The Portland daily press., 1873-02-17
WASHINGTON.
Credit MObilier.
The Senate Investigating Com
,ua,Hs 40 mittee. yEFESEEW


WASHINGTON, Feb. 15-The Senate special
Mobilier Committee resumed its session this
afternoon. . SA
Vice President elect Wilson was called and
his attention directed to despatch sent to the
New York Times on September 10th last con-
tradicting by his authority the statement that
he had held credid Mobilier stock
Mr.. Stockton asked the witness if he had au-
thorized the contradiction. Witness replied
that he had a conversation with Gen. Boynton
and did authorize the contradiction of the des-
patch, the substance of a conversation that he
had with Gen. Boynton Witness would take
the word OF Gen. Boynton. He is man of
character and is trustworthy. frF
Mr. Patterson was recalled and questionedby
Mr.. Scott. He testified that his conversation
with Mr.. Ames in relation to taking stock
might have been earlier than 1867 1t probab-
ly occurred during the session of 1866. Witness
could not remember now, it had been SO long
ago. Mr.. Ames came to witness before the
second investment and said, 81 have got to
raise some more money!, and proposed to let
The money was paid for It by witness. The re-
ceipt produced by Mr.. Ames and signed by
witness called for two hundred shares, whereas,
in point of fact,l he received three hundred
shares and put them in the hands of Mr.. Nor
ton, in New York, to SELL
BY MI. Stevenson-Morton, Bliss g. Co.,
never sold for witness any credit Moblier
stock. Did not remember delivering to them
any such stock. In his final settlement with
the firm no such stock appeared in the list.
Mr.. Morton also stated that he never sold or
held Credit Moblier stock for any one.
= Gen. Boynton sworn-The attention of wit
ness was called to a despach of Sept. 18th, in
relation to Senator Wilson, and he testified
he had Isent the despatch to accommo-
town. The despatch was authorized by Senator
Wilson. 1t was written by the witness but was
not submitted to Mr.. Wilson before being sent.
Mr.. Wilson stated nothing about his wifes
having an interest in the Credit Mobilier
Senator Harlan was recalled and read a
lengthy statement to the effect that Dr. Du-
rants contribution towards the expenses of the
Iowa election was voluntary on his part ana
not the result of any intimation from the wit
ness, and was not made in consideration of any
service performed or to be performed personally
or officially by witness for him or any other
person or company. That there was no such
understanding expressed or implied, and he did
no think DR.. Durant intended to influence
his official vote. He believed that DR.. Durant
proffered the contribution out of personal re-
gard for Witness as of a friend and from con-
scientious belief on his part that it would be
best for the State where he (Durant) held a
large property interest, and for the nation, that
the wi ness should be returned to the Senate.
Mr.. Harlan made very lengthy statement
relative to the two checks received from Durant
founded upon his recollection. 1t mainly re-
lated to matters pertaining to the election of
the Iowa State Legislature, which was to
elect Senators in 1865 and 1885, for which con-
siderable money was legitimately used in de-
fraying the expenses of the different members
incurred in this favor. T~F=
Mr.. Harlan concluded as follows: 1t was to
meet these expenses incurred in the winter of
1866 by my friends at Des Moines that con-
siderable part of the money derived from the
Durant checks, as well as other funds, as was
informed, were applied. Some of these bills
were paid or the parties reimbursed after the
Senatorial election was over. Mr.. Harlan said
it would be impossible so many years after the
matter had TRANSFERRED, to give all the particu-
lars. He further remarked that certain ques-
tions propounded yesterday relative to his &C
ton in another position, were beyond the per-
view of the purpose of the committee and he
did not feel that he was called upon to answer
them, until he knew the charges, if there were
any
Gen. Boynton testified that he had never seen
the stubs of the Durant checks, and did not
know of any one who had seen them. He only
heard it as rumor.
Investigation Before the Ways nd Means
ts7r1 ssf1rr Committce.
The Committee of Ways and Means to-day
examined Edward King, President of the New
York Stock Exchange, relative to Judge Sher-
mans claim and Mr.; Bartletts proposition
Mr.. King testified he had been unable to find
the letter of Judge Sherman heretofore referred
to. claiming SIC, 600 for services in Washington,
but that 1t is now in the hands of n gentleman
in Brooklyn who has misaia -, aha as soon as
lOuuu Will De produced bStVAO eIio OoAHtNitttt.
He presented to the committee the report Of the
subcommittee of the New York Stock Err
change. to which was dated New York, Janua-
ry 3D. 1872 says that upon summoning witness,
bearing evidence and giving the matter a thor
ough investigation they could find basis for a
valid claim by Judge Sherman, and from this
suggest the Iroprfety of allowing the claimant
if DO should select to appear before the commit
tee or subcommittee for the purpose OF proving
or substantiating such demand.
In rnsDOnSn to further OuaStjOnS az TO any
proper knowledge that he had on the subject
witness produced letter from Judge Sherman
addressed to L. Lockwood, Jr, and dated
judges rooms, U. S. Courts for the North
following is an extract from the letter:
Last summer at the instance of your father
attempte to get such construction placed
on the revenue law as would release the bank
ers and brokers from the payment of heavy
tax. There was partial success, but such IA
Boosting or rather publicity was given to it
that the attention of the Secretary of the Treas
ury was called to it, and he forbade that the
oder should be issued. There was then no
remedy but in Congress, and suggested this to
your father He then wrote me letter. On
the authority and in consideration of what he
wrote in it, went and had an interview with
Mr.. Boutwell, and John Sherman, chairman of
the Senate Finance Committee, Mr.. Garfield
and other prominent members of Congress, and
the result was it became the policy of the ad-
ministration to repeal, not the tax in question,
but the stamp and other taxes 1 think this
result was brought about by discussions raised
and influence used by me- y
The taxes are not yet repealed, but they are
certain to be SO within the next sixty days. If
your father were living there would be no ne
cessity for asking about it, but as the agree
ment was made through him L fear there may
arise misunderstanding, and therefore ask
you to enquire into it and ascertain whether
the committee of the Stock Exchange still
recognize the contract. If they do it l will
continue my labors. Let me hear from you at
your earliest convenience. Please preserve the
letter. Another thing, please enquire what is
the selling value of the stock of the Central Pa
cific of California and let me know. Yours
truly.
IS Signed, FL q &C. T. SHERMAN.
The witness was examined in regard to the
official report of Colgate to the Stock Exchange
relative to the proposition of George A. Bassett,
clerk of the Ways and Means Committee, and
SAID he had no knowledge whatever of it, ex-