The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-08-14
The Credit MObilier.
RIcHARI1 I'm
u 7R3tNNINNe NHHIFuIlu
County Central Committee

- ~~~N~A ~-SHA--NAt
Cakes A., Oliver aud Frank NJ. Ames,
sons Of the late Cakes Ames, Of Massa.
ehasetts, who was expelled from Congress
on account Of his part in the Credit No.
bilier transaction, published in the San,
day Herald, Boston, on Sunday last, a
Justification Of their father, and adj
dressed letter to the ADVOCATE, among
other papers, asking for publication Of
the same. 1t is too lengthy for our col
umns, at present, aud perusal Of it does
not convince as that II is thorough aud
complete history Of the Credit Mebilier
transactions. 1t may be correct, gener-
ally, as far as il goes, bur it does not touch
upon the points which so much interest
the public, now that one Of the actors is a
candidate for President.
The history of the Credit Mobilier scan
dal is not generally understood, and we
shall endeavor to give it at an early day.
There are some points in it, however, well
known, and upon which all agree. 0ne
is, that Oakcs Anes swore before the Po-
land congressional investigating committee
that be had sold to Garfield ten shares Of
the Cfedit Mobilier stock and bad returned
him 1929 in money, which was dividend
after paying up the stock. Garfield swore
that he received 1929 from Cakes Ames,
but considered il loan, aud further testi-
fed that be neither received or agreed to
receive any Credit Mobilicr stock or any
profits arising therefrom. Mr.. Ames was
recalled aud reiterated his former state
ment, and Mr.. Garfield did not testify
again, as he could have done IL he 50 de-
sired Upon these facts there Is no dif-
ference Of opinion, and all mus; agree that
1929 was an odd sum to borrow, for the
purpose Of building house, as some allege,
or FIR going to Europe, as claimed By
others.
0akes Ames sons claim, in their letter
that there was no fraud committed or in-
tended BY their father in selling stock to
members Of Congress. The transaction,
they state, was entirely legitimate. The
Boston Adrertissr holds this opinion also,
and says that bnt one error was committed
ION the part Of anybody supposed to be
implicated in the Credit Mobilier proceed
ing, and that was committed, not by Oakes
Ames, but by the panie.siricken Senators
and Congressman who, having done some
thing that could be easily defended on the
strictest grounds Of political morality, tried
to undo what they had done, or, If it was
loo late to do that, prevaricated about il.
The error, then, according to the Adj
resiiser, was not ia taking the stock, but
in swearing thai heg DID not take Il; or,
ia other words, of committing perjury.
Co the point Of false swearing the Ames
sons say something pertinent, and their
letter is generally commended BY the Re.
publican press. In 1872, say they, the
press Of the country began a necessary
and "asefu% crusade against abuses real
and imaginary. nSome Congressman pos.
sibly had been implicated 10 other trans.
actions which would not bear daylight
and were living in dread Of exposure.
The Credit Mobilier was ventilated and
other eorrnptions and jobs were alluded to
and a general panic ensued in Congress
When the Investigation Of the Credit No
hilier came on. the Messrs. Ames say
ifUnder the influence Of a panic, brave mon
became towards, truthful men prevnricated.
honest men acted ike convicted piekpockets,
while the meanest men in Congress assumed
airs Of pharisaical superiority Bat there was
one mnn IN Congress who would neither lie,
nor pgeparicate. nor eonceal Cakes Ames--
man Of few words, sturdy and strnight for
ward. upright and downright, conscious Of his
own rectitade, aud as ignorant Of the ways Of
"t1|tI- AANEAr ~ = tiliiu-~ltal1utA 10 CbrIuIN
agreements made with him BY congressman
Eve yeafs before 70 buy interests ii Inc con,
sifucsion stock, and verified them BY refer.
enee to his memorandum book
Admitting, then, there was no corrupt
metise IN selling Or buying the Credit
MoblIiefstoek lhe sllarge ofpesjury againsi
Garfield stands, according 70 the Boston
.asfasFtisss, Republican journal, aud the
Messrs- Amas. allthroe Republicans. The
dassftiser says the ouly sin consisted in
Congressman preyariealing about ii, and
Garfield IS one oftliosc who denied having
stock The Messra. Ames say that their
father testified o certain agreements with
Congressman 70 buy interests il The con
asfaetioh stock, and rri6ed them BY 70.
ference 10 his nieInoraudnm book.
With De great majority Of the people Of
This country, die ADVOCATE believes that
shese was eorraption intended in passing
around The Credit Mobilier stock among
cgnsrewmeu b 0ales Ames. The po-
Iaad eommisiees slsar faIl iI4eaiGaation.
believed i and expelled A ne aua Blocks.
the cue iaf buyiag and he other Tor selling
the sleek But. admitting shcse might be
Some error il that lndgmsnt. i Il not plain,
from Republican testimony, that Garfield