Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-02-28
The Report OF the Poland Committee.
WASHINGTON, February IS.

NAbhlNdTONs oDfuaIy TO-
THE Special Credit. Mobilier Committee of
the House submitted its report to the House
to-day.
After quoting the resolution under which
they were appointed and acted, the Commit
tee gave history of the connection of the
Credit-Mobilier Company with the Union Pa
cl6c Railroad, by the Hoxie and Ames con-
tracts. The Committee then rehearsed the
operations Of Mr.. Ames in placing some OF
the stock Of the Credit-Mobilier and the diff
ficulties which arose between him, Durant
and McCQmb. Prior to the session of De-
cember, 1907, Ames had had no negotiations
with Congressman, except Mr.. Schofield.
The Committee say they cannot entertain
any doubt as to the motive and purpose of
Ames in contracting to let Congressman
have Credit-Mobilier stock at par when
1t was worth double that sum. He
desired to enlist friends in Congress
to resist any encroachments upon the
privileges already secured, and his purpose
to create In them an interest Identical with
his own is clearly avowed in his letters to
McComb, especially in those in which he
says: II intend placing stock where it will
do most good, and we want more friends in
Congress-" Another letter gives the philos-
ophy OF his action where he says: ~ have
found no difficulty in getting men to look
after their own property" The committee
are satisfied that Ames feared that when the
great profits became known there would be
| those with whom he dealt he did not fear
| any hostile legislation, and the committee
| believe Ames specially designed to secure
the defeat of the efforts of the Washburnes
| of Wisconsin and Illinois to regulate trans
| portations over the Pacific Road and other
measures, and they quote refereace Of
Ames to Washburne, in one of his letters, in
| support of this belief
The evidence in regard to members of the
present House, the committee proceed to
| state, is in some instances painfully conflict
| ing. They find that Speaker Blaine did not
take any stock, although he was recon-
mended to by Ames.
Mr.. Dawes received no other benefit from
his transaction with Ames than ten per cent
upon his money, and after settling with
Ames had no further interest in the stock.
The evidence relative to Mr. Schofield is
rehearsed, showing also that Schofeld gave
up his Credit-Mobilier, but retained 81 900 in
| Union Pacific. The precise terms of the set
tlement are unknown from lack of data, but
since the settlement Schofield has had no in
terest in Credit-Mobilier.
Mr.. Bingham's connection with the matter
was settled by Ames retaining the thirty
| shares of Credit-Mobilier stock and account
| ing to Bingham for such dividend upon it as
| Bingham had not already received. Bingham
was treated as the real owner of the stock
from the time of the agreement late in De-
cember, 1867, to the settlement in February,
| lOlS, ana HaQ Ln6 DenenL OF all the QiVlQenQS
| upon 1t. Neither Ames nor Bingham had
such records OF their dealings as to be able
| to give the precise amounts of these divi-
| dends.
The Committee find that Mr.. Kelley, OF
Pennsylvania, had ten shares OF Credit Mo-
bilier, taken upon the solicitation of Ames,
the latter carrying it for Kelley until the
dividends paid for it, and that on the 2Sd OF
June, 1868, Kelley received 1899 from Ames
in check on the Sergeant-at-Arms. Subse-
quent dividends were paid In Union Pacific
stock or bonds. In September, 1858, Kelley
received $3.50 from Ames, which was under.
stood to be an advance to be paid out of the
dividends; but there has never been any ad
justment Of the matter, aud there Is aE entire
variance in the testimony OF both as to what
this transaction was. Subsequent convorsa
tions and negotiations between them are in
the evidence, but the Committee does not
deem 1t material.
Relative to Mr.. Garfield, the Committee
find the same facts as in Kelley's case to the
point OF the reception OF a check for $500
The Committee do not find that since the
payment of the 1920 there has been any com
munlcation between Ames and Garfield on
the subject till this investigation began
Some correspondence between Garfield and
Ames, and some conversation between them
during the investigation will be found in the
reported testimony.
The Committee state that It appears that
Ames did not give any details Of the rela
tions between the Credit-Mobilier and the
Union Pacific Company, nor did any of the
parties know that dividends would be palC
in stock or bonds of the latter. The Com
mittee say that the Credit-Mobilier was
State corporation, not subject to Congress
ional legislation, and the fact that its prof
its were expected to be derived from thu
building of the Union Pacific Railway die
not apparently create such an interest IL
that company as to disqualify the holder o
Credit-Mobilier stock from participating IL
any legislation affecting the railway com
pany. Ames assured Congressman whel
questioned on the subject, that their owner
ship OF stock would not interfere with thei
legislative duties. The Committee, there
fore, do not find that the CongressmeI
above named were aware OF Ames' object, o.
that they had any other purpose than profit
able Investment. 1t Is apparent that thos
who advanced their money to pay for thei
stock present more OF the appearance o
ordinary investors than those who did not
But the Committee do not feel at liberty Il
find any corrupt purpose or knowledg
, founded upon the fact Of non-paYment alone
The Committee think that members, Il
taking stock, were not sufficiently careful
In ascertaining what they were getting
The Committee find nothing In the conduc
OF the above named members calling for an
recommendations.
The Committee say the case of Mr.. Brook
} stands upon q different state Of facts fron
the others. They rehearse at length tn
} evidence, showing Mr.. Brooks efforts In tn
press and In his official position In behalf 0
the road, and his operations with Durant
etc. After referring at great length to tn
3 evidence relative to Brooks, the Committe
+ say without further comment upon the eyi
5 dence: "The Committee find that one hun
dred and lfty shares OF stock appearing o.
the books of the Credit Mobilier In th
: name OF Nelson were really the stock O
: Brooks, and subject to his control, and tha
1t was understood by both parties. Brook
3 had taken such an interest In the Credit-Mc
D bilier Company and was so connected wit
. Durant that he must be regarded as hayin
full knowledge OF the relations between tins
company and the railway company, and &
the contracts between them. He must hav
r | lrnox.r,, tha oauaa Of tha auddaa aaaa n