Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-02-05
Our Washington Letter.
MAsnrNoroN. FehrnarY 1. 1879.

NAeHiNbIONs FtuIuaTy u 100
Mesvs. Editors People here have recov-
cred somewhat from the first shock produced
by the astounding revelations made by the
Credit Mobiler investigation, and are now
watching with more curiosity than interest the
efforts of the unfortunate victims to gather up
the dishonored fragments Of their ruined rcputa-
tons Most Of those who were crushed by the
exposure Of their acceptance Of the little
crumbs quietly slipped into their hands at the
conclusion of the feast of the MObilier ring,
and Of their subsequent falsehoods and perju-
ry, remain PROSTATE and apparently liieless.-
A few however have regained their feet and 60
wandering about in half crazed manner, in
sancly protesting their innocence in the face
Of the most positive and overwhelming tesii-
mony. One or two declare that they will set
prove a negative, and one or two try to put on
a bold face and treat the whole matter lightly
OF the latter Hon. w. d. Kelley, has adopted
an entirely original manner Of asserting his
present honesty and Indifference. Calling upon
Ames to deliver the Mobiier stock which he
held in bis hands as trustee for him, (kelleyD
to Judge Poland, the chairman Of the commit
tee, Kelley added thereto certified check for
the amount Of cash dividends which he had
received thereon. The stock and money he
then directed Judge Poland to deposit in the
Treasury to the credit Of the United States.-
While this act Of restitution may be very com
mendable in itself, it will not he accepted by
any one familiar with the testimony as dsprov-
ing bis participation in the Moblier profits, or
as removing the moral stain of bis sworn denial
thereof.
The case Of no one Of the gentlemen impli-
Gated excitss such universal sympathy and re-
gret as that Of Vice President COiax. lie en-
loved the unqualified and unlimited con-
fdence Of all parties, and they would rejoice
at his escape from his present lamentable posi-
ton They are struck dumb, however, by the
fiat contradiction between his persistent and re-
peated denials and the overwhelming testimony
against him. It will be remembered that he
denied ever having received the 81 200 check
from Mr. Ames, or the money thereon from the
sergeant-at-arms. The next day the check it.
self was produced before the committee, and
Mr.. Dillon, the cashier Of the sergeant alarms
svore that he paid the check to Mr.. Collax il
person that he might not have remembered
the circumstance in the case Of an ordinary
member Of the House, bat that such check
being presented by the Vice President made ar
impression upon his mind at the time. Mr.
Colfax enforced his denial Of having received
this money by saying that his income was s.
small and received so regularly that be coulC
not have received such an addition thereto a
any time without his knowing and rememberin!
it. Mr. Swain, the cashier of the First Nationa
Bank, was called, and testified that the day fol
lowing that upon which it was claimed tn
money was paid to Mr.. COlfax, he deposited
in that bank, in United States currency, s 200
the precise amount of the check which DilloI
swears he paid him.
Mr. Colfax claims that this money was re
ceiyed from another source, but is not certain
Of bis ability to prove it. lie has devoted th
past week to a search among the mass of hi
private papers for that year, which he has hal
sent on from his home, for some evidence L
sustain his assertion, but as yet, as it is under
stood, without success. of q peculiarly sen
sitiye organization, Mr.. Colfax feels the full
force Of the crushing blow that has fallen upoi
him. and sees the utter ruin that will follow
his failure to rebut the testimony against him
lie is laboring under a mental excitemen
bordering upon insanity, and can scarcely NEE
a friend or speak of his troubles, withou
breaking down.
Messrs Brooks and Garfield have been so pro.
trated by the disclosures Of the investigation
as to be confined to their rooms. Contrary I
expectation the committee has not yet con
pleted its work, and it is expected that Nj
CuifaA will apls~. b fs-s tL>r. again on Nnr
day, when it is hoped he may be able to dis
pate the clouds that are gathering so dark
around him.
The Caldwell investigating committee ha'
such mass of testimony, showing the opt
bribery by which his election to the Senate WI
secured, that their report and the action
the Senate thereon, cannot fail ~ make a "
cancy in the Kansas senatorship.
> Bribery and corruption seem to prevail late
al a. mDlal NBibNAhiNs " hIN NalhNNiA
" Kansas is undergoing the process Of expulsi,
: from the Senate for having purchased
election, the startling intelligence is recciv
that Senator Pomeroy has just been detect
and exposed in attempting to secure his retu
!" to the Senate by the same means, and that
= defeat swiftly followed his exposure. 1t is
ported that upon the assembling of the legis
v ture of Kansas in joint convention for t
purpose Of electing Senator, State Senat
York handed to the President Of the convent
81 900 which he declared had just been pr
him by Pomeroy for his vote and iDauen
= OF course this resulted in the immedii
% election Of his opponent Pomeroy was
once arrested and held in the sum Of S2O.C
- to answer the criminal charge before I
~ courts. By this one false and reckless 81
y another of our prominent and honored pub
men