Details
GARFIELD, James A. (1831-1851), President. Autograph letter signed ("J. A. Garfield"), as member of the House of Representatives, to J. DeWitt Miller, Hiram, Ohio, 8 October 1872. 1 page, 8vo, marked "Private."
GARFIELD DENIES THE "WICKED SLANDER" THAT HE TOOK BRIBES IN THE CREDIT MOBILIER SCANDAL
Garfield tries to wipe away the stain of involvement in the Credit Mobilier bribery scandal: "I thank you & Miss Wilfson for your confidence in me. In reference to the slander to which you refer, I have only to say that the story is a wicked slander and my friends will have nothing to be ashamed of for my sake in connection with it." The directors of the Credit Mobilier holding company had illegally enriched themselves in the course of the federally funded Union Pacific Railroad construction project. In an attempt to block a Congressional investigation of their misdeeds, the directors lavished members of Congress with company stock and cash "loans." Some of the leading members of Congress were implicated, such as Speaker of the House Schuyler Colfax and Ohio Congressman James A. Garfield - who held important posts on the House Banking, Appropriations and Ways and Means Committees. Garfield testified before a Congressional committee in response to charges that he accepted 10 shares of Credit Mobilier stock and received a $300 loan. He claimed he turned down the stock offer but did accept a loan. However, he swore that he paid it back and did not alter his votes in return for the money. The "wicked slander" did briefly tarnish Garfield's reputation, but he nevertheless won reelection in November 1872 as well as in 1874 and the two succeeding contests for his House seat before he successfully ran for President in 1880.
GARFIELD DENIES THE "WICKED SLANDER" THAT HE TOOK BRIBES IN THE CREDIT MOBILIER SCANDAL
Garfield tries to wipe away the stain of involvement in the Credit Mobilier bribery scandal: "I thank you & Miss Wilfson for your confidence in me. In reference to the slander to which you refer, I have only to say that the story is a wicked slander and my friends will have nothing to be ashamed of for my sake in connection with it." The directors of the Credit Mobilier holding company had illegally enriched themselves in the course of the federally funded Union Pacific Railroad construction project. In an attempt to block a Congressional investigation of their misdeeds, the directors lavished members of Congress with company stock and cash "loans." Some of the leading members of Congress were implicated, such as Speaker of the House Schuyler Colfax and Ohio Congressman James A. Garfield - who held important posts on the House Banking, Appropriations and Ways and Means Committees. Garfield testified before a Congressional committee in response to charges that he accepted 10 shares of Credit Mobilier stock and received a $300 loan. He claimed he turned down the stock offer but did accept a loan. However, he swore that he paid it back and did not alter his votes in return for the money. The "wicked slander" did briefly tarnish Garfield's reputation, but he nevertheless won reelection in November 1872 as well as in 1874 and the two succeeding contests for his House seat before he successfully ran for President in 1880.