The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-05-24


+ ced that the papers and documents asked
for in the communications numbered one
n and two. were so far prepared that they
j. might be forwarded in day or two, we
c on the llth of January. left L0ckport fol
9 Chicago, in which place we intended tc
r complete all the documentary evidence
i and then hasten back to Massachusetts,
where we could examine the same more
? lejsurely, as well as more conveniently.
T., While nj Chicago. the acting commits
5 sioner who has, by law. the general sn,
t perintendence Of canal affairs, and canal
property, placed in our hands such pa
: pers in regard to the debt and liabilities
= of the canal, and regard to the quantity
( quality, and value of the lands. as he had
t prepared 10 sustain the avermens of the
! commissioners who had negotiated for
) the loan. This evidence, with such 9th
> er proofs as have been furnished, we will
: now proceed to apply to the propositions
: which they are designed to support.
First. The commissioners allege. "rhat
the whole canal debt and liabilities for
past works do not exceed $1,000, 1000"
On the 9TH Of Dec. in the communica-
ton numbered one. we spoke as follows
Of this proposition, ave understand by
this, that the state assumes to make it
clear that in no form shall the canal in
any event be charged with greater debt
or liability at the time Of completing the
contract Should one be completed with
the bond-holders). In regard to the evil
denre on this head it will, Of course, be
such as it is the pleasure of the state to
. offer for our consideration but it will be
gratifying to us 10 have it as far as cir.
cnmstances will allow, in an official form,
duly authenticated by the proper officers
to whom this important branch of the
service has from time to time been enlrus-
ted" Here the matter rested until a day
or two before our departure for the East,
when General Fry placed IN our hands
the document found in the appendix, and
numbered i0ur, which comprises all the
evidence on this point except what we
learned from conversations and such state
papers as have been published aud brough,
to our notice.
1t probably contains all the information
which the commissioner possessed, or Of
which, in his official station, he could avail
himself, and while il is less conclusive
! than we could desire, we have no reason
to doubt the integrity Of the commissions
ers, or TO distrusl his purpose of making
it complete and accurate. We infer from
and from conversations that 10 actual re.
cord Of bonds issued, and bonds cancel.
led, exists; but the evidence employed,
instead Of such an official record, is the
official statements Of the fund commits
sjoners and other agents from time 10
time, to whom the sale Of these bonds
were entrusted.
This business, however. was neither
couided 10 the canal commissioner. nor
transacted in his office. We have in our
possession two volumes which consist Of
tate papers, Tor the years 1910, 1871,
1912. and 1913. which contain various
official statements. which tend to corroh-
orate the occount Of General Fry. We
herewith transmit them, and refer to the
report of the canal commissioners 1910,
p. 10, doc. 9. We also would refer to
the mes sage of Gov. Carliu, Dec, 7, lS42,
p, 6, doc, G; TO the message Of Gov.
Ford, Dee. 9, 1912, p. 90, doc. . /; the
report Of Mr.. Ryan Of the senate, Jan. 5,
; 1913, p. 81, doc. 3; and the letter Of
Gov. Carln, Feb. |, 1913, p. l72, doc.
y. The statements Of the fund commits
sioners may also be found. \ COMPARE
son Of these papers, with the statement Of
General Fry, has left no reasonable doubt
of his accuracy in regard TO the bonds.
OF the paper called "canal indebted
; ness" we learn. that regular, and, as is
: represented reliable accounts have been
, kept, as ii ssved, upon the books of the
Office, furnishing 10 the commissioners
the means of making an accurate stale
ment.
The General, while we were at Chica-
+ go, apologized for not inviting us to ex-
anime these, and the other books in his
office, expressing his regret, that it had
; not before occurred TO him. We mention
r these circumstances, not for the purpose
! Of raising doubts, or throwing disirust up
on the motives of the General for he en-
: joys a reputation distinguished for inleg-
. r,y, but to explain the fact, that we did
, not see The books.
! Upon careful consideration Of all the
r facts which have come to our knowledge,
res neciiur the debt chargeable upon the