The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-02-27

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should discuss the matter III its bearing
particularly upon the man, Mr.. Brooks
He then referred to Mr.. Brooks long
| life OF usefulness in Congress, in jour
naism and in other public positions,
and when man had thus built up a
character hitherto beyond reprosch he
should very closely scan a charge made
when that man was in declining years
of lite.
| Mr.. Voorhse then referred to the
testimony in the case OF Mr.. Brooks. A
man named Mr.. McComb swore that
Brooks demanded stock in order that
he might keep the Democratic side OF
the House right The fact that Mr..
Brooke never attemeted to influence the
Democrats showed the ialsity OF the
charge Tor it was proven that he had
never approached a member on the
subject. He then quoted McCombs
testimony on that subject and argued
that their was an 'irreconcilable dis
cr4pency in it, that McComb's testi.
mony could not be true because the
year before the time Brooks asked for
stock to keep the Democrats straight it
appeared on the books in the name Of
Nelson.
There were other points which showed
that Mr. McComb was unworthy OF be-
lief. Among other things, he wa con
tradicted by John B. Alley, and he
thought Mr.. Alley was as worthy OF
belief as Mr. McComb. He knew It
WAS popular now to csmor against
M. Alley, but he had known Mr. Al
lev for wears; he might be bad man.
but he Voorhees, tad never heard OF
it, Again, Mr. Ames said Mr.. Brooks
never owned the stock; he knew Mr..
Ames WAS now under a cloud, but In all
this irving ordeal the whole country
gave Mr.. Ames credit for Que virtue at
least, and that was this, he spoke the
truth Mr.. Ames had not shielded his
political friends, and why should ne
shield a political enemy? He had
made a statement against some oi the
most prominent Republicans aud he
would not likely have hidden anything
that might appear against Brooks. Mr..
Benjamin F Ham, too, testified that ne
never knew Mr.. Brooks rs -tock hold
er in the Union Pacific railroad or
Credit Mobllier.
Mr.. VOORHEES, also cslled attention
to the fact that in Mr. McComb' suit
against the stockholders be did not in
cude the name OF james Brooks. He
thought the statements OF the letter
were in all respects better supported
and sustained than the statements o.
Mr. McCombs. But there was another
question. Most OF the question seemed
10 turn upon the facts t. st Mr. Brooks
was Government Director, but he
| thought the evidence Was conclusive
that he was interested and anxious 70
get the Stock before he was the Gov
ernment director.
He thought the fact mat Mr.. Brooks
had given the stock to Mr. Nelson
was conclusive proof that be had no
purpose OF fraud. Ii fraud was his
purpose he would not have selected Il
member OF his family as an accomplce
because the connection could be too
clearly traced. | thought the testimony
was clear that Mr. Nelson was the
owner OF the stock, and IN his opinion
the argument OF the Committee that
because the collateral was in Mr..
Brooks safe it was proof against him,
was one unworthy OF the Committee.
He would not accuse the Committee OF
untairness, but be wanted the House to
understand Mr.. Brooks had a-ked !
for some time Tor furtner |
investigation aud the Committee
had refused TO give the time.
They could not say that they had
no time because after Mr. Brooks re-
quest they opened the doors again to
Wee President Colisx. He, VOORHEES,,
didn't mplain OF that for he wanted
all to have an opportunity OF clearing |
their skirts, for reputation was dearer |
than lite. But it there was one man
who should nave had further hearing
it was Mr.. Brooks.
Mr.. Niblack, of Indiana, said the
committee in their judgement did not
consider the additional testimony ma
terial. If they had considered it mate
rial they could have opened the doors
Mr.. Brooks here remarked that two
days after the Committee mad closed
their doors against him they had
opened the door to Coliax.
, Mr. NiblacK ssid Mr.. Brooks had
had all the opportunity during the
progress of the investigation, and the
Committee had called all the witnesses
deemed material. When be made his
last request they had not time to go
further.
Mr. Brooks again remarked that
thev had afterwards opened the door 10
Coltsx.
Mr.. Niblack said the Committee had
acted as in it's discretion seemed best
aud thev were prepared to stand upon
their record.
Mr.. VOORHEES, in conclusion made an
earnest plea 10 behalf OF Mr.. Brooks
not that be plead for mercy but that he
believed his scquiltal WAS demanded
Oy Ju-lce'
Mr. Stevenson, OF Ohio, followed and
said we were here to consider the re-
port extorted by reluctant committee,
whose rule was to temper justice
with mercy. But this committee bad
tenn pered mercy with justice and he was
moi surprised that the committee was
reluctant because the charges incluc ed
the Vice President, Vice President
elect, Speaker OF the House, and the
Chairman OF the most important COM
mittee. 1t was no wonder tbst the
committee was reluctant, because It had
caught the levisthsns OF the great deep
OF politics, and this whoie investigation
showed one OF the most outrageous. rob-
berries that had ever been committed
The chief offender in the case knew +.