The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-17
INDIGNANT LEGISLATORS ON THE STAND.
Statements by Senators Patterson and Will
son and congressman ScOfieM,
Kelley and Bingham.
THE WILSON INVESTIGATION
Durant's $4,000 to Harlan for Political
Purposes Generally.

this morning, and Glenni w. Scofeld, of Pennsy-
vania, whose name has been mentioned in connec-
ton with the charges, appeared before the COM
mittee voluntarily and made the following state
ment under Oath-
MR.. SCOFIELDs STATEMENT.
For many years have been in the habit OF in
vesting in bonds or stocks whatever surplus how
ever small, l might have from year to year. In
December, 1856, bought OF Mr.. Ames some bonds
Of the Cedar Rapids aud Missouri Railroad In De-
cember, 1867, l spoke co him about getting more.
He suggested that should take this Credit Mo-
bilier stock. He explained that it was contract
nature ' o. my State, and he would ike ike
70 have some Pennsylvanians in it. In brief
sell me some stock at par and interest from
some former period at my own risk, as he would
guarantee that it. would pay eight per cent
told him thought would take 81, 200 of it. told
him would get the money and see him again. Be.
home by severe illness in my family, and did not
return until some days alter New Years. Some
time after, when met Mr. Ames and spoke about
I was too late. AS l did not give him
the money ne supposed ! had abandoned it,
give him the money and hen he would ascertain
and get it If he could. gave him the money and
s dns T te that t S Oe
stock, but it was in larger block and he would
have to get it divided. Either at this time,
after, told INN had concluded not to take the
stock. We talked the matter over, ana finally
agreed to take some OF his railroad securities in
stead: Some balance was settled in money, and /
gave him his receipt. This was during that same
session OF Congress, nearly four years ago. don't
recolect any legislation pending or In prospect at
that time that Mr., Ames was interested in.
WAS NEXT IN CONGRESS
when the subsidies to the Pacific roads were
granted, and voted against the act of Congress Of
lS64 giving the companies mortgages priority.
The legislation that came up two or three years
after was based upon facts subsequently developed.
and could not therefore, have been anticipated by
me- Nothing said about Legislation.
tainly 1t was not thought of by me-.
In answer to questions OF Judge Poland he testi-
Ned that he thought the matter was settled early
In February, 1868; thought no dividends were de-
clared by the company during the time; did not re-
allowed in the final settlement; witness had no
Idea that the stock then was worth two or three
times it's par value; the conversation between wit
ness and Mr.. Ames was accidental 1t began on the
street, while walking down from the Capitol, and
was continued in the hotel where they both
By Judge Merrick-Mr. Ames explained how the
Credit Mobilier was managed and Its object.
BY Mr.. McCrary-Did not remember any legisla-
ton in Congress in reference to the road while he
held the stock; If there had been 1t would not
have Influenced his vote.
BY Mr.. Niblack-Mr. Ames said in the course Of
conversation that he would like to have some
Pennsylvania men in the enterprise, as 1t was In
corpOrated by that State.
SENATOR PATrERsoN's TESTIMONY.
Senator Patterson, OF New Hampshire, was then
sworn and made the following statement
Gentiemen OF the COMMITTEES, nave mad no trans
Ames which, in my Judgment, call for investiga-
ton, or which any respectable business man would
your invitation to he present this morning,
and. with your permission, will give. you u
brief but complete statement of all there
concerned; entered Congress after all the land
grants and subsidies to the Union Pacific Railroad
had been made the only legislation which has
arisen since in respect to It, the wisdom and policy
OF which any one questions, so far as l know, is
the act of 1854 which passed during my FIRST session
n n
to the merits OF this great work as am now: but
I have never regretted the vote gave at that
time l then had but slight acquaintance
with Mr. Ames, having never seen him
before entered Congress: at o later
period we were thrown together and brought into
the relations of q somewhat intimate friendship:
near the close OF 1867, when no man could have
anticipated any further legislation upon this sub
ject and since when, If we except the transfer of
the office OF the company to Boston, there has been
none, unless giving construction to previous
act on question raised Unexpectedly by the Sec
Rotary OF the Treasury may be SO considered;
MR.. AMEs CANE OVER TO THE SENATE,
and proposed to sell me thirty shares OF stock in
the Credit Mobilier; he represented at the time
that he did this as friend looking to my interest;
asked him to explain TO me what the Credit Mo-
bilier was, and he did SO; l then asked him If
gress TO hold; he said he thought it was,
as they did not expect to ask for any further
legislation; and to give strength to his view,
acknowledged integrity, who had either taken or
proposed to take stock in the company; then
inquired II he thought it would be profitable lie
should not have offered it to friend; said
should be glad to take some OF the stock,
but could not, as l had money; "When
you get some money which you wish to invest,n
said Mr.. Afnes, ''come to me and you shall
have the stock;' at that time | proposed to
take the STOCK and doubtless Mr. Ames ex-
pected should, but never found it convenient to
take 1t before concluded it was not best to take,
and 50 the purchase was not consummated, and
never received, directly or indirectly nor did any
one ever mold lor me IN trust, one penny's worth
OF stock OF the Credit Mobilier; have been thus
explicit because have been msrepresented in re-
spect to this thing and not because see any
BREACH OF PRoPRIETY OR PERSONAL INTEGRITY
In Congressman's purchasing or holding this
more than paper, wool, legal tenders bonds, bank
notes, bank stock or any other species of property
liable to be affected by legislation but upon which
legislation was not anticipated at the time Of
the purchase; on two occasions subsequently,
] purchased OF Mr.. Ames stock and bonds
in the hands OF friend in New York for sale;
my friend sold them at fair profits for this stock
and bonds paid the full market price, in money
fde purchases, and not exchanges OF stock or dis
yestm.san, but reasonably profitable and
was both honest and honorable, ana i
doubt II there is any member OF Congress
purchase to-day; this is the whole of my connec.
ton with Mr.. Ames or with the Union Pacific Rail-
road ! have never purchased or received any
property oil any KIND which had any connection,
direct or indirect, with my vote or political In
nuence.
In answer TO questions Of Judge Poland, Mr.. Pat
terson testified that his first purchase was In 1859
aud the other In 1871.
SENATOR Wilson'S STATEMENT.
Hon. Henry Wilson WAS then sworn and testified
that his wife had been presented with So 800 on the
anniversary Of their 'silver weddingn a portion OF
which was invested In Credit Mobllier bonds which
were purchased for her benefit at the suggestion OF
Mr.. Cakes Ames; witness knew nothing OF the or
ganizaton; Ames said he would guarantee 1t to
pay ten per cent and advised witness to take II I;
witness asked Mr.. Ames at the time If 1t was
Congress- for legislation, as he had made
IL a rule never to have dollars worth OF
stock in any road wanting legislation; Mr.. Ames
replied that the road wanted no legislation and
expected none; witness told Mr.. Ames that II the
road should apply for Legislation lie would
want his money back and give the bonds up SUBJ
sequently witness learned that there were some
diff1cutics about the concern, and he spoke TO
Messrs Alley. Ames and others about 1t, saying
that he wanted 10 get out OF II;