The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-22
THE GREAT SCANDAL.
Cakes Amts Explodes a Bombshell in the
Credit MObiher Ranks.
Senator Patterson Put Hors du Commissioners
in the Committee Room-Brooks
Adroit Explanation.

WASHINGTON, Jan. q, 1879.
The Credit Mobier scandal is now assuming
another phase. 1t appears that some OF the inno-
cents are to be slaughtered. Cakes Ames has
turned at last, confirming the intimaton given in
yesterdays HERALD relating to the promised dis
closures. TO-day's sitting OF Judge POland's CON-
mittee has been by far the most interesting OF the
whole investigation though it seems only to pre-
Jude what s to follow. Cakes Ames had been
pushed to the wall and the bombshel
which he lightly tossed into the field
exploded with force enough to wound Senator
Patterson in a manner from which he will not soon
recover. Patterson paraded his wounded pride
before the committee and made q statement which
savored strongly Of arcadian simplicity. This was
too transparent even for Ames to stand 1t. He
made reply which seemed very much like repe-
tition Of the Senator's statement There hes now
question OF veracity between these two gentle
men. Appearances are in favor Of Cakes Ames, for
his statement left the Senator from New Hamp-
shire perfect picture OF discontinue.
DIR. Durant was the first witness before the COM
mittee. He was examined upon few unimpor-
tant points. He had very little to say and seemed
oppressed by the weight OF ennu
James Brooks whose connection with the Credit
MObier appears to be married with the committee,
so much time have they devoted to the minutest
particulars OF his transactions, was then eX-
amined, and managed his case much better than
heretofore. The most important part of his testi-
mony was the explanation Of his rash, ill-advised
speech in the house. which has thus far contributed
in great measure to injure him more than the
rest Of those implicated. He said that in his
speech he had alluded to the fifty shares as prop
erty Of his sonn-law, and denied only connection
with them. McC0mb had made specific charge
against him, and he answered specifically. He had
intended to make further explanations, but his
time in the House did not permit it. He knew he
would be summoned before the committee, and was
willing 70 defer his defence until then.
BROOKS ADRoIT EXPLANATION
will have tendency to put better face on his
case, though it cannot be regarded as completely
generating him.
The next witness was Senator Patterson. Every
body was surprised when he again took the stand
ana asked leave to submit a written statement.
He had explained once and in his desire to improve
matters he made them worse. Patterson cast
reproachful look at the committee and the corre-
sp0ndents in the room, as he introduced his
statement by bitter denunciation OF
the press, which, he said. had been maligning
honest men whose life-recOrds were without
faint. His details OF the transaction seemed to
show such chidke confidence that one was involun-
tarily moved with indignation to think that the
wicked Ames could have inveigled him into the
broad and destructive path which led to Credit
Mobilier. Pattersons statement number two was
made for the sole purpose Of explaining discrep-
ancy which existed between his first defence and
Cakes Ames' testimony. Ames had claimed that
Patterson had owned thirty shares of Credit
Mobilier, whereas the latter, in his first state
ment solemnly denied having ever owned single
share. The Senator from New Hampshire said
he had given Cakes Ames $4,000 to invest for
him. The knowing Ames, from the testimony
of different congressman. 1t would seem, is
private business adviser for all Congressman
of speculative turn OF mind. Well, he didn't
know what Cakes Ames did with the money.
In general way this supplemented, trusting
man believed that it went into stocks-Union Pacific
stocks, he always thought, but was not sure. He
gave Mr.. Ames his money, and at stated occasions
money was given him in return. Mr.. Ames called
them dividends. Patterson thought there would
be no harm in such an innocent little business.
Why, it was only
CASTING BREAD ON THE WATERS,
and Ames returned it to him-that was all. The
burden OF his second statement was on the point
advanced by the reading Of the substance Of two
letters written or him by Anes during the Sena-
tOrial election in his own State. Patterson was
much troubled at the charge made against him by
Mr.. Rollins about his connection with q game
which he did not understand-Credit Mobilier.
He employed Ames by telegraph to write
and say it was net he who had ever been contain
mated with the naughty stock.
The letters written to order by Ames were read
to the committee, but they did not distinctly say
that Patterson had never owned stock but cum
ningly stated that his name never appeared on the
correct; because the stock was in Cakes Ames'
name, he being the universal trustee Of his Con-
gressional clients. These letters Patterson set
up as an OFFSET to Ames' statement in regard
to his possession of the thirty shares.
Ames could not swallow this doubt upon his
veracity. He had heen sitting quietly at the table
during the whole session aimlessly scrawling upon
a paper before him, apparently giving little atten-
ton to Patterson. But as Patterson set up his let
tiers in rebuttal OF his (Ameso own testimony it
was clear the issue was at hand Ames' face as
sumed resolute look, and careful observer could
see that his mind was made up to tell
THE WHOLE TRUTH IN THE NATTER
He commenced in ponderous, sledge- hammer
way, referring to his memoranda occasionally to
refresh his memory as he told the story OF Patter
sons connection with the Credit Mobilier. He
began by saying that Patterson approached him
with the request to invest $1,000 for him. Here
Poland asked what sort of investment
was talked Of Ames replied, "Credit
Mobilier; we talked Of nothing else."
At this Patterson appeared dumbfounded.
Ames resumed, and said that Patterson gave him
S. 900 in January, 1868, to invest He put it into
Credit Mobilier. In February there was dividend
paid to Patterson Of ST. 223, and in the same month
he transferred to him thirty shafes 81 Union Pacific
stock. In June there was another dividend Of
ST. 800, About two months ago he settled with Pat
terson, and gave him 100 Pacific shares for all back
dividends. Ames said he did
NOT WANT TO GIVE SENATOR PATTERSON THE LIE.
but he felt certain that he had sold him thirty
shares Of Credit Mobilier, and that he was under
the impression that they had been delivered to
him, because he (Ames was short In his account
Of just that number. He frankly allowed that
he wrote the letters for Patterson to
quiet the fears OF the latter; that he
ooIy oaid fhaf Dat