Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-03-07
THE SR.y.sTORErL SI.,.vBRs.


The report of the senatorial committee,
reviewing the evidence against the mem
bers of that body implicated in the Credit
Mohiier business, Is, on the whole, the best
piece of work yet done by any investigat-
ing committee of the present Congress. 1t
gives the facts in their disagreeable barren
ness, and makes the plain, obvious COM
ment of common sense and moral honesty,
mildly and kindly, but firmly.
Thus, as to Mr.. Vice President Wilson, it
says che does not seem to have been well
informed as to the character of the Credit
Moblier, nor does it appear that he had
reason to suppose that Mr.. Ames had any
other motive in urging him to purchase
stock in it than that of personal friendship"
Consequently they don't believe that his
independence as legislator was affected
by the transaction. Still, they feel con-
strained "to remark that on the 18th oflast
September, he authorized dispatch to be
sent to the public press, which in effect
was regarded as an unqualified denial that
he had ever obtained from Cakes Ames or
any other person the slightest interest in
the Credit Mobilier, and that this dispatch
was calculated to convey to the public an
erroneous impression" Now we call that
pretty neat, and "Our Henry must accept
the rebuke.
In Mr.. Harlan's case, the committee 81 m
up the facts, THAT Mr.. Durant, the vice
president OF the Union Pacific railroad
company, a corporate creation of Congress,
which would probably be again the subject
of legislation, contributed $4,000 with the
avowed purpose of its being used in secur-
ing MIR. Harlan to the Senate of the United
States, he being at the time of its receipt
the secretary of the interior" Upon which
the com mittee proceeds to comment that
this discloses an evil upon which it can
not too severely animadvert. The use Of
large sums of money TO influence either
popular or legislative elections strikes di-
rectly at the fundamental principle of re-
publican government. 1t excludes merit
from public place, and undermines the
public and private virtue upon which alone
republican institutions can stand. 1t can
not be concealed that it is one of the threat
ening dangers to the permanence of our
government, and one which calls for the
popular rebuke, which can come only, and
should come speedily, from the united
voice of the virtuous citizens of the repub-
lie, uttered at every stage of governmental
action, from the highest to the lowest.
While this receipt and use of money is
thus open TO censure, the evidence adduced
to prove that Senator Harlan was influence
ed by the gift thus made to him failed TO
establish any such results.
Mr.. Patterson's case is fully reviewed
and thus plainly summed up: The COM
mittee cannot escape the conclusion that he,
being a senator of the United States in 1867,
contracted with Mr.. Cakes Ames, then and
still member of the House of Represent
atives, for the purchase OF 30 shares in the
stock of the Credit Mobilier of America,
at rates greatly below its esteemed value,
and subsequently, in the year 1860, dealt
with Mr.. Ames, to a large amount, in the
stock and bonds of the Union Pacific, for
the purpose of profit, and disposed of the
same stock in the markets of New York,
with the knowledge of the character of the
Credit Mobiier, and of its relations to and
connection with the Union Pacific railroad
company; and, further, that he had knowl-
edge of the interest of Mr.. Ames in, and
his connection with, said companies; also
that the object of Mr.. Ames in this dealing
with him was TO secure the friendly recog-
milton of the interests of said companies,
and his own interests therein, and to infiu-
ence his action as a senator in matters OF
legislation affecting the same and furt her,
being inquired of in relation thereto be-
fore committees of both branches of Con-
| gress, he gave false account of transac-
| tons between himself and Mr.. Ames, sup
| pressed material facts and denied the ex-
istence of other material facts, which must
| have been known to him.
All the members of the committee, both
| republicans and democ rats, signed the re-
port, which concludes with recommends
| ton that Mr.. Patterson be expelled. The
report, both in detail and substance, seems
to have boon surprise TO all parties, and
Harlan and Patterson especially take its
judgments against them to thanksgiving
field Republican.