Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-02-10
SENATOR WILSON'S TESTIMONY

The testimony of Senator Wilson in re-
lation to his connection with the Credit
Mobilier before the Wilson Investigating
Committee is published in full in our col
umns. 1t will be read with interest, both
for the candor which marks the testimony
and the character for honesty which Mr..
Wilson has always borne. Itappears that
Mr.. Wilson never invested any money of
his own in the Credit Moblier stock. His
wife. however had some money given to
her on the twenty-fifth anniversary of her
wedding day. two thousand dollars of
which was passed to Cakes Ames to be
invested in the stock. A receipt was
taken for the money by Mr.. Wilson but no
stock was delivered. A few months after
the transaction, learning that there was
some difficulty about the company, Mr.
Wilson demanded his wife's money back,
and received it, but without interest or d.
vidend, because, he says, he regarded the
bargain incomplete on account Of no stock
having been delivered. In order, how
ever, that his wife should not be the loser
by his withdrawal of her money, the Sen
ator paid her from his own money the in
tcrest and dividends that would have &C
crued upon the sum in the same time had
it been completely invested, SO that in re-
ality he was worse off in pocket by SS14
than if he had nothing to do with the Cred
it Mobilier. 1t farther appears that upon
his wifes death her money went to her
own relations by blood, and for charity
purposes, she disposing of it without re-
gard to him.
We think there arc none who are dis
posed to view the subject candidly, that
can read the testimony without believing
it is true, and its author guiltess of any
intentional wrong. He had always been
scrdpulously correct in all affairs relating
to his duty as Senator, never engaging
in matters of business in which his public
duty might be warped by his private in
terest. Before engaging the stock for his
wife he inquired of Ames if any legisla-
ton was required or expected by the COM
pany and was told that none was needed.
All that tine company desired of Congress
had been granted, and as matter of fact
none has been asked for from that time to
the present. And when Henry Wilson
solemnly swears that he had no thought
OF engaging in questionable transaction,
where his honor as Senator might be
compromised, when he made his bargain
with Ames, hiSword win stand against all
the partizan denunciations that can be
hurled against him.
The recklessness with which accusa-
tons ale made against leading republi
cans reveals the purpose very plainly
to be entirely partizan. An investigation
which was demanded in the spirit of
fairness and justice will be turned against
the party in power if possible. Facts are
shame!ully distorted, and men who are
innocent of intended wrong are held up
as robbers and perjurers of the worst char
acter. Let the guilty suffer the full PEN
atty of their wrong doing, but in the name
of justice let us hear and consider before
condemning men OF lifelong integrity.
The same press that would have handed
the government over to rebel influence
and the control of the mos. corrupt lema-