Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-02-21
THE CREDIT MoBILrER REPORT AND COL
McCOMB.


McCOMB.
The report of the Poland Committee is of es-
peciAl interest in it's conclusive justification OF
Colonel McComb. This gentlemanis is promi-
nent and active citizen Of Wilmington, whose en-
terprises have in various ways contributed TO
the general prosperity of our city. He has es-
tablished here great business, in his own name,
and is an interested partner in others. He is
now the presiding officer Of our Board OF Trade,
a Director in one Of our largest banking instltu-
tions. and President of the Board Of Trustees of
Delaware College. Though conducting great
works of public improvement in other States, his
home remains in Wilmington, and he has added
not aslittIe to the embellishment of our city, in
the attractions of his own residence, while he
has joined-perhaps We should say led-in the
erection of the elegant new hotel, from whose
attractions and accommodations We expect 50
much good to result to the general interests OF
the city.
Under these circumstances, we should be un-
Just did we not particularly remark the crafty
ing result of the recent investigation, far as it
relates to our townsman. At the outset his
name was branded as that of person unworthy
OF belief, and his word was impugned at every
step. II was the first impulse of those who felt
themselves guilty or at least awkwardly inyoly-
cd according as their offence was that of cor
ruption, OF only OF falsehood - to feel that if
Colonel McComb's value as witness could be
destroyed, the investigation would be broken
down, and there is a strong reason to believe
that when the Committee met, and Colonel Nc
Comb repaired to Washington, upon the impera-
tive summons of the Sergeant-at-Arms, Qor he
did not go until this was made upon him. that
there was deep-laid and well-organized conspl-
raey to destroy his reputation to brand the whole
inquiry as unnecessary and founded upon false
statements, and, under the influence OF Mr..
Brooks sweeping denial, and passionate aceusa-
tions to pass resolution through the House
discharging the Committee. This would have
left all the transactions now discovered involved
in obscurity. 1t would have been an assertion
that the statements of Colonel McComb were
false and vile. 1t would have put him into a
Purgatory, from which escape would indeed have
been difficult.
This conspiracy, however, failed. The testi-
money of Colonel McComb, though fiercely at
tackled at every step, could not be broken down.
The up-turned eyes of the pious Mr. Alley, and
the concerted CALCULATIONS of 30, what
lie ~ from himself and. Mr.. Ames as each reply
to the questions Of the Committee was made by
Col Mc0omb, failed Of effect. The demeanor
Of the party who had organized against him was
rapidly modified, and though there were some
sharp verbal engagements, and rapid inter
changes of personal remark, the drift of all was
steadily and strongly against Messrs. Ames and
Alley.
Finally, comes the report of the Committee
Every allegation of Col McComb is supported
and sustained. 1t appears that he has said no
one word more than the testimony justified, ant
from all the flames Of the investigation, he
comes without even q seorching.
Here, it is proper to say again, that the posi-
tien Of Col. MeComb, in all this affair, has nc
been that Of prosecutor, or an infol mer, or eve
Of willing witness. The origin of the invest
cation, we all remember, was the publication o
extracts from the testimony taken in the Philf
delphia lawsuit. These extracts. as has bee
moro than once stated were obtained secretly
and without the knowledge Of Col. McComt
Nay,we are enabled to say, further than this, tina
they were actually stolen from the Office of tn
Commissioner, by professional burglars EN-
ployed for the purpose, by parties in New York
Their publication surprised and annoyed Colont
McComb. Unfortunately, he could not den
their authenticity. They became the gossip O
the day they were sought to be used for polit
cal effect it was intended to defeat the RI
publican candidate for the Presidency b
the influence they exerted on the pul
lie mind All this was against the wish an
10,
ences, though not strongly partisan, were warn
ly in favor of the reelection of President Gran
and he could only regret the circumstances
which any testimony of his was made avallab
against that result.
1t is to be remembered, too, that Colon
Mcoomb's evidence, except in the case of M
Brooks, never went farther than the productic
of Oakes Ames letters. In them, Ames sa
he had placed the stock in the hands of eerta
Congressman. These letters were produce
Col. McComb did not say they were reliable
he said, only, that they were the genuine letse
of Oakes Ames. Nor did he say they We
evidences of bribery he made NO sul
charge, or even such insinuation. As to n
Brooks. alone, who was not me
toned in the letters, had he any personal know
edge, and his evidence in that regard at Ill
savagely assailed, was established and sustaine
word by word, to the end. This is a poi
highly important to be remembered. Color
McComb desires no noreputaticn as an an inform
or volunteer investigator he pursues his P
vate business. and only produced the Ames
tiers, in the prosecution, before legal tnbun
of what he esteems his private rights WhC
by the commission of crime, they We're stol
and published, and when upon their diaclosur
Congressional investigation was ordered
came to the witness stand under the comp
sion of law, and under the necessity of prov
to the country that he was no periurer but (
whose statements in the case were all truc
tho letter. And this has been proven.
1t ia believed that Congress can dispose o.
the important business before March 4th,