Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1873-02-04
CREDIT MOBILIER.
BAD BeVeiopmenis--- Damaging Testimony
against Wee Ps~.idsns .olfax-H~
Seeks 60 Explain.


The developments before the
House committee to investigate the
connection of Congressman and 9th
ers with the receipt of stocks and
moneys from the Credit MObiier.
Union Pacific, and other companies
on Tuesday, were of the most sen
sational character, and caused great
excitement in Washington, as, il
deed, through the country wherever
the evidence given has been read.
We copy from the Washington dis
patches of that d2y (28lb) to the In
ter Ocean the following relating to
these recent disclosures made by the
committee
THE CASE OF VICE PRESIDENT COLFAX
The cast of Wee President Coltax
is uppermost 10 all minds. 1t will
DO remem bered that last week the
Vice President stated on oath TO
Judge Poland's mmittee that he
had not received 81 200 from Oakes
Amcs in June, 1868, that Ames'
checks upon the Sergeant-at- Arms
for that amount in favor Of IS. c."
had never seen him that be was
positive Of this, because he could
not possibly have received thai
amount of money from any source
without recollecung il. To-day the
books of the Frat National Bank
OF Washington were produced, and
Coltax's accounts were examined
There were over 100 people in the
committee room when the cashier
opened his books to the pages where
Mr.. Coltax's accounts were recorded
There was a perfect hush in the
room as the members of the com
mittee ran over the dates and
amounts. When Judge Poland
pointed out 10 the cashier a sum ni
8 968 63 deposited June %, 1868
and asked the cashier TO produce
the deposit ticket for it, the still
ness became oppressive, and when
the ticket Was produced and found
TO be IN Mr.. Colfax's hand writing,
and the first item entered was bank
notes of 81 200, no one spoke or
moved or seemed to breathe for a
time, which appc are 10 all fall
minute, and for several minutes
atterward all movements and tones
and impressions in the room were
such as are seldom seen or heard ex.
cept in presence Ofdeath. The circum-
stan ial evidence, therefore il as fol
lows: Ames swears that be drew a
check on the Sergeant-st-Arms in
favor Of IS. G." for 81 200 on the
goth of June. 1868, aud gave it to
Colfax in payment of the Credi'
Mobilier dividend the Sergeant-at-.
Arms produced the check, dated
June 20, and shows that il was cash
ed on the 2lst, and charged TO Ames'
account; on the 22i Colfax Deposit
ed exactly 81 200 in cash in the
hank The following ia the testi-
mony:
II. c. Swain, cashier of the First National
Bank of ihIs district, was the next witness
sworn, and in answer TO a quest ion BY Judge
Poland stated that he had brought the books
of the bank with him containing the account
OF Schuyler Cofax in answer 10 the summons.
Upon turning 20 the account Of Coliax Judge
Poland asked the following questions
@ State whether II appears upon Your
books that Co.fax made deposit on The 22d
Of June 1868.
A. Yes, sir; sl,9es.6s, TGreot sensa-
ton.
Q. Well, what other deposits were made
IN June and July ?
A. June p, s2,96s. SO July 7. $500 :
July 8, $l50j July IL, $l,543.87. (sensa.
tion.)
@. Would the entry on ihi, ledger indicate
whether the deposits were IN cash or checks?
a. No, sir.
TIE witness then produced the following
certificate OF deposit, upon being requested 10
40 so
Deposited with the First National Bank
by Schuyler Coliax June p. 1868, Umteo
States and bank notes, 8 200; checks as iol.
lows; $3.50, SIS. 90, aud $500; total, 81 ,96s.-
3d."
In justica to Mr.. Colfax il should
be stated that in face of all this cir
cumstantial evidence be still insists
bat be never bad check from Mr.
Ames, and never received it's pro-
ceeds. When be heard the ev idence
given, be at once declared /, his pnr-
pose to ask the Senate for an in.
vesIigaJion, ana Immediately after
the reading of the Journal he rose up
10 the char and said
SENATORS Before commencing the morn.
ing business ! ask your inuugei CO for few
remarks personal 10 myself 10 my relation 10
this body as It's presiding officer. Grave
charges affecting NY character as man, are !
before the American PEG, lie, and do not I'M |
derrate the circumstdntis evidence by which |
they are supported, But conscious OF nv m |
uocence and OF my rectIlude, respectfully |
ask for the appointment: Of committee OF |
Senators 10 make most thorough aid ex- |
hausiive investigation INTO these charges, with |
authority 10 send tor persons and papers, and |
The majority OF which committee shall be SEN /
ators politically opposed to me.
He called Senator Anthony, Presi-
dent pro tem.. TO the chair a. presid-
Jog officer. Mr. Pratt, the Senator
from Indiana, then said
Representing as do in part the State of
which he Wee President IS a citizen, il IS
proper that | should move the appointment OF
a committee in accordance with the wish |
which has just been expressed. In doing that
desire TO say that ] do not wish my sell sp.
pointed a member Of the committee and per-
1sps il ~ not out of place that ] should say on
his occasion, that having known The Vice
President from his youth, have the most
perfect rhhdence ia his truth, his integrity
and hIs honor. II wou require great deal
nore evi ence than ! have seen or heard o
convince the people Of the Slate oil Indiana
hat he 10 a dishonest or dIsholcrabls man. |