The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1873-02-26
THE CREDIT HOBTLIER INFESTI-
sWTTX.

Judge Poland Investigation Committee hai
reported to the House of Representatives, re
speeding the connection of certain members o
that House with the Credit Mobiler. 1t ap
pears that 1t was proven that several OF the
members purchased stock of Mr. Ames, but
no evidence has been adduCed to show that it
was received either for favors done or fol
fayols to be done TO that corporation. That
Mr.. Ames' object in inducing them to buy
was with a view to advancing the interests OF
The corporation is undoubted. The Company
had fayors of an unusual character granted TO
them by Congress, which they did not wish
modified in any way, and Mr. Ames consider
cd that the best way to prevent this was to
sell stock to leading members. His intentions
were those Of briber, but that those who re-
ceiyed the stock knew at the time what his
design was in selling to them, is altogether
improbable. That most of them afterward
saw the in,proprety of holding such stock and
returned it or sold it, is i'll evidence. The only
eases, as Judge Poand's committee affirm,
where there is evidence of Intentional wrong
are those of Mr. Ames, who attempted to
bride, and of Mr.. Brooks, who held stock
while knowing that as Government Director
Of the Pacific r. r., he was prohibited by law
from being so interested.
But the Democratic orators and presses say
"If Mr.. Ames is guilty Of bribery, lie must
have bribed somebody" Not necessary Sc
o,ience at all. Motive or intention is to be
taken into account. His motives were cor
iupt, but it does not follow that those who
bought his stock were brbed, unless it can be
shown that they understood his designs and
knowingly did his behests.
1t is an axiom in law that every one is inno-
cent until proven guilty, but partizan papers
have reversed this in the case of those charged
with corruption in connection with the Credit
Mobilier. We believe in calling all public
servants to strict account, and that every at
tempt to influence legislation by corrupt means
and every instance of yielding thereto should
be exposed and punished, but we do not be-
lieve in putting the worst possible construo-
ton on the motives of men whose lives have
been unst;iined heretofore.
In the light of recent developments, n Con-
gresham who should hold stock in the Credit
Alobilier would justly be chargeable with cor
ription, but at The time when these men o Ight
their stock the rascality Of the management of
that corporation was not known
The disgraceful feature of the whole matter
is that while these Congressman knew that
they had held stock, many of them falsely de-
MED it. In doing this they have caused a sus-
picion of their motives which otherwise would
not have been created Had they honestly
confessed their possession of stock {of no
great amount in any casc) no fair-minded man
would have held them guilty of any dishonor-
able motives in purchasing, however much
their wisdom might be questioned, but acting
in a cowardly manner, the faint of suspicion
rests ON them, which they win never be able
fully to clear up.
As to Vice-P President Colfax the examina-
tion has left him, to say the least, in very
unenviable position. If he is innocent, it is
sad but no public man in our history has
fallen more suddenly in public estimation than
Schuyler Colfax His own evidence has placed
him where his enemies could not