Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-02-04
The Credit Mobilier Corruptions.

| IAe very name heaClnS tniS articie, Will ever
bring blush to the cheek Of Northern Ameri-
cans at home and abroad, for their Nations
shame but as disgusting and disgraceful as
the subject is, and however distasteful, our
duties as public Journalists compels US to try
to give our readers as clear an idea as posi-
bic of its workings.
It appears that when the Northern United
States were in the midst of their then doubtful
struggle with the Confederacy, that it became
matter OF supreme importance to complete
the Pacific r. r., hold the golden States to
their allegiance, and avoid the risk of the cap
ture of treasure laden steamers by our bold
Pnvateers. In this hour of trial it made i'm
mense advances to the Central, Western and
Union Pacific H. Rs, giving them 10 miles
square OF land, to every mile Of road and loan
ing them $55, 092 1872, in money. for which it
was to be secured by first mortgage en- the
roads They already owe the u. s. $4,000
600 interest and the principal and aceumulating
interest will amount to $l3l ,O0o 900, at present
rate OF interest and payment, by the time the
bonds mature. And now comes the strangest
and most shameful part Of this business, for 10
this hour Of the Nation trial. as the North
grandiloquently loves to call it, the leading
Republican Congressman and patriotic capital
lists appear on the scene and, taking advantage
of the wild excitement of the times, unite in
creating joint stock company, with unlini-
ted capital and powers called Credit Mobi-
| lier, which was to advance funds and aid in
negotiating the bonds and loans of these roads
The Directors Of the r. Rs, and its stockhold-
ers are the same, and it pushes the u. S., aside,
takes It's millions and secures the first mortgage
on all the Pacific railroads, leaving the Govern
ment, with the worthless security Of second
mortgage to hold for its advances, knowing it
could not be paid, unless the roads paid, as his
tory shows railroads, SO built, never did before
| Charges of corruption, and bribery, were
made but boldly denied during the last Pfes-
Dental campaign, and the whole matter is now
being cleared up, and those charges more than
prov ed, by the documentary testimony, presey-
ed by that prince of rascale, Hon Oaks Ames,
OF Mass. From the smiling but hypocritical
Vlce-President Colfax, and oily Cannon
Wilson, Vice President elect, down through the
whole party 10 Congress, to door keepers, &C.,
is proved they received thousands for no consi-
deration, but implied support of every measure
desired By this Infamous Credit MobiIier And
now it is proved that Colfax deposited in lst
National Bank, Washington, check for ST.
200, he sWore he never had received from
Ames. Wilson's case is nov being investiga-
ted and shows but little better for him. and the
smaller fry make 20 bones OF their part, while
Ames glories in his corroptions and moral rot
| tenness.
There was tins when even the Northern
people would have risen in their honesty and
might and hurled these robbers from power,
or hanged them to the nearest lamp post, but,
having LOST their liberties in crushing out the
independence Of the South, and with them
their moral foroa and character, they cooily look
Ga at the sensation" the magnitude Of the
swindle creates. and the devils implicated will
go nuwhipped Of justice, and, worse still, he
honored with further trust aud power. We, CT
the South, can 10 nothing, but thank God
that while ''the CALLED jade Wioc3s our withers
are unwrung.' aad, that, even in our poverty
and distress, we are not deflei or responsible
for this damniag SHANE CT the Nation.