The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-06


Ames The one was charged with the buying OF
democrats, the other bought republicans. Durant
knew that this thing was bribery, and he worked
by indirecton so that the names OF the democratic
corrupticnsts viii probably remain mystery for
ever Stewart, the rccusant witness, was his in
strument; but Stewart was not his only tool
Durant encourages the impression that Stewart
"goobled up' the funds that were given him
"What did he do with the money! asked OF .
man VINO protested to believe this story, and was
tod that he gombled it away. All this may be
true, but 1t looks very much like lie. Durant is
TOO shrewd man to DO so completely overreached
w stewart. Besides, the sum which Stewart re-
ccived is entirely inadequate when CON-
pared with the amount OF money and bonds
which Durant had for distribution. Ames
had 343 shares OF Credit Mobier stock, and with it
he corrupted ten OF the most powerful men In Con-
gress. Durant had $50 shares OF stock and $4Oo,00o
in money besides. Ten thousand dollars OF this
went toward Harlan's reelection. In both money
and stock Stewart got only $25oO0) The rest OF IS
unquestiOnaoly in the hands of democratic Con-
gressmen and OF other Congressman besides Brooks,
OF New York. and Boyer. of Pennsylvania. Durant
is an angel compared with Ames, for he stared
Heaven in the face and snned with his eyes open,
while other mems were closed. Ames is very
A gentleman said to me, "Aiter all that he has
done, would make him executor OF my WIN, know
jng that he would not deprive my children OF
single penny" He Is q man OF correct business
habits. and he was able to account to the Credit
Mobilier for every cent OF the corruption fund In
his hand. He is queer compound OF shrewdness.
rascality, honesty and simplicity, and Is as gar
rulous as an old woman. But he emily told what
he knew OF Colfax and Patterson when he was
forced to tell it; and that he has not yet told the
whole truth in regard to some OF the others is evil
dent from an analysis Of the Dawes case.
AMEs AND DAwEs-H0w THE LEADER OF THE
HOUSE DOES BUSINESS.
Mr.. Dawes made very clear and concise denial
OF his alleged Credit Mobilier transactions soon
after Speaker Blaine had set the example to these
who supposed he was a partner with them In
guilt Especially was the leader OF the House pre-
else IN saying that he owned no stock at any time
not bought and paid for with his own money. Men
who knew Dawes, or supposed they knew MIN,
were satisfied with his letter, and said that he,
at least would be free from the imputa-
lions cast upon him. When he came to
tell his story before the committee II plea Of
confession and avoidance. He had owned stock,
he admitted, in the Credit Mobiier but only for
three weeks. According to his own account, when
he came to Washington in the Winter Of 1867 he
had $1,000 to his credit in the hands Of the Ser
geantat-Arms. A thousand dollars Is sum OF
money 80 vast that the average Congressman Ia
utterly at a loss how to invest 1t, and even the
financial leader Of the HOuse-the man who alone
Is superior to the Secretary Of the Treasury in
moulding the finances of the government-was so
far unequal to the occasion that he was compelled
to ask his friend Washburn for advice and guidance.
washburn referred him to Ames, who generally
had @ large supply Of Yankee notions for specua-
tive statesmen. Dawes and Washburn had talked
of shares in some Iowa railroad, but Ames re-
commended Credit Mobilier stock, and Dawes
agreed to take 1t If the shovelmaker would guar
antee him ten per cent upon his investment. This
Ames agreed to do, and Dawes took the stock to
the full amount of his money which was wanting
Investment, but he paid upon it only $780, After
three weeks he became frightened. because he
learned that one Of his Pittsfeld neighbors was
going to sue the company. and gave back the
stock receiving from Ames his $500 and accrued
interest. The fact that he took the interest for
three weeks shows his careful and methodical
business habits but somehow or other he also got
a dividend on stock he did not own, and after q
very considerable period he was In Ames' debt
$500. The buying and selling and borrowing and
lending between these two are mysteries as i'm
penetrable were all things earthly and divine to
Lord Dundreary. Dawes story seems woven out
of the whole cloth and not to be true
in any particular. Ames cOn.radcts it
in some some of its most essential points, and
yet Ames is his friend, pushing him for the United
States Senate in place OF Henry Wilson. The books
of the Sergeant-at-Arms show no signs OF his hav-
ing any money in that quarter when he says he
had it, The fact OF the receipt OF the dividend
after he pretends to have yielded up the stock
proves or seems to prove tnat he continued TO own
it and owns 1t still. But he found no fault with
Ames, and Ames let's him alone. II he had contra
dcted the shovelmaker he would probably have
met the fate Of Colfax; but he was too prudent to
do anything So reckless, and he accordingly re.
tains the friendship and esteem of Cakes Ames.
The whole truth may come out in the end, but
doubt If it will be told any more clearly than 1t
appears from the contradictions In which he has
involved himself, for Ames is true to his purpose OF
telling as little possible, unless circumstances
anrOnts compel him to unbosom himself.
WHEREIN CAKES AMEs SHOWED FIGHT.
In the beginning Cakes Ames showed little dis
position even to traverse the accusations against
himself He appeared to think he could best meet
his accusers in the testimony he would produce in
the McComb suit. But every day put him into
deeper water and he saw at last that his evidence
in that case might be successfully c0ntroverted
less he struck back. His first blow was aimed at
Patterson, but previously Cofax had put him in an
awkward position by virtually charging him with
embezzlemcnt. 1t IS asserted in many quarters
that he took advice from General Butler as to the
best course for him to pursue, but, If he did, he
certainly failed to follow such policy rs Butler
would have been likely to suggest Butler is too
fond Of dramatic effects to have allowed him to
kill single bird till the whole lock had lit. Ames
preferred to wing them separately and he
brought Patterson down at the first shot.
He met Patterson's denial with proofs which
utterly confuted and COMPOUNDED the Senator, and
set or the allegations Of the New Hampshire par
son that he had never owned any Credit Mobilier
stock with the receipts for the dividends. 1t was
impossible to have aimed harder blow, and its
success was overwhelming. Patterson chung to his
story, but Ames added proof upon proof, and OF
otnu god uei Ia had hoo