Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-02-26
The MObilier Debate.

Mr.. Poland analysed the evidence and
showed that the value of Credit Mobilier
stock was between 200 and 800 per cent
above par He then asked why this sudden
charity on the part OF Ames? He found the
answers in the letters of Ames to McComb,
especially in the statements that he had
sought to place the stuck where " it would
do the most good" That he desired to have
more friends in Congress, because Congress
men would be more likely to look after legis
lation in which they are personally interested.
Ames' entire proceeding was based upon the
Scriptural theory that " where a mans
treasure is, there will his heart be also,
principle to which a carnal Interpretation
was gwen. Ames practically made IL gift to
every Congressman receiving this stock, of
the difference between the cash value and
the amount paid. He did this with intent
This action was especially significant in view
Of the 4" Wdshburn move which was an
express measure then pending before Con-
gress. This action OF MIR. Ames was an act
of bribery, for which under the act of 1853
he could have betn sent to the penitentiary.
Although each member receiving stock was
entirely ignorant If Ames's intent, the
knowledge or ignorance of tie members is
lmmaterlal IN determining the fact OF bribery
on the part of Ames; and ignorance of Grim
inality Ames himself is no excuse. lie
may not plead defense forbidden to the
vagrant thief. millionaire has no prerog-
alive to which the humblest Criminal is not
entitled
Mr.. Brooks interrupted Judge Poland to
deny the date assumed by the Committee as
the beginning OF his term of Office as Govern
ment director.
Jaaloro1 bo - l.:
right hand rather than mlsrep1e.ent Mr..
Brooks, but the Committee were firm in
their opinion concerning the initial date of
his dictatorship
Mr.. Poland reviewing the case of Mr.
Brooks, insisted that the evidence showed
that Brooks was the real owner of the stock
and Nelson the merest figure head
La arraignlng Mr. Brooks. Mr. Poland
turned directly towards Brooks who sat fac
Ing him in an adjacent seat, and who, as the
argument proceeded further, listened without
the slightest emotion or visible agitation Mr..
Poland, at the conclusion of his hour, was
granted an additional halt hour.
Poland insisted that the action of Brooks
could not be explained except by lmputlng
i'm proper motives to him.
At this point, Brooks began no take notes
Mr.. Poland sarcastically referred to the
Butler report of Monday as something that
was ca led report of the Judiciary Commit
tee and then proceeded to reply to Butler S
'urisdictional argument. Poland declared
that his committee differed from the Butler
report They deny that any such law exists,
and trust that there never Will They deny
the right of Massachusetts to send such a
Christian statesman as it pleases, and to
compel Congress to take him to the bosom of
the lawmakers For himself be thought it
nt eded such ingenuity as invented the Credit
Mobller machinery to discover the plea of
yesterday.
Poland denied the existence of pTecedents
against his views, and cited two parliament
tary precedents ia his favor He claimed
that the House has the full powers of the
Ehghsh Parliament and supp jrted his state
ment by referring to the decIsion Of the Su-
preme Court OF Massachusetts,.
The question having come up whether Pc
land time should be extended, Gen Butler
insisted that Poland had promised to dlvi le
bis time but If he went on much lonyer he
must divide eternity.
Poland did not ct another half hour.
Cakes AmPs b-ing entitled to the floor, Mr.
Mcpherson, Clerk ot the House, began the
reading oil his statement, which is an arran ye-
ment OF facts in legal form. 1t is denied
that bribery can exist except some person is
bribed, and for some specific subject An IN
tert st cannot constitute bribery. The theory
OF continuance of the otftnse to subst quent
Congresses is deemed absurd It presumes
that Ames must be chronic, continued Of
teuder TO the end OF time or so lonr "a a
share OF Credit Mobilier continues in exist
ence, the recipients are forever guilty, the do
nor an eternal criminal. lie makes no CHARGES
against any one. He simply would follow
absurd theories to their Logical conclusion.
| The recipient of an intentional bride. whether
| ignorant OF the motive or otherwise is eouaIIv
guilty with it's Intentional donor. The letters
to McCouIb were written to show him tina +
Ames was selling stock 10 small amounts To
his friends and could spare more to McCumb
for his friends. lie took the stock as trustee
and It would have been an otfense and breach
OF trust to ave sold it for more than par yalue
Ames sOlemnly declares that in writinp the
McComb letters be never had any intent Ia
bride. The small amounts offered. the fac,
that he never urged the purchase, and the
publicity OF his action, should dsarm all
suspicion OF bribery. His past public career
on which there has been no stain, his use full.
ness to mankind, should free him from all
such. The conditions under which the road
was built seem tt have been forgotten. Tue
Uniform testimony OF railroad men shows thai
the profits were not unusual 1t would have
heen better Tor himself had he never heard OF
the ni0n Faclhc. The Government has tc
date saved IN transportation OF the mails three
millions; III transportation OF army supplies
SIX millions; IN other respects sums which
make a total saving to the Government q
| tIVhlVp millions anH in ba
the maturity of the bonds will have saved
slxty-four millions, an excess OF six million,
over all Liabilities assumed by the Govern.
ment. These are only the material adv.ot
ages resulting to the Government from tbe
road.
A somewhat rhetorical description of the
benefits of the Pacific road follows. embrac.
ing The increased export of metals. the de.
struction OF polygamy, and the annihiatIou
or civilization OF savage tribes.
Mr.. Ames concluded his defense with an
eloquent paragraph, reciting that for the
causes enumerated he had risked his fortune
reputation, eve ythlng, in this most hazard
Gus en- erprlse that he had endeavored to
strengthen the enterprise by attempting to
interest the pubic IN it; that he had been
Wiling to share with some 10 public life op-
portunltles OF possible profits that he had
never denied anything, concealed anything.
reserved anything; that it was now desired
that he should be sacrificed to appease public
clamor, and to explate the sins of others.
Until such sacrifice is made he will not
believe it possible, and in case the Offering
is made he appeals to the impartial verdict
OF history for his Wind cation.
Mr.. Farnsworth followed Cakes Ames in a
short speech. lie insist 20 that Ames could M
more commit bribery without knowledge and
intent on both sides, than one person can