The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1873-03-08
CREDIT MOBlLlER.
Report of the Senatorial Committee Patter-
sons Expulsion Demanded Henry Wilson
Mildly Harlan Severely Censured.


Mildly Criticised Harlan Severely Censured
The following is the report of the Senate
Credit Mobilier Committee, submitted by the
Chairman, Senator Morrill,, of Main, on the
27th ut.
They report that they have regarded the
duty devolvcd upon them by order of the Sen.
ate, limited in its range to such matters affect
Ing members 0fthe Senate as are contained
in the communications from the House of
Representatives, and have accordingly con-
fined their inquiries to the elucidation Of the
testimony accompanying the communication.
Having examined the testimony taken before
the House Of Representatives, and heard the
statement of Senators in relation thereto, and
taken such testimony as was acceptable tend
ing to shed light upon the subject matter, and
having attentvely considered the same, the
committee in the first instance present the
facts as asccrtained touching each member of
the Senate.
In the list of members of the Senate sup
posed to be affected by the evidence taken by
the Committee of the House of Representa-
tives is the name Of John A. Logan. In De.
cember, 1861, Logan made an arrangement
with Ames to purchase ten shares OF tire stock
commonly known as shares OF the Credit Mo
bilier of America, upon the recommendation on
of Amcs that the stock was valuable, and pray
men could be made in consideration of the
agreement at any time, and the stock was
never delivered. In June following Ames
showed to Logan an account, in which he
credited him with two dividends arising from
the stock subsequent to its purchase, of eighty
and sixty per cent. respectively, from which
he deducted $1,000, the price of the stock,
ap1f a. nt pt
Arms of the House for the balance, $4,000,
which check was paid. On the 10th of July
following having become doubtful whether
it was good stock or whether there wonld not
be difficulty about it, Logan paid AmGs the
amount of money received on the checks, and
the interest thereon, stating 70 him that he
had concluded not to take the stock, to
which Ames consented; and here the transac-
ton ended, Logan having no further interest
in il. Logan and Ames were members of the
House of Representatives at the date of the
transaction.
The testimony does not affect Logan in any
way which would call for action of the Sen
ate, if it possesses jurisdiction over acts hap
pening before his election to the Senate-a
question on which, under the finding Of the
Committee, it is unnecessary to express an
opinion.
In the record from the House of Reprcsen-
tatives is the name of Roscoe COnklin, men,
Der OF the Senate. Conklin does not appear
to have been connected in any way with the
stock of the Credit Mobilier or of the Union
Pacific Railrod Company, and consequently
is in no way affected thereby,
On or about December, 1861, Senator Will
son, on behalf of his wife. at the instance of
Ames, and upon the advice of friends, con-
tmcted for twenty shares of Credit Mobilier
stock, paying therefore, in cash. 50 1000 which
belonged to his wife, Ames giving his receipt
for the same, and guarantee for the pay
ment of 10 per cent. interest thereon Wilson
became dissatisfied with the transaction from
what he had learned Of the differences in the
of the Credit Mobilier and Union
Pacific Company, and concluded to regard
he transaction as complete. He so stated to
imes, who consented to SO regard it, and an
adjustment was therefore made 1t was by
contract by her husband, and Wilson had no
light or interest therein, except such as grew
nut of those facts. Whether the action is or
S not in law to he regarded as that of his
,wn or that of his wife, is not deemed materi-
H. II is certain that the money invested was
contributed by friends to his wife; that he
reatcd it as belonging to her, considering the
Investment for her benefit, and the money
vas finally repaid to and disposed of by her
wilson does not appear to have been well in
Ormed as to the character of the Credit Mo
,ilier: nor does it appear that he was aware
II had reason to suspect that Amcs had any
bject in commencing the investment other
han that of friendship.
The Committee does not believe Senator
Wilson is affected by the transaction with
,mcs but they feel constrained to advert in
his connection to the fact that on the 10th OF
september last Wilson authorized TO be sent
0 the press of New York Il dispatch which |
n effect is regarded as an unqualified denial
hat he had ever obtained from Cakes AmcS
# any other person the slightest interest in
he Credit Mobiier and to remark that the
espatch was intended to convey to the pub
ic an erroneous impression.
The evidence relating to Senator Harlan
hOws a transaction in 1865, while he was
secretary of the Interior Department The
transaction was not in its nature continuous,
nd it does not appear 10 have influenced his
ctions as Senator since his election, or that
was so intended and however strongly the
Committee would deprecate the use of money
or the purpose for which in this case 1t was
contributed and used, and whatever Judge
nent they would resist any and all attempts
" the free use of money to control popular
IMPRESSION, they do not, however, refrain to
cmark upon the fact that Durant, Nice-PreS-
dent of the Union Pacific Railroad Company
corporate creation of Congress, which
would probably be again subject to lcgiSla,
ion, contributed 10000 with the avowed
purpose of its being used in securing the
lection of Harlan to the Senate of the United
tates, lie being at the time of It's receipt Sec.
ciary of the Interior. This discloses an evil
non Which the committee cannot too severe
Y anmalycrt. The use of large sums OF
money TO influence either popular or icglsia-
i've electors strikes directly at the tunda'
mental principles of republican government
t excludes men from public life, and under
lincs public and private virtue, upon which
lone republican institutions can stand. II
annot be concealed that il is one threatening |,
anger TO the permancncc OF our Govern,
lcnt, and one which can come only ana
houd come speedily from the united voice
f virtuous citizens of the Republic, uttered
[ the very stage of Government action rom
owest to hi hcst. While this receipt and use
f money is open 10 censure, the evidence adj
uccd 10 prove that Senator Harlan was IN,
uenced 10y the gift thus made To him. failed
b establish any such results