Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-02-26

The committee discuss, at some length,
what should be the position Of Congressman
in relation to subjects likely to come before
Congress, they believing no member has
right to disqualify himself without some
higher motive than merely to make pro6ta-
bic Investments. This country, say the
committee, is becoming filed with gigantic
and powerful corporations, and notorious
in many State Legislatures. These in
duences are often controlling and, in effect,
are the ruling power Of the State. Con-
gress has, TO some extent, within few
years, been brought under similar influences,
bringing great discredit. There were facts
to justify the public belief The belief is
too general that the use Of money to carry
public measures is legitimate. No Con-
gresham should place himself in circum-
stances Of suspicion. II is Of the highest
Importance that the National Legislature
should be free Of taint Of corruption, and
equally important that the people should
feel confident that il is 40. People will
not respect the laws if they lose respect for
the lawmakers The committee think that
the members in taking the stock, were not
sufficiently careful in ascertaining what
they we're getting The committee find
nothing in the conduct of the above named
members calling for any recommendation.
The committee say the case Of Mr.. Brooks
stand upon a different state Of facts than
the others. They rehearse, at length, the
evidence showing Brooks efforts in the
press, aud in his official position, in behalf
Of the road, and his operations with Durant
& Co.
After referring at great length to the
evidence relative to Brooks the committee
say, without further comment upon the ev-
ideuce, that they find that $50 shares Of
stock appearing on the books of the Credit
Mobiler in the name Of Nelson, were
really stock Of Brooks, and subject to his
CONTROL and that it was understood by both
parties. Brooks had taken such an inter-
est in the Credit Mobilier Company and
was so connected with DR.. Durant, that be
must be regarded as having full knowledge
of the relations between that company and
the railroad company, aud of contracts be-
tween them. He must have known the
cause of the sudden increase in the value
of the Credit Mobiler stock, and how large
the expected profits we're to be made. We
have already expressed our views Of the
propriety Of q member Of Congress becom-
ing the owner of stock but Mr.. Brooks
was not only member of Congress, he
was government director in the Union
Pacific Company. As such, il was his
duty to guard and watch over the interests
of the government in the road, aud to see
that they were protected and preserved
i r. f.fttf,lnaaa tho ri If
government directors, Congress very wisely
provided that they should not be stock
holders.
Mr.. Brooks readily saw that, though be-
coming stockholder in the Credit Mobilier
was not forbidden by the letter of the law,
yet was a violation Of the spirit and essence,
and, therefore, had the stock placed in tho
name Of his son-in.law. The transfer Of
Oakes Ames contract to the trustees Of the
road under the contract from which the
enormous dividends were all derived, was
all during Brooks official life as Govern
ment director; must have been within his
knowledge, and yet passed without the
slightest opposition from him. The COM
{ mittee believe this could not have been
t done without entire disregard Of his official
;, obligations and duty, aud that while ap-
e poiuted to guard the public interest in the
d road, he Joined himself with the promoters
70 of the scheme whereby the government wa.
t. to be defrauded and shared in the spoils
10 10 conclusion of facts upon the evidence
Pc the committee discuss. at great length. tb,
m jurisdiction of the House over its mem
d. bers, concluding that the facts in the pres
1t cnt cases amply justify the taking of juris
le diction for the following reasons:
IN The subject-matter upon which the ac-
s. ton of members was inteuded to be infiu-
d enced was of continuous character, and
/ was as likely to be the subject Of congress
{ sional action in the future in this Congress
as in the fortieth. The influences brought
e to bear on the members were as likely to
e be operative upon them in future as in the
J present and were SO intended. Ames and
D Brooks have both continued members Of
. the House to the present time, and SO have
I most of the members upon whom these intu-
5 ences we're sought to be exerted. The commit.
/ tee are therefore of opinion that the acts OF
= these men should very properly be treated
e as offenses against the present House, and
: so within its jurisdiction upon the most
+ limited rule. Two members Of the com.
+ mttee, Niblack and McCrary, prefer to
e express no opinion on the general Jurisdic-
;. tional questions discussed in the report, and
Q form their judgment on the ground last
l. stated In relation to Ames, he sold to
t, several members of Congress stock Of the
l. Credit Mobilier Company at par, when
worth double that amount, or more, with
IS the purpose and intent thereby to inhu-
y ence their votes and decisions upon mat
y ters to come before Congress.
J. The facts found in the report as to Brooks
% showed that be used his influence and his
IL official positions as member Of Congress and
l. government director Of the Union Pacific
It Railroad Company in favor Of that COM
ID pany after he had received Credit Mobilier
d stock at par, when it was worth three or
t, four times that sum, knowing 1t was given
N to him with the intent to influence his vote
re and decision in Congress, and his action as
&c government director. The sixth section OF
m the act of February 26th, 1868 10 Stat.
Or u. s., Y is in the following words " Ii
Of any persons or persons shall directly or in
We directly promise, offer, or give, or procure to
e. be promised, offered or given, any money,
ii. goods, rights in action, bribe, present, or
sY reward, or any promise, contract, or under
ut taking, obligation or security, for payment
of or delivery Of any money, goods, right III
NJ action, bribe, present or reward, or any
ny other valuable thing whatever, to any mem
en- Der of the Senate or House Of Represents.
&C. tiyes of the United States, after his election
Ter as such member, and either before or after
he shall have qualified and taken his seat
at or to any officers of the United States, OF
,se to persons holding any place Of trust, o.
ir. profit, or dscharging any official function
ri. under or in connection with any department
"a. Of government of the United States, afte
ir- the passage of this act, with intent to in
lit huence his vote, or decision, on any ques
Ic- ton, matter, cause, or proceeding, which
it may then be pending, or may be by law, Of
,ht under the Constitution of the United States
as be brought before him in his official capaci
he ty or in his place of trust or profit, an'
We shall thereof be convicted, such person O
RS, persons SO Offering. promising or giving
ny or causing, or procuring to be promised
M offered or given, any such money, goods