The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1873-01-25
Credit M0hiEer


The intelligence Of our readers will enable
them to remember that the Credit Mobiler scan
dal was originated BY the New York Tribune
during the late Presidential campaign. The FIRST
charge made was that Hon. James G.. Blaine,
Speaker of the House of Representatives, had been
presented with ST, s2o, 900 worth of the Credit
Mooiler stock and that 1t was done in order to
secure Mr.. Baine's influence in procuring legisla-
ton oy Congress in favor of the company in pro-
curing charter, alleging that Mr.. Blaine was
Speaker Of the House at that time. 1t turned
out that Mr.. Blaine never owned dollars worth
Of the stock either BY present or purchase, that
ne was not Speaker of the House and not even
member of Congress at the time.
The evident object of the charge was to make
capital for the Greeley movement by securing, If
possible, the defeat Of Mr.. Blaine in the Maine
election in September. 1t was asserted by a prom
inent Greeley organ that it would be an inval-
liable prestige to the Greeley party to defeat the
popular Speaker in the House of Representatives.
But this was significant failure.
Having made the charge, the Greeley organs
heralded it around the country and, after Mr.
Blaines election, placed it upon other prominent
members OF Congress. They stuck to this with
a wonderful pertenacity. 1t having become
matter of universal comment, prominent mem
bers moved in the House in December the ap-
pointment of committee to investigate the ma
lignant scandal. That committee is composed
of two Republicans, two Democrats % and one
Greeley man. tsits with open doors. Nothing
| is secret.
Among the charges that became the current
stock of Greeley politicians during the campaign
was one involving the integrity of Hon. Schuy-
Ter Colfax, our distinguished Vice President
The investigation has shown that Mr.. Cofax
agreed to take some of the stock, that he paid
$500 on 1t to Mr.. Oakes Ames, that when he dis
covered the condition of affairs and the probable
game that was being played by those maneu-
vering with the stock, he declined taking it and
lost his $500 advanced. This is rather novel
way of bribing man. 1t is certainly one that
will not be calculated to take with those who
are on the lookout for the perquisites in legisla
ton.
| Hon. Henry Wilson, Vice President elect and
Senator Patterson, Representatives G. W. Sco-
field and VIM. D. Kelley of Pennsylvania have
been before the committee and given their testi,
mony concerning their transactions with Mr.
Ames in the stock.
Senator Wilson said his wife had been presen-
ted, on the anniversary of their silver wedding,
with s., 800. With portion of thismoney Credit
Mobiler stock was purchased at the suggestion
of Mr.. Ames. Mr.. Wilson inquired at the time
if the company would not be likely to want leg
islation, stating that if this were the case he
would not take the stock as be made it a rule
never to have a dollars worth of stock in any
road wanting legislation. Mr.. Ames replied in
the negative. Some time after that Mr.. Wilson
learned that there were some difficulties about
the concern and appealed to Mr.. Ames to keep
his promise and refund the money. This was
done, Mr.. Wilson having received no benefit
from it,
Senator Patterson agreed 10 take stock, but
before concentrating the arrangement he learn
ed that it would be unwise to do so, and informed
Ames of his declination to purchase.
Mr.. Sco6eld agreed also to take stock but, like
Mr.. Patterson, declined before the arrangements
were consummated.
Judge Kelley of Pennsylvania said he had
agreed to take stock but never did it. He never
saw any of it. He borrowed money on one or
two occasions from Mr.. Ames, but the latter never
4
This investigation is taking up time that
should be devoted to necessary legislation and is
depicting the treasury of money that should be
applied to some other purpose. The response
bility for all of which rests upon those who ORR
ginated and circulated the infamous scandal.