Evening journal., 1912-07-20
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
The Father Who Was Vim
diCated Through His Son
By Holland

In 1869 the Union Pacific Railroad
was completed Nearly eight years
had been required for the construc-
tion of this road AT a point In the
State Of Wyoming near the place
where connection was made with the
Central Pacific, which was construct
ed easterly from San Francisco TO
meet the Union Pacific. a great and
typical boulder was set up as a per-
manent monument to the energy,
courage and persistence with which
Oakes Amee of Massachusetts had
undertaken the construction OF the
Union Pacific and had completed il.
II was not known az the time Mr.
Ames undertook the building OF this
road that he did so at he earnest re-
quest of President Lincoln Others
had started TO construct the road.
The engineers and surveyors had
pointed out an available route, and
yet the one man Of energy and great
constructive force necessary for un-
dertaking and completing the gigan-
tic work was not found until Presi-
dent Lincoln himself discovered him.
When tho President decided to
urge Oakes Ames to undertake this
work he said, This is job which
requires a great, broad-shouldered,
thick-chested man with a firm chin,
who has the grip of a bulldog.
reckon Oakes Ames Of Massachu-
setts is just that kind of man. If he
catches hold he won't let go.
Mr. Ames did catch hold He put
h.IF .F Ia
own money into the project and he
induced other men of great capital,
especially some of the leading CAPT
tslists of Boston. to join With him
in providing the funds NEEDED for the
cimpletion of this work.
/. In 1873, when Cakes Ames was a
member of Congress. he was accused
of having used improper means to
influence legislation in favor of the
Union Pacific Railroad when IL was
under construction. Mr.. Ames ap-
pesred before the Congressional In
vestigating Committee, testified fully,
and furnished all the documentary
evidence he had, including his diary.
Congress, however voted TO censure
him for improper conduct SO that
Cakes Ames. in a night almost,
found himself in a position of de-
gradation and humiliation, although
a few years earlier he had been ac-
claimed as one of the greatest bene-
factors the United States had had.
He grieved so bitterly over what he
regarded as an unmerited stigma
that in the course Of year he died.
A few years later citizens Of Mass
achusetts formed a voluntary COM
mittee to make careful investigation
Of the charges that had led to the
censure of Mr. Ames Upon the com
mittee were Republicans and Demo-
Gratis The work done and the mem
bership of the committee were conf
dental But the undertaking re-
fiected the very strong suspicion, IN
Massachusetts,, that srievous injus-
tioe had been done to Oakes Ames
II was upon Information furnished
by this committee that in 1883 the
Massachusetts Legislature, with
practical unanimity. adopted a reso-
luton in which was expressed the
confidence Of the citizens Of that
state In Cakes Ames and the convic-
tion that woful injustice had been
done 10 him through a hasty and SUI
perfcial investigation by Congress
into the Union Pacific charges. There
was no other way by which Massa-
chusetts could refute these charges
than by resolution of the Legisla-
ture. This resolution is without any
legislative parallel.
"If Oakes Ames had been alive in
1883, he undoubtedly would have
been nominated by the Republicans
of Massachusetts for Governor, and
he probably would have been nomi-
mated by the Republicans of Massa-
chusetts for Governor, and he prob
ably would have been elected by the
greatest majority ever given Cub
ernstorial candidate by the voters oil
the State" q member of the commit
tee who sifted the charges against
Mr.. Ames said 10 me in 1888 There
was a feeling among the Republicans
of Massachusetts that something in
addition TO the resolution of the Leg.
islature should be done to vindicate
/ Cakes Ames, but Just what was a
serious question.
And a serious question it remain
ed until last year Then. one day
prior to the Republican State Con
vention. one of the leading Republl
cans OF the State said 10 his friends
- have IT, We can't nominate
/ Cakes Ames for Governor, since be is
dead. but we can do the next best
thing. We can nominate his son
/ oliver Ames: and even if the Demo
Gratis do nominate Billy" Russell, as
they say they are going to do. we car
beat Russell with Oliver Ames. The
/ vindication Of the father will come
| through the election of the son
THAT idea was instantly accepted
and Oliver Ames was nominated foi
/ Governor. Billy Russell. who was
the most popular young man in tho
State. did run for Governor against
oliver Ames. but was defeated Anc
so you have the inside story of th'
manner in which one man became
Governor Of Massachusetts"