The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-07
CREDIT MOBILIER EXPOSE.
The Great Congressional Scandal
Under Official Investigation.
AN OPEN COMMITTEE.
Cakes Ames Unbosoms Himself
Without Reservation.
nsssrs. Collax, Wilson, Boutwell, Patterson,
Dawes, Bingham, Garfield, ScOfield,
Fowler and Brooks Named.
REUKLEssNEsS PAR EXCELLENCE.
Shares Allotted and Dividends Paid
Without Transfer or Pur-
chase Money.
M'COMB STATE M E Mt
Letters from o. A.. to Justify
..,aia
His Assertions.
<yp-s.r-.-~,---.. ,--r----------s .-S.~
Somebody Has His 1915
Shares.
JOHN b. ALLEYS STORY.
His Inducem ents To Go Into
sSthe Great Thing"
How He Discovered Durant's $50
Shares on A. b. G.
WAS THE TESTIMONY "DOCTORED7"
JOHN b. ALLEYS STORY.
His Inducements To Go Into
SSthe Great Thing.0
How He Discovered Durant's $50
Shares on A. b. G.
WAS THE TESTIMONY "DooToRED ?"
A Suit Ordered by the Government to
Recover So, 1897, 1856.

WASHINGTON, jan o, 1878.
The House, for the first time, made an earnest
resolve to-day to clear out its Augean stable and
Set to work about the herculean TASK. majority
81 the members appear to be painfully alive to
the fact that the whole country s aroused
by the suspicion that there exists
vast amount of corruption IN the highest Legsla-
ture OF the nation. The Credit MObilier scandal
formed the all-absorbing topic of conversation in
the House before the proceedings opened. About
D dozen members had resolutions ready for
presentation, e the effect that the lnysstig1-
ton should be conducted with open DOORS
Zach Of them was eager to have his resolution
Hrst brought to the notice OF the House. At the
commencement OF proceedings there was scarcely
q quorum present, but as the morning hour waned
more members dropped in to present their pet
bills, and at one O'Clock the House presented quite
respectable array Of members. The feeling para
mount was that something would be done to break
THE SPELL OF SECRECY
which shrouded the Credit MObilier Investigation
Members involved in the accusation tried to look
nnconcerned, but were unable 10 master their emo
ton.
After one Intellectual attempt Mr.. Frye, Of
Maine, succeeded in bringing his resolution before
the House. Judge Poland chairman Ofthe investiga-
ting committee, defined the Star Chamber course
hitherto pursued. He made the unwarranted
ter Of members Of the House had always been con-
aucted in secret; that it was supplementary to
publish testimony in the course OF investigation
in cases where members of the Senate,
and former members OF the House appear to be
implicated. He was candid enough, however, to
express doubt as to whether the Committee
could ever get through with the work. and conse-
puently admitted possibility that there would be
40 report published at all. Judge Poland, who is
personally an amable gentleman OF the old
school, has drawn much unnatterng comment on
himself for his attempt at secresy.
Mr.. Niblack another member of the committee,
On whom rests the faint of having voted for sew
sral railroad jobs also spoke in favor Of the secret
mode OF investigation. General Banks figuring
to-day as an absentee, Judge Merrick was
the only member OF the committee who advocated
publicity; but the large majority was not to be
trined WITH because they felt that the honor of the
House hangs upon the investigation. SO the reso-
luton was
PASSED BY AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY,
20 the dismay of several members implicated in
the Credit Mobilier scandal, whs did not dare to
vote against it, Mr.. Cakes Ames made virtue OF
necessity, Mr.. Dawes was absent, Mr.. Garfield kept
his place and the Iunereal voice of Mr. James Brooks
was not heard. Mr.. Cox, who fathered the CON-
mittee, came out strongly in favor Of publicity.
Others. Sam Randall, OF Pennsylvania, moved to
suspend the rules aud adopt resolution directing
suit to be brought against the Credit Mobilier
Company ana It's stockholders to recover the
es,337, 1885 which the Union Pacific Railroad Com
pany Is in default to the government for interest
paid on its bonds, which was adopted.
ANOTHER SELECT coMxTTEE.
Mr.. Wilson (rep.), OF Ind. offered resolution
fer another select committee OF i've to inquire
whether any stockholders of the Credit Mobilier
hold bonds OF the Union Pacific Railroad Company;
whether they obtained them for valuable consd
GRAFTON, &c. Also adopted.
THE TESTIMONY DoCroRED BY ALLEY AND AMEs.
When the seal OF secrecy was removed from the
Credit Nobilier Investigating Committee by the
action Of the House the correspondents made q
rush for the testimony already taken. 1t appears,
however, that sever al OF the parties implicated in
the scandal had anti cipated that the power OF the
press would create sentiment strong enough to
break up the star Chamber system, and
that the House at its FIRST meeting after
recess would insist that the investigation
be held with open doors and that the
evidence 80 far elected be given to the papers.
Cakes Ames and Alley, who had access to their
testimony during the recess, thus contrived, with
the aid OF their counsel to doctor 1t, covering up
their shortcomings and suppresslng part OF the
damaging evidence they had given, In order to
appear to the best advantage possible. The cross
examination OF Cakes Ames was not given ont
this afternoon with the other testimony but, by
the kind permission OF Judge Poland, delayed
until this evening, Cakes Ames having in the
meanwhile ample time to make the necessary cor
rections.