The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-06
4 Full Review OF the Credit Mobilicr
Investiga ttOn-What Shall be the
Action or C0ngresss

tain members of Congress, in regard to their
transactions with Cakes Ames in the stock of
the Credit Mobilier, has developed SO many
| facts touching the matter at issue that clear
understanding of the whole case is now pos
sible. In another part of the HERALD we print
letter, which sums up, in a comparatively
brief space, the salient facts so far proved be-
| fore Judge Poland's Committee but our let
ter goes further, and exhibits the causes and
| motives which controlled some of the accused
Congressman in taking the course they chose
| to adopt It was singular course for men
guilty of the offences charged against them
so singular, indeed, that the earlier offence is
overshsdowed by the later crime. The specu-
lations of our correspondent in regard to the
blind following of Speaker Blaine, when he
initiated the policy of denying any dealings
in the stock of the Credit Mobilier, are ingen-
ious, to say the least Of them. Thinking Blaine
as guilty as themselves, it was natural that
they should follow his example and depend
upon his great power and ability in extricat-
ing them from their troubles It was this
blind following of their leader in the beginning
which has overthrown 80 many eminent mem
and our Washington advices inform us that
Blaine does not escape their resentments
In one respect the developments in Con-
gress are very remarkable for while the press
has commented upon the actions Of Senators
and Representatives with much severity and
sometimes with bitterness no member of
either House has yet had the courage to make
personal explanation. At other times slight
charges usually resulted in an answer upon
| the floor. Harlan has not dared to appeal to
the Judgment Of the Senate and the country
upon his dealings with DIR. Durant. The ses-
sion is slipping away, and his term as a Sena-
tor will soon expire, and yet he seems in no
hurry to open his mouth in his own defence.
Caldwell acts upon the principle that the least
said is the soonest mended. Pomeroy is likely
to come and sit down meeky and submissively
J till his term ends. Patterson and Wilson ask
for no Judgment from their peers. Colfax,
seeking to cast dust in the eyes OF his country.
men, has not the courage to demand trial
from the Senate. Dawes, Garfield, Kelley
and the rest have not dared to controvert
single statement in the newspapers. There
have been times when reporters were excluded
IIOul tue PhllcTy lOI TcllSCtiOHS upoA AiC1ADCAo'
That day seems to be past, and members have
no longer the courage to stand up against what
would be abuse were it not so sorrowfully
true.
The HERALp's review of the Credit Mobilier
exposures shows lamentable condition of
public morals. The pretence that members
of Congress had a right to deal in the stock of
| I. A. l. L.
forward in behalf of the accused Congress-
men, and it falls to the ground at the slight
est touch. Admitting the speculative rights
OF Congressman, which at best are very ques-
tionable, it is plain that no honorable and
conscientious man would speculate in the
stocks Of company formed to defraud the
government. The hasty and sweeping denials
of the men who speculated in it show that
these persons felt their actions to be dis
honorable, and entirely disposes of the hollow
preteuce of Cakes Ames when he affects to
regard these transactions as just and proper.
A frank and free statement of the case would
have followed the consciousness Of inno-
cence, but instead there has been much equivo-
cation and some apparently unmistakable false
hoods. The cases of Patterson Colfax, Kelley
and Garfield are especially inexcusable, and de-
mand swift and terrible retribution. Their
offences are not offences to be readily forgiven
or easily forgotten. An honest jury could not
fail to convict them on the testimony already
adduced. Why, then, should an honest Con-
gress fail to punish them? The country will
demand this of Congress and the republican
marty and fhopn 10 mn N ovado the 6ptv
If this duty is not performed without fear and
without favor the result will be the dissolution
of the party in power and the punishment of
all who withhold punishment from the guilty.
The question Of the hour, then, is simply,
What shall be the action of Congress? The
necessity of the punishment is apparent, and
its character is the only thing to be deter
mined. This ought to prove no very difficult
problem. The American people recognize a
difference in the guilt of the accused persons,
and consequently there ought to be difference
in their retribution. In the courts the criminal
charged with his first offence who pleads
guilty is not SO severely dealt with as
the more hardened offender who traverses the
issue and takes the chances of Judgment But
the plea of guilty is only o mitigation of the
! punishment, and justice must be done in any
event. AS regards the congressman who have
admitted their dealings in the stock Of the
Credit Mobilier the country will be satisfied
with their designations This much, at least,
is due from them to the constituents whom
they have misrepresented. Anything short of
it will not satisfy the people. This is appar-
ent from the feeling in this city, where the
proper person to succeed James Brooks is q
subject of general conversation and almost
open action. Already a number of persons are