Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-02-28

p-ob.hlv mot man on the Poland lnves-
t;ratinr Committee was fool enough to
sunpose that they could make q report which
would be universally, or even generally sat
isfactory. The matter Investigated is so e1-
tensive in its ramifcations, involves 50
many different interests, and has 50 many
phases, that general agreement is simply
impossible. So it Is no wonder that plenty
of fault is found with the report and with
its makers Some complain Of the recon-
mendation to expel anybody. Most OF the
Democrats object to the proposed expulsion
of Brooks alone, among the purchasers OF
the Credit Mobilier stock 1t is urged, In
behalf of Mr.. Ames, that his sale OF stock
to Congressman was no worse than the puf-
chase Of stock by them, and that the at
tempt to make q scapegoat of him Is IN
Just and 50 it goes. To Us, the report
seems right in spots, and wrong in others
The committee. composed of two Republi-
cans and three Democrats, were entirely
agreed, they say, in the conclusions Oh
facts upon the evidence They found
In relation to Mr.. Ames, he sold TO seE-
eral members Of Congress stock OF the
Credit Mobilier Company at par when II
was worth double that amount OF more
with the purpose and intent thereby 70 IN
huence their votes and decisions upon mat
tiers 10 come before Congress. Inc lacts
found in the report, as 10 MI brooks' S1ON
that be used the influence Of his ofhcial po-
- g
eminent director of the UnIOn PacIhc Rail
road Company. to get fifty shares OF the
Credit M0bilier Company at par, when II
was worth three or four times that sun,
knowing that it was given TO him with IN
tent 10 influence his vote and decision II
Congress ard his action as government
director.
Having found these facts, We do not see
how the committee could have done less
than recommend severe punishment-and
for such ofences. expulsion Is none too
severe.
A. 10 the other purchasers or acceptors OF
Credit Mobilier stock, Kelley, Garfield, Seho-
field. Dawes. Bingham, etc, the report
says
The ONLY criticism the committee feel
compelled T. make on the action OF these
members In taking this stock, Is that they
were not sufficiently careful IN ascertalnlng
what they were getting The
committee find nothing in the conduct OF
motives of eithe of these members IN taxing
this stock that calls Cor any TecOmmenda-
ti0n by the con imittee.
This portion Of the report seems to Us
quite inadeg The committee might al
least have expressed squarely their opinion
Of the practice Of secondhand and secret
ownership Of stock, by Legislators, in com
pany asking legislation or interested in de-
feating Legislation. giving also. of course,
to those who backed ont when they dis
covered tho suspicious character Of the in
yestment. due credit for their scruples.
A. Mess;r,. Patterson and Colfax were not
members Of the House. the committee, Of
course. were not called on 10 chs racterize
their course.
The great trouble with the whole affair.
as il seems 10 IL. j. that after all Is done
that could be in the case, the worst rogues
in Congress 90 untouct ed. The men at
feeted by this Investigation are not the cor
rupt members Of Congress. Every man
acquainted with the composition Of Con
gress can name men WI ON he believes 10 be
far more venal. unscru pulous and corropt,
than any man named In this report.
And it seems bard that such should be
punished. when the scoundrels 60 m
whipped of justice.