Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-01-07

Light ON . Dark Subject nc I.ast-The
Alleged Completely Of Members Of
C0nGress-TesfimOa Of Speaker
and Others.

hssnsmcs ~Oss MeNVsmOs VAkeS Aees
The injunction of secrecy having been re-
moved, we are enabled 10 give an abstract OF
late testimony ELECTED by the Congressional in
yestigating committee.
| WHAT SPEAKER BLAINE SAYS ABOUT FIT.
Speaker Blaine testified that he never owned
share Of stock, either by gift, purchase, on
otherwise. No person ever held stock for him.
He never received one cent from dividends or
otherwise. Mr.. Cakes Ames asked witness in
1e6S If he would like TO purchase some stock say
ing IL would prove good investment. Witness
think Mr.. Ames was attempting TO bride him;
was never offered stock at any other time.
TESTIMONY OF II. s. M'CoMB.
Col II. s. MeComb's testimony was to the eff
feet that he was a stockholier in the Credit Mo-
biiier company; that 3a5 shares OF Credit Mobi-
Her stock were put in the control OF Cakes AIMEE
to be given to members Of Congress; that he got
himself. The idea Of the organization was to
relieve the directors and shareholders of the
Union Pacific railroad from any individual re-
sponsibihty i'm building the road, and enabling
them to share the profits. Witness produced the
letters Of Ames heretofore published, relative
the stock; also financial statement. Witness
admitted that the endorsement on the back OF
the letter purpOrting TO show the amount re-
ceived by members of Congress and u. II. Pain
ter, of the Philadelphia Inquirer, was in his own
handwriting, but that he wrote the names at
Ames' dictation. Mr.. McComb produced, under
protest, the following additional letter:
WASHINGTON, February n, 1s6S'-You ask me
If will sell some of my Union Pacific railroad
stock. will sell some of it at par. G. NJ. OF A.
don't care to sell. 1 think Grimes may sell
part of his at $3.50. want that Sl4 600 increase
of the Credit Mobilier to sell here. We want
more friends IN this Congress, and if a man will
look into the law (and il is difficult to get them
to do il unless they have an interest To do sol he
cannot help being convinced that We should not
be interfered with. Hope to see you here or at
New York the 18th.
Yours truly, CAKES AuEs.
hoI laa. .tra.l 90:
ing Mr.. Ames to take some stock, in that the
purpose being specified. He signed the paper
under protest with the distinct understanding
that II would not interfere with his claim. This
paper transferred certain stock to MIR. Am s.
and he (NcComb) afterwards was told by Am =
that the stock had been divided among m en-
bcrs of Congress. In the first list Amos in
cluded Senator Bayard's name. He also gave
witness the names OF some who were on his list
and some who were not. Ames said he had
given stock to Messrs. Wilson of Massachusetts,
Bingham of Ohio, Speaker Coifax, AMI others.
Witness had some little doubt about
MIR. Ames Going what he said, and he said 10
him that If he was going to give stock he would
like to give some to Senators Bayard and FoW-
Ter, of Tennessee; also to James Z. Wilson and
William Ii. Allison, of Iowa Mr.. Bavard's at
tention was called to it subsequently, and lie
did not understand il, and he wrote to McCOmb
that he could not take the stock If IL confiicte
with his duty. Ames told witness that he had
arranged for parties to take stock and that all
dividends in excess OF payments woule be given
to them. Witness considered this equivalent 10
gift. Witness believed that Mr.. Brooks was
the only member of Congress who had received
stock without a fair consideration, and that
Brooks received the same through Mr.. Alleys
direction. Witness heard Mr.. Brooks pressing
Alley to let him have fifty shares, saying that be
would take care OF the democratic side OF the
House. Fifty shares were transferred to him or
his s0n-in-law, Charles NJ Nelson.
CAKES AMEs' TESTIMONY.
