Omaha daily bee., 1883-05-02
THE AMEs.

memory from the charges
made against him during his lifetime.
Backed by the Boston Advertiser,
which Is partly owned by Oliver
Ames, they appeal to the Legislature
to urge upon congress an e1punging
from the records Of Its censure upon
Cakes Ames az q bride giver and
c~orrupter OF congressman on behalf OF
the Union Pacific railroad.
The Advertiser makes Its ploa on the
grounds Of ats Injustice Of current
public opinion" and because the
famous phrase about putting the
Credit Mobelier stock "whero 1t
would do most good" was ''lnter-
preted In the most offensive way and
instant ly became slang for bribery.
II the Massuchuse it's Legislature has
any regard for current public opinion,
Just or unjust, 1t will drop tho Ames
matter at once. The ooner the
record of Cakes Ames Ia for.
gotten the better 1t will be for
his family. A man whose only
aim warI'o protect himself and his asso.
clates In q contract involving $47,-
600, 900, he sacrificed honor, integrity
and reputation to purchase favorable
legislation at Washington, and de.
bauched bis congressional associates
by barefaced bribery. The report Of
the Poland committee In 1873 will
stand az the truth of history. 1t
shows that Cakes Ames came to
Washington In 1867, just before the
Washburne bill to regulate the rates
Of transportation on the Pacific roads
wal introduced In congress. Dur
Ing that month more than 30C
shares CT Credit Mobilier stock were
distributed. "We want more friends
In congress-" he wrote to McConb,
land l shall place the shares where
they will do most good to U.S." The
first effect of this placing was seen In
the defeat of the Washburn measure,
introduced on December OH, 1867,
aud was soon followed by tho killing
of two other measures tending to pro
teot the government. One of these
was introduced by Mr.. Washburn, o.
Wisconsin, and another by WISH
burn, of Illinois. "We have
blocked the Washburn move," writes
the sainted Cakes to his friend Nc
Comb. 81 have found no diff ,ulty II
getting men to look after their Owl
property" 1t was after q thorough
Investigation Of the whole subjec
that the Roland committee reported
that Cakes Ames was fully indlctabl'
under the federal statute, for tn
punishment of brlbe givers and re
commended his expulsion from con
gress. The house subsequently modi
lad the proposition of the committee
and subjected Ames to ''the absolute
condemnation Of the house." This l
the resolution which the Massachu
sets legislature Is besought to hsv
expunged from the congressional re
oords.
1t Is always a disagreeable duty t
go down In the graves of dead me,
and expose their crimes. No one OBJ
jects to the erection CT o monumen
by the Union Pacific to their benz
factor. It was largely due to Oake
Ames' lack Of conscience chat tn
enormous subsidies in land and none
granted the road by congress wer
doubled and the government mortgsg
changed from a first to a second lie
on ethe property. the D.lonl
Ames and Goulds who pro6ted froi
his infamy can we'll afford to ASST
In his canonlzstion. But the publ
cannot afford to gloss owe a Grim
whose exercise has become one of tn
greatest sources Of danger to populs
sovereignty. Successors to and imita
ors of Cakes Ames still infest the n;
tional capital at each session Of COL
ress on behalf of great corporation
praoticing the same arts which he fri
made so successful. If Cakes Amt
is to be ranked in the list of marty
every jobber, bride glver and lobyi
Is entitled to be canonized as a sam