The Portland daily press., 1880-07-20

The Argus is enlivening its columns with
quotations from the PRESS files of 1873
Yesterday it gave its readers treat by pub
fishing the following:
A few days after Garfield's testimony before
the Poland Committee and its contradiction by
Cakes Ames, the PRESS, Feb. 27, 1878, said
The Boston Advertiser characterizes the action of
several Congressman before the Credit Mobillier
Committee 'as painfully ridiculous 1t is at
least as much as that.
From the PRESS Feb 1, 1879
The investigations in progress at Washington, are
shatterng good many idols But let us not des-
pair. Even in the improbable event of being obliged
TO give up ColfaX Kelley, Patterson and Garfield
as of integrity, we should not rashly conclude
that the times are hopelessl degenerate and the
n saeb something
Schuyler Colfax sitting in Judge Polands Com
mittee room, pale with passion or anguish, trying
to save the reputation that has been his most
valued possession-sitting there and becoming so
frantic in his attempts escape from the tolls of
his pursuers, that he adds, it is feared the crime
trust for which he is arraigned. If the moral that
honesty is the best policy, was ever more impress
sively taught. we certainly do not know when.
From the PRESS Feb. 49, 1S73
The New York Times saws that the report of the
Poland Committee begs the question when it says
that there is no evidence that Congressman knew
the nature of the Credit Mobilier stock, which it
asserts was no secret at the time they bought it. and
says it is the duty of Congress to visit all who took
the stock with punishment. The Boston Advertiser
also informs the Springfield Republican that the
character of the stock was no mystery, and gives
the sources from which information respecting it
could have been derived long since.
The Argus will find lots of good reading
in the PRESS files of that year, and of the
years preceding and the years following.
1t will find prompt and emphatic condem-
nation of the Credit Mobilier bribery, of the
salary grab, and of other sins of our Repub-
lican and Democratic legislators. 1t will
find, by reference to our news columns,
that Senator Bayard and Speaker Randall
both pocketed the back-pay. 1t will find
that while Hancock was at Gettysburg,
driving back what Gen. Anderson now calls
''the rebel hordes," Democratic State Con-
vention in this city was demanding the re-
call of the Maine troops and denouncing the
draft. 1t will also find quotation from
its own files-those files to which it so hates
to refer,-concerning a military hero, and
reading thus:
for military glory the just fame of our hero by
placing him in situation the duties of which
he does not comprehend, for which his educa-
ton, his feelings and his character totally dis
qualify him."
1t will also find in the PRESS files the con-
clusion which the anti-Republcan Poland
Committee reached in considering the case
of General Garfield and five other Congress
men accused of receiving bribes from the
Credit Mobilier. 1t reads thus
The committee do not find that either of the
above named gentlemen, in contracting with
Mr.. Ames, had any corrupt motive or purpose
or was aware that Mr.. Ames had any; nor did
either OF them suppose that he was guilty of
any impropriety or even indelicacy in becom-
ing purchaser of this stock. The committee
have not been able to find that any of these
members of Congress have been affected in
their official action in consequence of their in
terest in Credit Mobilier stock. The commit
tee find nothing in the conduct of either of
these members in taking this stock that calls
for any recommendation by the committee.
1t will find in the PRESS files the follow
ing quotation from letter written June
rs, by jeremiah S. Black to Col. Mcclure
of the Democratic Philadelphia Times:
"Your expressed determination to see that
General Garfield shall be defended against all
unjust aspersionS upon his personal character
is equally pleasant reading to me, for have
been his devoted friend for many years and |
-afn resolved that | never will believe that he
does not deserve the affection have bestowed
upon him. If he would carry the principles
which regulate his private life into his public
conduct he would make the best ebtqf 11agts
trdts lce eUer bdd''
1t will also find in the PRESS files the
following mention of General Garfield made
the other day by Democratic Congressman
Springer of Illinois;
The Republican party has nominated for its
candidate for President James A Garfield of
huGl lF,r,sr i.N4 \.
vice, long been the leader of his party. ana
who stands to-day the mightiest warrior OF
them all, the greatest Republican member of
the lower house of Congress. | know James
A. Garfield by being with him in the lower
house OF Congress for years, and l know there
IS no Republican Of that body abler than he
see that the newspapers are making charges
against his character, but, my friends, [ can
not say to you that they are in any wise true.
have not read the reply to these charges by
the Republican press; if they are true ! do dc
net know it, and you, my friends, know as
much about them as l do.