Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-02-11
That Memorandum Book.

Judge POidnU-- committee room was packed
this morning. in expectation of Cakes Ames
and his memorandum book, but neither were
at hand at the hour of meeting, and the rumor
ran around the room that ~
$40 back - - sTH. was likely to
r-- Inen" after all. Eleven O'Clock
came and no Ames, and then Sergeant at Arms
OrdWay was sent to look him up. Presently he
returned with the missing witness. HYou are
rather late. Mr.. AmeS," said Judge Poland
with as near an air of impotence is apt to
come over that imperturbsble chairman.
eyes, I am rather Late
said MIR. AI.es, without explaining why he was
late. Ames looked the worst for wear since he
last appeared in the committee room, being
hsggard and pale, and his hands trembled yisi-
HI as ne handled documents before him. Indge
Poland proceeded. '.Mr. Ames, have YOU your
original memorandum book?" Mr. Ames an
swered with a somewhat discomPOsed air unu-
Susl with him that he had it, but acting under
the advice of his COUNSEL had concluded that he
ought not to produce it until Mr.. Colfax had
put in his threatened evidence impeaching his
(AmcsO testimony. Judge Poland urbanely
Indicated TO Mr.. Ames that the committee
thought differently and would require
him to produce the book. Mr.. Ames
then stated, very much to the disgust of the
inpatient audience. and to the apparent dis
Snll>tdtNlOu VI TIC CUlIuiitlSt. tNiN ut lett
the book with friend,' and that this friend
was at the other end of the city. Being further
questioned, he SAID this friend was at the
Arlington, and that his name was Horace F.
Clark. Judge Poland. with a slight flavor OF
aCerbity in his tone. directed the sergeant-at-
arms 20 be summoned, in order to go for the
missing man. OF the missing book. Ames then
slowly wrote note to Clark, which was given
70 Ordway.
MT. Ordway Ito Poland $50 Do you want Mr.
Clark, OF the book
Judge Poland (exploeivelyl-"I want THE
BOOK" Great laughter.l
Then Ordway departed. and the committee.
the witnesses and tie accused sat looking at
each other rather foOlishly, having nothing to
do, and feeling not in the best of tempers all
around. For instance, Mr.. Colfax and Mr.
Ames sat Just opposite each other. and each
apparently wished the other further. Then
hIr. Ames, in miscellaneous sort OF way,
a. il TO Kill time put his hand careessly into one
OF his numerous pooh cts. and pule, ont a memo
Tandum book. then he made a dive into another
pocket and out came another memorandum
hook. All ewes were turned hopefully alto. A.
a. If something might turn up, and Judge
Poland noticing the fact, inquired: s'Have YOU
the originals there of any of the books?'' Ames.
however. threw cold water upon public expec-
tstion by declaring that he had a book or two
with him. but not The book, which was for the
wear 1865. These books were examined
Or certain pages marked by turned down
leayes-but nothing iii particular developed.
Finally Ordway's tau form was seen struggling
through the crowd towards Judge Poland with
whom he whispered for a moment, and then it
stated, amidst an explosion of laughter,
that AlT. Clark had been found tat l. M but
that he declined 10 come with the memorandum
book until he had got his breakfast. Apparent
IL Mr.. Clark and his client hoped to tire the
committee out, but they reekoned on false
premises Judge Poland announced his pur-
pose to ''stick" until The Book was produced.
Wei. after another recess. Mr.. Clark, having
ltisurely breakfasted, made his appearance and
entered upon speech in behalf of his
client (AmeSl 20 show that Gin behalf of
public decenoy' it not proper that
the investigation should rake out all
the entries OF this memorandum book
Then, the committee being inc xorable. the book
an oTdinary-sized diary for IS5S, was produced
The entries in il seemed TO be seravling memo
TaHda written with pencil, and to run past til
printed diary dates, 20 that the book contained
memoranda iOr 1S.S- well a. lSiss. The closest
attention was given the credit mObiler en-
tries affecting members of Congress were read.
but the developments did not come up to
expectation; the only new matter
any special import being entry. Jan
uary, 1S69, of $3.50 paid Schuyler Colfax i'm
certificate bonds. with interest on the same in
cash to the amount Of SIS. This entry Mr.
Ames seemed unwilling to have read until Mr.
Colfax should have put in his evidence. He was
questioned by Judge Poland if he had found any
receipts from Mr.. ColfaN, and answered in low
tone that he had not a. vet. This admission
served to give the friends of Mr.. Colfax consid-
cradle satisfaction, and altogether the devel-
opments OF the famous memorandum book, as
far a. brought out, 10 not seem to DC ~ momen-
tous as was predicted.