Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-07-09

Mr.. COlfaX's Case.
We know that any facts which would
tend to vindicatc the reputation Of Schuyler
Colax from bis alleged connection with the
Credit Mobilier swindle, and participation
in its corrupt dividends, would be hailed
with Joy by the great mass Of the people
Of the country 1t will be remembered
that these charges against Mr. Colfax re-
cciyed their chief support from evidence
that one Of Mr. Ames' checks, for 81 200,
on the Sergcant.at-Arms, made payable to
s. c. or bearer lad been paid to Mr..
Colfax. This Mr.. Ames' swore TO, and,
in spite Of the vehement and persistent de-
NAL Of this story by Mr. ColIax, it was
generally accepted as truth throughout the
country.
The latest attempt to discredit this state
mout comes from Capt John r Drew, form
erly Of this village, and now Of the firm
Of Drew, Bliss & Holmes, lawyers in
Washington, who writes letter to Judge
Poland, the substance Of which is as fol-
lows:
During the summer Of 1868 he was at
tending TO several matters before Congress,
in one Of which he was especially DESTROYS
Of enlisiing the Massachusetts, members.
He called on Mr.. Ames at the House sew
cra times during the month Of June. On
one occasion he found Mr.. Ames in CONVEX.
sation with a gentleman in the corridor in
the rear Of the speakers chair, and near
the door, in close proximity to which was
Mr.. Ames seat. lie awaited the conclu-
sion Of the conversation, Of which he heard
only an occasional word, from which he
concluded that it referred to certain cottor
cases at New Orleans in which Mr.. Amei
was then interested. Before Mr.. Anne,
turned his attention to Mr.. Drew he re-
marked to the first gentleman, " wait &
moment" aud then passed into the cham
Der to his desk, reappcaring very soon will
piece Of paper in his hand, when Mr.
Drew Joined him and they walked togethe
into the room Of the Sergeant-at-Arms, ant
stood FOR some moments in conversation a
the cashiers desk. Daring this conference
Mr.. Amos rested one arm on the desk ant
kept running the check through his finger
in such a manner that its face was clearl
before Mr., Drew, who could not help nc
ticing its purport There was noihin
about it calculated to make any impression
upon Mr.. Drew, except the fact that it wa
payable to the initials, IS. c., or bearer,
which naturally impressed him as littl
mysterious, and temporarily excited his Gu
riosity. The check was presented and pal
to Mr.. Ames by the cashier. Mr.. Dre'
did not observe the denomination Of the bill
except that the one on top was for $500
The two then walked out Of the room int
the lobby, when Mr. Ames handed the none
to the gentleman with whom he had prev
ously been in conversation. Mr.. Drew at tina
time was in the habit of keeping a diar
and noting down his daily transactions an
interviews. When he returned from Eu
rope he mentioned these facts to one or tw
persons, aud said be was confident his diar
= woald fix the date Of his several interview
with Mr.. Ames. When he subseqdentl
obtained access to his books and papers, b
found in his diary for 1868 two entries {
interviews with Cakes Ames june 20, an
%, 1868. II was, Mr. Drew says, on on
or the other Of these days that he saw tn
check. 1t will be remembered that th
check was dated j une 20, 1868. 1t is III
D ierstood that Mr.. Drew is ready to supper
! his statement under oath, if required. Tn
! testimony confirms cashier Dillon's Ieco
lection that he paid the check to Mr.. Amc
in large bills, and also supports the evidenc
Of all the gentlemen to whom initial CHECK
were said to have been given, that the
never saw them.
I This statement of Captain Drew is mi
y terially weakened by the fact, which no
e comes out, that he was not only in th
e country during the excitement of the tria
but that he has also had personal iute
views with the chairman Of the inyestiga
e ing committee since the close Of the sessio
n during which he made no allusion to Il
facts which he now brings to light.