Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-01-28
nvrrcrIvK MEMORIES.

DEFECTIVE MEhOhihs'
The Credit Mobilier investigation has
brought 10 notice many very strange
freaks in the memories ofthose innocent
Congressman who never knew what
Cakes Ames was after when he passed
over the dividends under the name Of .
loan. They barely remember now alter
tortaous wauderings up aud down all the
labvrnths of the dim past that Ames
rossibly did allude casually TO a good
chance he knew Of to invest few dol
lars bni as they had no money to spare,
no attention was paid to the matter. On
further reflection they believe Ames Of
fered 10 lend them money enough TO
start on, and they told him in their I'M
sophisticated innocence that If he was
willing to trust them he might go ahead.
Memory generally fails at this
point and IKE a stubborn mule
at a bridge, refuses to bulge
another step. Strange that so many
men should all be affected with dark
and bloody chasm in memory-a long
Hank. which can never be bridged over
until the books are brought in. Further
coaxing is unnecessary; they begin to
have A vivid recollection of the whole
affair. and can point out fifty places,
where Mr.. Ames was or might have been
mistaken. They can prompt him when
he needs it. and often when he refuses
to admit the want Of any help. The
whole crew squirms around in ieariol
agony. Some of them hold out yet on
the plea of ignorance. and set up the
excuse that they never dreamt Of any
thing but fair speculation, and left II
all 10 Ames. Others confess that they
knew what it was, but thought they had
as much right to buy Credit Aobilier
stock as bank stock, or any other
securities, but they neglect 70
mention how quickly the stock went
I'D after they voted on It once or twice.
The expose simply shows the country
that many men 70 to Congress to make
money, and can be bought easier than
the average ward politician in cinein-
natl or New York at s convention. They
make laws to suit gigantic corporations
and 1nonOpolies. and take pay in money
and stock. Corruption Is 50 prevalent
that the people are not 50 shocked as
;hey vonld have been ten or fifteen
years ago. Their sensibilities are
blunted. and they are prepared TO stand
alzost anything; yet thereTs patriotism
aud honesty 10 the land, and We hope
enough 10 drive from public position
those who have prosiituted their high
trusts 81 q price and betrayed their con-
stituents. Such a shameful spectacle
was never before presented TO the Amer
lean people. Most Of those concerned
have acted more ike 3 set Of school
boys caught robbing a melon patch
than dignifed American statesmen.
They denied, equivoeaied, forgot how it
was, laid the blame on somebody else,
and called on Ames as the biggest boy
IN the lot to help them out He under
took to Ehitewash a regiment Of them
nearly, but his whitewash was too thin;
1t ran out before the first one was fairly |
ready TO be set up in the sun to dry, |
and in selfdstense he bad 20 look out for
number one. Since then there has been
begging, praying, repentance and gnash-
lag of teeth. Memory has returned TO |
them when too late to be Of any service
in getting out of this ugly serape, and
the repentance is too much On the
death-bed order to be accepted in good
faith by the public.