Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-01-18
Credit Mobilier Investigation.

The Wilson select investigating committee
met at IL 80.
Mr.. Perry, counsel employed by the gov
ernment, took his seat.
The chairman said that he had received
from the secretary of the interior the report
Of the government commissioners, in which
the Wyoming coal contract is discussed and
also the names Of the government directors
of the Union Pacific railroad, from its organ
ization to the present time.
| The examination Of Thos. c. Durant was
resumed He said that 800 shares of the
stock assigned to Ames by the credit mobiler
was to carry out existing contracts. No
| names were given of those to whom the stock
was to be delivered 1t was his purpose to
ascertain in the suit commenced against Ames
how much Of the stock he now held. All the
stock held by Ames drew dividends. The
books showing the precise expenditures and
profits were in the hands of Oliver Ames.
Mr.. Perry also took part in the examina.
| ton.
Mr.. Durant said it was one of the require
ments of the organization that statements of
dividend should be made out. Could not call
to mind any member of Congress employed
os counsel. He himself employed Mr.
Jenckes in suit in Rhode Island. Did not
know whether Mr.. Jenckes was member of
Mr.. Allen at the stockholders meeting in Oct.
1867. In answer to a question witness said
the books would show when the dividends
were distributed. He again told the story of
aiding Senator Harlan's election. The wit
ness was Intercepted at length as to the pay
ment of general expenses of the company by
him, for which he gave vouchers. Some of
the money was paid to the counsel. J. B.
Stewart of Washington got $4,000 and Alex.
ander $4,000 to 100000. They were en-
ployed making arrangements with the Union
Pacific and Leavenworth Pawnee railroads
and settling other disputed matters. They
were not authorized to use one dollar to in
fiuence legislation directly or indirectly.
Witness gave the money to Stewart and Hay
to pay over to Pearson who was pecuniarily
interested in the Leavenworth & Pawnee
railroad and they gave witness vouchers or
receipts. He presumed that Stewart and
Hay could explain better than he could.
During the examination witness said that
Cakes Ames asked him about the items of
the accounts. Witness said to Ames "What
do you want with the accounts, they have
been examined by the board previously ap.
pointed and passed upon officially and paid"
Ames replied II want to see whether airy
money has been paid to members of Con-
gress." Witness asked 'Why do you want
pay it back if they don't go straiy ht."
By Mr. Swann.-What did he mean by not
going straight?
Answer suppose the remark was jocu-
larry made.
The chairman asked whether witness had
any knowledge, information or belief that the
two checks sent to Senator Harlan was en-
braced in one of the accounts of the organi-
cation:
The witness replied that the matter was
known by that he had given these checks.
lie was asked question concerning them,
he replied that it was his own private affairs.
he accounted for the moneys expended
through him by vouchers, receipts or drafts.
the expenditure of money by Stewart and
Hay. He did not believe that one dollar was
spent to influence or secure legislation.
Mr.. Shellabarger. did they satisfy you
that. all their expenditures were legtimate3
Answer.-I thought so, but l have been
credulous sometimes.
Questionable they present such papers
or vouchers to show that the money was le-
ultimately expended and not to influence leg
islaton?
Answer was,satisfed at that time that
the expenditure was legitimate.
BY Mr.. Shellabarger.-Didy you ever come
" w isHIhStou Nitii bIoohS III OEOek
to have him appointed government director
of the Union Pacific railroad?
Answer.-I did not.
Question by the chairman.-Do you know
Onero j. Poppleton of Nebraska?
Answer do.
Questionable you not know that Popple-
ton was candidate for member of Congress
against the present member, Mr.. Taffe?
Answer.-I do not. Poppleton was in the
employ of the Union Pacific railroad COM
pany between 1864 and 1869, looking after its
lands.
In further examination witness said that the
credit mobilier gave Ames contract for
building 23s miles of railroad at cost to
the railroad company of between and 5000,
900 dollars more than the actual cost of that
portion of the road, which had already been
built, paid for and accepted by the govern
ment
The chairman asked if it was not the fact
that the difference between the cost of 23S
miles of road and the amount for which it
was let under the Cakes Ames contract con-
stituted the assets of which dividends were
declared to the stockholders of the credit
~