The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1873-01-11
Tho oredit-nIebilier Scandal.

The lifting of the veil OF secrecy from the
investigation into the Credit Aobilier bribery
business discloses mass OF corruption In
Congress, at which the Radical journals may
we'll make wry faces. The testimony given
before the committee eonclusively proves
that the Crsdlt-Mobilier stock was used by
Cakes Ames to influence the legislation OF
Congress. AS pithily put by the New York
Times: 'Ames makes it perfectly clear that
she wished to interest Congressman in his
stschems for the sake of their influence, be-
slieving that they would look after their
stoun business better than after that Of
''osher people," The truth is that the Union
Pacific Railroad being 10 tight place
financially, the help Of Congress was de-
sired; and the scheme devised to obtain that
help was to place in the hands OF Mr.. Ames,
who was the president Of the road, certain
| amount OF Credit Mobilier stock to be used at
his discretion-oi course to influence men,
bers OF Congress to 'push through" the legis.
lation wanted to lift the Union Pacific railroad
out OF the slough. McComb, largely interest
ed, was opposed to this, and out OF the dill
ference between him and Ames comes the
exposure. McComb got at the names OF
persons who were tainted with the stock by
hearing Ames read them out and furtivsly
copying them. Amss's testimony is an
attempted rebutter OF McComo's testimony
"a rebutter which confirms The main
points Of the testimony, but which is intend
ed ss q defence of what was done. Ames
says he saw nothing wrong in ''placing"
| stock. 81 intended nothing that should
''brand me with disgrace" said he Taxing
the testimony OF the two men, it may be
concluded that the stock was delivered or
promised to be delivered to members OF
Congress without fair equivalent. e.,
the sum charged was below the value OF
the stock, and payment for 1t was not re-
quired, and made only in a few cases, the
stock not paid for being left In Mr.. Amess
hands until sufficient dividends accumulated
to pay for it. The manner 10 which
| the transaction was conducted, accord
ling to Ames's confession, proves
It's illicit nature. The back door
seemed to be left open. The stock was
held 80 loosely by its Congressional purchas-
ers that months after its acquisition, those
Of them that we're keen enough to scent the
danger OF exposure we're able to play the
part of Indignant innocencs and to return
the bribe-they did not want to have any
thing to do with It'll they had known as
much they never would have touched it.
Ames says, for instance: 'I know he (Mr.
"Collax) wanted to get some stock, and 1
"am pretty confident he paid me for it,
'though it was never transferred to him;
"nor can remember having paid over to
'shlm any dvidends." This is remembering
| too much and too little, but quite enough to
taint Mr.. Colfa1, who, like the others, the
moment he got wind that the thing was
blown, threw up his stock. He was not to
be corrupted
In the House OF Representatives, on Mon
day last, upon the question Of bringing suit
against the Credit Mobilier large majority
voted in favor OF the suit; 6ut:tsere aoaS no
quorum present. A call OF the House was
had, and quorum appeared. The quea-
tlon was then put to the vote second time,
and again the great majority voted in the
affirmative; but again there acas no quorum.
This is suggestive circumstance, hardly
calculated to encourage those who want to
see the National Legislature vindicate itself
by Sitting this ugly business to the bottom.