The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-02-03
Tho U. P. RaIlroad Inauir1.

morning Wilson Snyder, the formel
General Superintendent Of the Union Pa
cihc Railroad, testified that ho didn't
know Of any government directors Of
commissioners who were paid anything
besides their mileage and expenses tol
their services, except Cornelius Wendell
since deceased. Wendell wanted $685.
900, and he was paid some for going tc
Oregon and Wyoming in 1868. Wendell
however didn't pay much attention tC
the road when there. Wendell didn't say
he would make q favorable report. Some
sixty or eighty miles OF the road were to
be examined at that time. Witness paid
the money on his own responsibility. In
a conversation with DR. Durant, then
Vice President, that gentleman declined
TO authorize the payment. A Apcculiar exi-
gency, however, required the payment.
Oliver Ames, President OF the road, wrote
witness saying he did wrong in making
the payment, and asked witness why he
was not removed. It was never init
mated that he was removed for paying
Wendell. The money was charged to
the account Of the contingencies Of con-
struction. He gave security for the pay
ment Of the money also on his own ac-
count. Wendell gave no reason for de-
manding the money. &c wanted it as
"blood." Witness felt justified in paying
the money, owing to peculiar exigencies
at that time, he being eight or nine hun.
drcd miles west OF the Missouri river. He
looked upon Wendell as exacting black
mail. The road was first class then.
F. Fl. Blair, General Buford and the other
two commissioners showed no reluctance
in discharging their duty. The Board Of
Directors OF tho company. tacitly &C.
quiescRd in the payment.
Charles Vanseandt, Speaker Of the
Rhode Island House OF Representatives,
testified. He had no definite knowledge
of the payment Of money to procure leg
islation on the subject ofthe Union Pacific
railroad. In suits by Poland, ]. Hazard
and others in the Rock Island Courts
against Durant, to receive certain moneys,
witness was Durants lawyer, and was
also retained by the Union Pacific Com
pauy and the Credit Mobilier. It was
then conceded by the opposing parties
that Durant's accounts were settled. The
suits were still pending. Il was charged
that Durant had spent money Of the ex.
pense account of the Union Pacific, and
never properly accounted for it. 1t was
not alleged that he spent the money for
corrupt purposes.
John Duff testified. In March, 1871,
he was appointed on o committee Of the
company TO settle an account Of $126, 600
for special legal expenses, but declined to
serve because he knew nothing about
them. Came 10 Washington at the in
stance of Oliver Ames, President of the
Company ut the time Of Secretary Bout
wells action respecting the Withholding
Of certain moneys from the Union Pacific
railroad. He met in Washington Rol-
Inns, General Dodge, Bushnell, Tom Scott
and others, who said the legislation on the
subject would be right. Did not pay q
dollar to any party in Washington, and
paid his own board bills while there.
Witness could give no information as 10 |
the objects for which the sums in the ex-
pense account were paid out. Had no
knowledge OF lawyers being employed |
here. Oliver Ames and John ]. Cisco
were appointed on the committee to ex-
anime and settle the expense account. |
The company were 10 charge such pay
ments to the construction account. Wit
ness testified at length touching the &C.
ton Of the Credit Mobiller, and also in |
relation to the Oakes Ames contract.
Sidney Dillon testified that the present |
property of tho Credit MDbilier consists |
Of lands at Council Bluffs and Columbus,
worth about $l55, 900 and note OF the |
Union Pacific Railroad Company for two
million dollars. AS the note had never
been protested he presumed it might be
considered good. The reason why he did |
not collect tho money was that 1t might |
embarrass the company. A portion Of
the land will be required by the COM
pany and the remaining portion OF 1t |
would thus be doubled in value. Since |
Oakes Ames' contract in 1867 no business
has sheen transacted by the Credit Mo
bilier except settling up iIs affairs. The
Credit MOhilier owns between 150 and |
200 shares of the Union Pacific Railroad |
Company's stock. Witness was not in |
Washington pending the legislation Of
1904 and 1871. He knew nothing about
the expense account, nor the $196,000 for
special legal expenses; did not know Of
any money having been paid by the Pa.
Cidc Railroad Company to any member |
Of Congress, or any officer of the govern |
ment, either directly or indirectly, or rs |
10 how tho 1876 miles Of road already |
completed was embraced in 0akes Ames,
contract. Witness said if that had not |
been in the contract, the part built by
Oakes Ames would have been increased |
to that amount, 1873 miles having been
included as part of the contract. Hc
further explained the subject, and said he
was one Of the seven trustees to whom
the contract was assigned by Ames. No
government director had ever been
stockholder, nor had any stock been so
transferred.
Thomas G. Durant, recalled, said: In
1864 be made arrangements with Joseph
B. Stewart TO settle the difficulties with
the outside parties concerned in the
Leavenworth & Pawnee Railroad; stated
the limit beyond which be could not go
at between four and five hundred thous.
and dollars; there was no trouble with
Congress, but among persons, some Of
whom desired the terminus to be at st.
Louis and others vt several other points;
Durant paid Stewart certain bonds after
the legislation by Congress that year, but
took no memoranda; no money that he
had ever heard Of was spent among Con.
gressmen; no bonds OF the Union Pacific
Railroad Company passed to Stewart;
they in part were Of the Pacific Railroad,
Eastern Division; witness said he never
had any financial business with Thaddeus
Stevens -
AdIoHrned tlll Monday MOAN.