The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-07-20
Garfield in Credit Mobilier,

We print herewith condensed history
of General GARFIELD's connection with
the Credit Mobilier ring, and the opir-
ions Of the leading Republican papers at
that time on his guilt. 1t presents the
Republican standard bearer in very pit
liable plight. That be took false oath
is proven by his own testimony and the
finding Of the committee as well as by
the able defense which Judge BLACK
wrote for him, and which now consti-
lutes the only plea which his friends
make for him. This record OF General
GARFIELD is something which should not
be made party issue merely. The honor
and credit and good name OF the Ameri-
can nation are at stake. 1t will never do
to allow man who wilfully perjures
himself to FL the chair of GEORGE
WASHINGTON That he did this the fol-
lowing extracts from the official records
will show, unless somebody can prove
that they are false or forged:
From His Own Sworn Testimony Before the
Poland Committee, January IA, 1873,
never owned, received, or agreed
to receive any stock of the Credit
MObilier or of the Union Pacific
Railroad, nor any dividends or prof
80 ~ or frnup, aif oE
From Judge Poland's Report, February 1S,
1873 -Garfelds Testimony Perjured.
The facts in regard to Mr. Garfield, as found
by the committee are that he agreed with Mr..
Ames to take ten shares of Credit Mobilier
stock, butdid not pay for the same. Mr.. Ames
received the eighty per cent dividend in bonds
and sold them for ninety-seven Per cent. and
also received the sixty per cent cash dividend
which, together with the price'of the stock and
interest, left balance of $3S9. This sum was
paid over to Mr.. Garfield by check on the
Sergeant-at- Arms, and Mr.. Garfield then ura.
derstood this sum ,oas the balance Of dioidends
after paying for the stock.
New York Times, February 10, 1878.
Messrs. Kelley and Garfield present 8
most distressing figure. Their participa-
tion in the Credit Mohllier affair is CON-
plicated by the most unfortunate contra.
dictions OF testimony.
New York Times. Feb. 90, 1873.
The character of the Credit Mobiliel
was no secret. The source OF its profit:
was very we'll known at the time Con
gressmen hought it. Though Oakes
Ames may have sucreeded in concoalins
his own motive, which was to bribe Con.
gressmen, their acceptance of the ,stocl
was not on that account innocent Th,
dishonor Of the act, as a participation ii
an obvious fraud, still remains.
Some of them have indulged in testi
mony with reference to the matter which
has been contradicted. The committe,
distinctly rejects the testimony Of seuera
of the members. This can only be don,
on the ground that It is untrue. But un
true testimony giuen ander oath is moral
/ y, If mot illegally perjury,
/ ltis the clear duty ot Congress to visi
with punishment oil who took Credi
Mobilier stock from Oakes Ames.
New York Tribune, Feb. 10, 1878.
james A. Garfield Of Ohio had tel
shares; never paid dollar; receives
1929. which, after the investigation be
gan, he was anxious to have considere'
as loan from Mr.. Oakes Ames to him
self. ss. .siat.s-ss
\ Well, the wickedness of all Of It is tha
these men betrayed the trnst OF The peo
pie, deceived their constituents, and b.
evasions and falsehoods confessed th
,rsnsaction 10 be disgraceful.
! New York Tribune. Feb. 90, 1873. &
Mr. Ames establishes very clearly th
point that ne was not alone in the of
|fense. IT he is to be expelled for bribery
the men wao ,ccrs bribed should go scit
him. ae SD