The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-02-08
The Credit MobilieF Inquiry. !

Legislation by Congress; renewing LAM
grants Legislation OF the State glvinl
grants 70 the road, and testified that no
4 q dollar had been expended In procuring
such legislation, either in Congress or tn
State Legislature. Witness never ex'
pended cent for black-mailing any one
either member of Congress or a private
citizen. There was not q single roaC
across Iowa to-day worth the money l
cost to build It; witness referred to q lie
l.of subscriptions, and testified that Vim
lib. Allison took ten shares; he paid Iorhil
stock and never got penny for his ser
vices; Samuel Hooper also had stock.D
The Committee heard the testimony O
Mr.. Hooper, alter which MIR. Stevenson
undertook to re.examine Speaker Blaine
az to his former testimony. During the
examination, the Speaker upon being cat
echised in manner which seemed i'm
proper, characterized SteVenson'S con
duct as uubecoming, and said 1t was
against common decency, He added thai
lii could be shown that Stevenson had
animus against him Blaine .Tw- gg
Mr. Poland requested both to stop the
Mir. Stevenson wanted to examine the
witness in relation to the transactions OIL
Blaine, OF d private nature, but Poland
thought tho testimony had already cover
cd the points. .u,..y,r. .'.'. '.
F. Allison and GIenni w. Scofeld, were
subscribers also. The Government did
not lose much Of the land given in Iowa,
as 1t amounted TO nothing nearly, 1t beiRg
worthless. It reminded him Of the
Frenchman who had given away two
thousand dollars before breakfast, and
when asked, how he made 1t, he replied
~ have just marked my goods up.H
o. DO you know Of James @. Blaine,
OF Me-, being ssubscriberi A. I cannot
say about Mr.. Blaine; / believe he held
stock which he got from Coburn, Of Me.
Witness never had any correspondence
with Blaine about taking stock. The
members Of Congress who held stock
lbought and paid for 1t, and none was
given for corrupt purposes. The county
taxation upon the land grants held by
the Company were immense. In one
county where there are but 284 votes
they tax us on our land grant and get
$500 900; they tax US for building and sup,
porting school houses which they have
never built. In one case one Of the coun'
ties taxed US enormously for building 0
school house which man lived In,
and We had to pay his wife 500 month
for teaching her own children. Laugh.
ter. ] They catch at everything. 5a 9'-'
Judge Merrick-Is that In 1owa3
| A. Yes sir; that Is where men Of enter
prise 20. Laughter Why, Sir, 1t re-
minds me OF the Dutchman's son who
went West, and wrote to his father: dad
comu out West; the meanest men get
office here" Renewed laughter.l Wit.
ness lurther testified that the name Of Jas.
lG. Blaine did not appear on the list ol
stockholders. All that witness knew
about Blaine having stock, was what had
been testified to before this Committee
No influence was brought 10 bear or
Congtessto have the land grant. TO the
State renewed. That was . matter to
which the State was attending. Never
heard of any promise eyer being made to
any member Of Congress. u GIUWl
Hon, Samuel Hooper then testified that
the firm, of which he was . member, sub
scribed to stock in the Sioux City d Iowa
Falls Railroad.
Q. To what extent was your firm inter.
ested and what was your proportion?
MIR. Hooper replied that he had no OBJ.
lection to telling, but he could not see
why the committee wanted to inquire into
his private affairs. Witness then exhibl-
ted q statement showing the amount held
by the firm to be $l90, 100. Witness
knew that Ames and Allison held stock
in the road. The subscription was made
by partner in the firm, though not until
after consultation.
Hon. james G. Blaine was recalled and
examined by Mr.. Stevenson. L kssIBg
Q. How was the subscription Of Co
burns obtained to the Iowa Falls & Sioux
City stock
question. 80, is.Ia
Mr.. stevenson-I will ask 1t more di-
rect. Had you anything to do with the
subscriptions OF CoburnS
Mr.! Blaine-I answered that before
very frankly. John ]. Blair was here
talking the matter over with some friends,
among them being Senator Grimes. He
mentioned the subject TO me. l said ]
had no funds, or could not take any Of the
stock. l subsequently wrote to Messrs,
Coburn. They took 100000 worth,
Witness did not remember OF ever hsv'
ing had any conversation with Blair; the
subject came up in q conversation with
Senator Grimes.
Mr.. Stevenson-You have stated so In
in your former testimony have you 1t
with you? D. o. ~
Mr.. BlaIne-No; I was deprived of get.
ting 1t for several days on account Of your
retaining in It your possession, and could
not correct It. ~ .
Mr.. Stevensor-You stated in your
former testimony that you had q business
transaction with the MesSrs. Coburns.
WIN you state what these transactions
wereE ,,,. ,r... ......r..
Mr., Biaine-It the Committee thinks
that is a proper question, and so asks me
l will answer, but those transactions were
Of u private nature; however, do moi
object to stating them II the COMMITTEES
wants me to.
Judge Poland-oh, well, we have no
right 10 enquire into private business not
affecting this investigation. '"
Mr.. Stevenson now propose to cross
examine Blaine on his to:mer testimony,
Mr.. Blaine-I would like to know what
new testimony you have been bringing In
now that you wish to cross. examine me
on your knowledge Of law. e- y
| Mr. Rlainn 10 the Cnmmiitaa-I do moi