Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-01-11
SPAIN AND CUBA.


Sickles several weeks ago, that he must
advise the Spanish government that its
failure to keep its agreement in relation
to emancipation in Cuba, and the long
,lects which the American government is
exercised about, and unless Spain does
better there will be u change of action and
feeling in the administration and people
about Cuban affairs. The tone of the Sec
rctary's letter indicates that he is in ear
nest.
THE PITH OF THE INTES TIGAT TON
The clamor over the Credit Mobilier in
vcstigation is created more by the manner
and personal antagonisms of some of the
principal actors in it than by disclosures
yet made proving criminality on the part
of the Congressman against whom charges
were originally made. The Credit Mobi-
ier was company chartered in Pennsyl
vania, the stockholders and managers of
which were stockholders and managers in
the Union Pacific Railroad Company The
latter company could not contract to build
the Union Pacific road, but as the stock
holders conceived the building would be a
profitable JOB and desired to retain it in
their own hands, they organized new
company under the Credit Mobilier char
ter, and became contractors and builders
of the road. This was the origin and
purpose of the Credit Mobiler, with which
the Congressman inculpated probably had
as little to do as regulating the course of
the tides
In the course of the building of the road,
which was a gigantic undertaking and at
tended with serious difficulties, some three
hundred and seyenty-fve shares of stock
were placed by the Credit Mobilier direct
ors in the hands ofOakes Ames, to be sold
and disposed of as in his judgment would
be for the interest Of the company. This
stock was offered to members Of Congress.
A few shares were offered to Mr.. Blaine,
who declined taking it. Some were Offer
ed to Mr.. Boutwell,. and he too declined to
invest in it. Senator Wilson invested two
thousand dollars of money belonging to
his wife in the stock, but when he after
wards learned there were lawsuits about
it he gave up his stock and received his
money back. Mr.. Dawes invested thou
sand dollars, but like Senator Wilson, gave
back his stock and received his money
again. Mr.. Colfax invested but after
wards backed out at some loss to his own
pocket. Whether there were any that
continued to hold stock does not appear,
unless we are to believe the statement of
McComb about Brooks, which makes him
the largest and permanent investor.
The manner in which the charges were
first represented left the impression that
these shares of stock were given away,
that no money was paid for them, but that
they were presented purely as Il bride and
must have been so understood by those who
received them. The testimony of the wit
nesses in the investigation is that the
shares We're paid for at par in cash. Dawes,
Wilson, Colfax and all paid for their stock
None was given TO them without an equiv
alent in money, which is Il very different
thing from the idea circulated that these
shares were gifts intended to bride the
members who received them to use their
influence for the company. Mr.. Blaine
says in his testimony that although shares
were offered him he had no thought
it was intended to bride him. The COM
pany was not asking or needing legisla-
ton, and has had little or none of any con-
sequence since the time these transactions
occurred.
The pith of the investigation SO far as
Congress is concerned is as to the motives
which actuated the members who bought
| the shares. And there will be little doubt
in the minds of most people that neither
| Henry Wilson, Dawes or Colfax and 9TH
ers in the list ofthose who took the stock,
had thought of selling their votes and
influence to the company. They neither
saw nor suspected improperly in the tran
saction, any more than taking the stock
ofany railroad company. But there was
difficulty grew up between McComb and
Ames and lawsuits were entered into.
Then McComb threatened Ames with an
exposure his selling shares to Congress
men, in order to bring him to his terms.
Ames delied him, and so with Jerry Black