oath that 10 had never aeon it,
| md Htated, in confirmation Of his own Testimony,
that ho could not have added such All amount Of
money to his income without knowing It,
I Finally tho Cashier Of tho bank whore Alr
| sum Of $1,000 in money had been deposited
about the samo timo, the deposit tickot being iu
A1r. Colfa1's handwriting A1nes gavo tho 81 ZOO
cllecl ono day ; the 6orgoaut-at-Arma paid it tho
day following tho enme amount Of money was
deposited the noxt day by 1lr, coltax himself.
It ia not possible to recall this chain Of circum-
stances without sharing in the general feeling Of
rogret that it has not been explained. The very
same sentiment Of regret nud pity soems natur-
ally to actunto tho treatment Of thia subject ag
if an able, honorable, and valued stategman lad
boen stricken by Homo personal calamity. No
1nan In American politics has ever had smooth
er or pleasantor career Of B,1cccss than Schuyler
| Colfax. He was admired md trusted generally
without reference to political differences. IIo
was member Of tho Thirty Fourth and oyory
successive CongreHH, including tho Fortietl,.
Ho never had any severe political Htruggos to
| maintain haposition, aud encountered fow Of tho
epithots and disgracoful charges which arc tho
usual acoompanimonts Of political canvaasoH.
1Io wae chosen spoa]or Of tho Thirty-oighth
Congress, and was t,rco reelected to the same
position. Then le was nominated for t1to Vico
Presidency by lia party, aud triumphantly
elected. His experience as Speaker Of tho
Houao enabled linn to preside over the Senate
with casc, dignity, and ollicionoy. His pleasant
nlannor, Which was rarely disturbed, made him a
general fayorito. Tho country will be panied
beyond measure should nothing DO done TO re-
move THU accumulated testimony TINT stanla
against him.
| -:e-H-"- .:..'.-....1-.
|. THE CITY POLICE.