Cakes Ames, a member of the House of Rep
reese natives, testified that in his efforts to raise
capital and enlist friends and influence, TO
able him to carry on successfully gigantic un-
dertaking, he was ultimately compelled to AK
an extension from creditors. He had persuaded
number of persons to agree to take this stock,
and when he had applied for and got this little
very materially changed. His object, and it
was concealed from no one, in getting the stock
was TO fulfill his engagements at a time when
eeals that fact and invents another. viz: That
the stock was got for future contracts, AMI the
difference in value between the subscription
price and the market value he converts into :.
bride. Witness here entered into history OF
his connection with the Pacific railroad, ard
said at the time of the last Congressional grant
he had no interest in the matter. II was not
until persons who had undertaken it halted and
asked for aid that he and his brothers embarked
very largely There were members of Congress
enterprise thought their acts were praise
worthy and patriotic. They hoped to make
q profit, but knew the risk was enormous.
To avoid the responsibility as partners they
purchased this charter of the Credit Mobilier.
It being intended that this corporation should
be the contractor, and they, as its shareholders,
should receive the profits ON the building, The
of the Union Pacific railroad which was paid
on the building contract. When it is known
that one : OF the contracts required the actual
were the original capital of the Credit Mobilier.
all of which had been absorbed in prior coa-
structicn, the bonds lent by the land grants,
and the bonds of the company, the whole value
of which depended on ultimate success, it will
be perceived why he was seeking for associates
and assistance. They wanted capital and in
fuence; influence not on legislative action, but
on credit, goodwill, and general favor
able feeling. After explaining that the
denying that the stock was used for
the purpose Of cOlrnpting members OF Con-
gress and others, witness said when he de-
sired the stock TO enable him to fulfill previous
engagements he applied to the company for the
purpose. The committee seemed to think Du-
rant and himself were entitled to some coIsil-
Grafton, owing to the immense stake they al
ways had had i'm the enterprise. 1t was then
verbally agreed that Durant and himself should
have all the unallOtted shares To fulfill their en-
gagements. Mr.. McCOmb's statement of wit
ness avOwed purpose is simply false, and what
he did avow was a. innocent as his own subscrip-
ton in the first instance. McC. knew witness
had stated why he wanted the stock and he ilal
to one of his friends. Mr.. McComb saws witness
dictated list of names for him to write down.
1t is not true. 1t is true that he asked witness
NIo was W get tIit SUCK. ana NO DOUBT witness
mentioned the names OF some that he expected
would take it,, as he had promised to get it for
them, and had endeavored to persuade them 10
invest in it, Witness did agree to sell to several
and did actually deliver to some members VI
Congress without as much az a thought, then as
now, OF any wrong or corrupt purpose a small
amount of stock. Senator Grimes, John B.
Alley, and Samuel Hooper, of the House, were
willing to 60 in and subscribe very largely. Id
all these cases witness guaranteed them against
loss. The road was not completed till NAV,
1869, and In March 1S-, some of us had to rais,
on our private credit, several millions to enable
us to complete the work. Referring 10
McComb's testimony, witness said Mr.. Cob
fax wanted to get some stock, and is pretty con-
fdent he paid for it, thought it was never trans
ferred to him, nor can witness remember hayinf
paid to him any dividends; at the next session he
said something about that thing being on
fund was given Mrs. Senator Wilson on the
twenty fifth anniversary. Of her wedding, aud
witness was consulted about investing Ii: he
recon, mended 20 shares of this stock for s2O09
and the money was paid him, witness; song
months after Mr.. Wilson objected to the invest
ment, andYwttness felt bound from what hal
occurred to take It OF his hands and return tre
money, which he did. Senator Patterson agreed
70 buy 20 shares, and dividends wero paid him
but the stock was never transferred. Mr.. Dawes
gave witness 900 to invest, but afterwards tie
contract rQarivdo6 T. R;u~h. -. r,,--;.h II