Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-01-24
The Credit MobIlIer Investigation,


Mr.. Dawes was sworn before the Commit,
tee on the 18th, and submitted writer
statement. He says he never was the own9
of any Credit-Mobilier stock; he agreed ID
take ten shares of stock, but the agreemen
was rescinded before the stock was tranl-
ferred.
w. Hastings sent letter to the Comml-
tee, proposing to show that q large sharr-
holder in the Union Pacific Railroad, ard
also the Credit-Mobilier, testified In Cal.
fornia Court that he, said shareholder, hh
used the money and stock OF the Untn
Pacific Road and of the Credit-Mobilier, 20
bribe Congressman, to inaugurate inhuenG,
and to carry through, by bribery and corrp-
ton, legislation in the interest OF raiiroaes.
Charles II. Nelson, son.in.law OF jams
Brooks, produced his certificates Of stocl1in
the Credit. .Mobilier, the first certificate le-
ing for 100 shares, dated December 20, 1871,
and the second for 50 shares, dated Fib-
ruary 20, 1868. He testified that Brooks
had no interest in the stocks further than
that he had advanced the money to p1r-
chase portion Of them, and had securedto
the witness the chance to obtain them, ay-
ing he did not care to hold the shares HIM
self.
James A. Garfield testified before the
Committee on the 14th TO the effect that he
had no knowledge of any dealings between
Ames and any Congressman; told Ames he
wouldn't have any stock where conro-
versy existed; derived his knowledge OF the
Credit.Mobiller from Mr.. Train; Ames never
tried to influence his legislative acti,n;
never saw a share of the Credit -Mobier
until shown him few days since by
Brooks; once borrowed $500 OF Ames md
returned 1t.
Benjamin F. Ham, Treasurer of the Credit
Msbilier, testified that Nelson's name
appeared on the books as the holder Of l50
ch M nf RrnnEa having m u
thing to do with the shares. Ham produced
several books OF the Company, and laid
others had been sent on bv express; the
stock transfer book had disappeared, AMI he
did not know what had become oft; hehad
not destroyed II.
Thomas c. Durant testified that he was
Director OF the Union Pacific Railroad till
1869; was President of the Credit Mohlier
Company, and one of the trustees to whom
the Ames contract was assigned; has certi-
fed copies OF the books; signed paper to
distribute some stock on hand; the sock
was transferred to the witness to enable
him to fulfill prior engagement; did
not know to whom Ames was to
transfer the stock; Ames- said he had an
engagement to deliver some to Mr.. Cofax;
thinks other Congressman were also men
toned, and 1t made an impression on lin,
as he believed Ames gave the names, ant In
tended keeping the stock himself; nsyer
conversed with Nelson; had bueirese
transaction with James Brooks, but 1t had
7 o reference to Brooks being Congress
man; Brooks desired some stock, and wit
ness arranged tn let Brooks have 100 shares
OF Credit Mobilier with 10000 worth OF
Union Pacific stock and first mortgage
bonds. Brooks, being Government Di-
rector, did not want to hold the stock, a1d
therefore had it transferred to Nelson |;
knew nothing about the fifty shares at-
ditional stock received by Nelson.
T. C. Durapt testified further on the 18th
to the effect that the shares given to James
Brooks were the result of special sTee-
ment with him in 1867. Brooks claimed
more than 100 shares, and he compromised
in Union Pacific stock and bonds. He(Du-
rant) had no knowledge of Congressme In
flnenced by the Credit Mobilier. He rever
arranged to give any Congressmen sock,
except in case Of Boyer, Of Pennsylvnia.
and Brooks. He gave two checks Of . 600
each to secure the election of Senator Har.
Ian, of Iowa. Harlan was an old PERSONAL
friend. The witness thought he wouldtake
care OF the interests Of the road.
Mr.. Bushnell testified that when the
Credit -Mobilier got ashore, Ames Weit 10
his friends, in Congress and out OF Con-
gress, to get them to take stock. He
thought there was a want Of moral courage
on the part of certain men, who did agree
| to take stock, but now would not stand up
and say they agreed to take 1t. The wit
ness never offered any stock to any membel
| OF Congress. 1t was the understanding thai
| Ames got large amount of stock to enable
| him to fulfill engagements which he had en-
| tered into previously. He felt, as Ames haC
expressed 1t in one fhis letters, that II the.
went back on the Congressmen after th'
stock had gone up, when 1t had been prom
| ised them, then when Is was down Con
gressmen would go back on them.
Representative Scofeld stated before tn
Committed on the 10th, that he had tnke'
| some OF Ames' railroad securities; he knew
nothing of Ames' deriving Congreseiona
aid; had voted against the act of 1854, Civ
ing the Company's mortgages priority; moth
ing was said about legislation.
Senator Paterson testified that n
never owned a penny's worth Of Credit
Mobilier, although he would have done 81
at one time II he had had the money. Sub
sequently he purchased OF Ames bot
bonds and stock OF the Union Paciil
Road, which he afterwards sold
New York, making fair profit. He rt
GREETED that his investment was not larger
as the transaction was honorable and honest
He never received nor purchased any PROF
erty which, directly or indirectly, was COZ
nected with his vote.
William d. Kelley testified that he agree
with Ames to take some Credit-MobiliS
stock as an investment only, but the matte
was dropped, and he never received an
dividends or profits from the Credit-Ml
bilier; had not had an offer from Ames {
Credit Mobiler stock to influence legisli
tion. II the witness had been able to p1l
chase stock, he would have done so. II
saw no more improperly in a member {
Congress buying that stock than in buyin
a flock of sheep, and then voting upon II
tariff on wool or woolen goods.
Senator Wilson testified substantially
what has already been published-that II
stock was taken in his wife's name, but su
| Il. -, - al all Ahn Foni
in the case.
Representative Bingham made a stat
ment TO the effect that he had purchase
twenty shares of stock and received div
dends upon it, and defended the transactio
as perfectly legitimate, the same as thoug
1t was bank stock. It was purely busine
transaction, and never influenced his vote
the House.
Soaking Seed in Dry Times.-Rur
Home says; "This is practiced to col
| oidaro hla aNtapf h,It wa haVa OhanrVn