Page "James A. Garfield" Paragraph 55

In 1872 he was one of a number of Congressmen involved in the alleged Crédit Mobilier of America scandal.

As part of their expansion efforts, the principals of the Union Pacific Railroad formed Crédit Mobilier of America and issued stock.

Congressman Oakes Ames testified Garfield had purchased 10 shares of Crédit Mobiler stock for $ 1000, received accrued stock interest and $ 329 ( 33 per cent ) in dividends sometime between December 1867 and June 1868.

Ames's credibility suffered greatly due to substantive changes he made in his story under oath, along with very inconsistent and inaccurate records he provided.

Garfield biographer Peskin concludes, " From a strictly legal point of view, Ames's testimony was worthless.

He repeatedly contradicted himself on important points.

" According to the New York Times, Garfield had been in debt at the time, having taken out a mortgage on his property.

Though Garfield was properly questioned for buying the stock, he had returned it to the seller.

The scandal did not imperil his political career severely, though he denied the charges against him rather ineffectively, since the details were convoluted and were never clearly articulated or convincingly proven.