Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1873-02-24
THE POLAND REPORT.

TALLY anticipated by the public. OF this
character is the history given of the Cred
it Mobilier organization In this con-
nection it will be seen that full credit is
givenato Cakes Ames for lifting the Pa
ciic Railroad out Of its desperate condi-
ton, and changing it from a failure into
success The signers of the report are
also pleased to admit that Mr.. Ames did
not use any special agency or effort to
induce members to take the stock of the
Credit Mobilier. Whenever they ex-
pressed any fears that the investment
might interfere with their official duties,
he Quoted them by stating that no more
legislation was needed, in which he spoke
truthfully. He merely wished to zen
list strength and friends in Congress,
who would resist any encroachments up
on or interference with the rights and
privileges already secured" With re-
gard to transactions of the members en-
braced in the inquiry, it is conceded that
after all, the evidence is painfully con
ficting."
There is nothing particularly new, Ell
ther, in regard to the names most prom
inently connected with the investigation.
Mr.. Blaine never had any stock. Mr..
Dawes contracted for some, and received
one dividend, but in December, 1869,
withdrew from all connection with the
matter. Messrs. Schofeld Bingham,
| Kelley and Garfield were all owners at
and for different periods. 1t appears
that these gentlemen had no other OBJ
ject but to make proftab BILE investments;
and their surrender Of the stock was for
reasons threatening injury Ito the in
vestments although the Committee can
not but think that the extraordinary
dividends must have awakened suspicious
as to the doubtful character of the trans
action. None of them appear to have
been biased in their Congressional &C
ton. Mr.. Ames's carrying the stock of
these members is susceptible of expla-
nation, from the value of the trusteeshp
attaching to the stock, and Mr.. Combs
suit, which made it an object with him
to keep as much stock as possible in his
own hands. is'
The Committee severely characterize
the Credit Mobilier as contract of the
Pacific R. R. Company with themselves
to build the road and fix the price high
enough to require the issue of bonds to
the full extent, and then to divide the
bonds, or the proceeds, under the name
of profits on contract. 1t was without
necessity, without excuse and would
leave no excuse to any legislator enter
ing it with full knowledge. The Com.
mittee branch off into some thoughtful
observations on the political influence Of
great corporations, and return to say that
, they make no criticism on the above
named Congressman, except that they
were "not sufficiently careful in ascer
, tanning what they were getting" Mr.
;, James Brooks stood in an entirely diff
erent category. AS Government Di
rector of the road he must have know
all the circumstances of the Credit Mo
bilier, while he was under double obi
CATION to watch over its interests. Tn
Committee find him the real owner of tn
e stock he pretended to assign to his son
: in-law, and that it was given to him 70
q his official and political influence Som
of the statements bearing upon his cas-
: are new and serious.
7 The Committee make a long argument
q quite technical in part in respect to tn
b true character of expulsion and of tn
right Of the House to apply it for act
: committed previous to the present Con
gress. 1t will make different impress
9 sion upon different minds. The upsho
4 of the whole is, that they recommen'
= the adoption of resolutions in favor 0
: the expulsion of Cakes Ames and Jane
p Brooks for their conduct in the premises
n THE RESOLUTIONS OF EXPULSION.
" WHEREAS Cakes Ames, a Represents
% tive in this House from the state of Mas
: sachusetts, has been guilty of selling
70 members of Congress shares of stock
: the Credit Mobilier of America for price
q much below the true value of such stool
$ with the intent thereby to influence tt
] votes and decisions of such membel
on matters to be brought before Coz
50 gress for action.
5. Resolued, That Mr.. Cakes Ames
ID and is hereby expelled from his seat ;
at member of this House. ig
Ie Second. Whereas, Mr.. James Brook
3 Representative in this House from Il
in state Of New York, did procure q
of Credit Mobilier company to issue al
or deliver to Mr.. Charles III. Nelson #
the use and benefit of said Brooks
n shares of the stock of said company at
ms price much below its real value, kno'
,r. ing that the same was SO issued and d
ID livered with the intention to infuen
ne the vote and decision of said Brooks,
rv a member of the House, on matters
of be brought before Congress for actio
ed and also to influence the action of sa
- Brooks as a Gnvernment Director. IN +