Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1845-09-11
SUPERINTENDENT OF THE NATION.

| SUPERINTENDENT OF THE NATION
AL ROAD IN OHlo.-Th was gteat out
cry IN the locoioco presses of Ohio, about thu
removal OF the officers composing the Board o
public works; but il seems that the state woul,
have been much better OF if they had bccl
removed sooner. We find facts tated oificiall,
that are sufficient TO justify dcsicive steps a
least. The frauds have been immense.
II is now a well asccriained fact that thcr,
are outstanding certificates given 10y John
Iontz to the amount OF SIXTY FIVE THOU.
SAND DOLLARSl This amount has already
been returned, and still not day passes, as We
learn. without information that leads tc
the belief that the cnorm Gus sum will be
swelled still further When the predecessor
ofNlr. lonu left the Office the road debt was re-
ported at little rising $4,000. Mr. Yontz
IN subsequent statement, declared that III,
debt ui the road would reach 10000. In hi.
annual reports extending through three years
he represented the debt as VARYING from 500
900 To S21 600 In his report presented {,
! the late Legislature, Inc summed up the tota
amount oi outstanding certificates at S27 900
IL Is IN thc lace OF such statements as thcs,
made under the solemn obligations OF publ,
servant, holding an important trust, we hay,
now Ia record the fact. that certificates hay,
already been presented. showing that the roat
has been involved III debt OF least S65, 600.
1t will be- asked how has this ttebt been i'm
| CurrcdF I'm what way has the State been
plImdcrcd of this enormous amount? Heai
the journal in reply TO these questions:
BY the grossest tavoritism-by deliberate
use OF the Office to promote political purposes
and reward political and personal iavorites--
by deception, ialsehood and a violation of eve
~ obligation that can bind AN honest man To
the iulhlment of duty. BY such means has a
corrupt partizan been permitted TO prey OH the
State
The Journal farther states that the examina
tons have shown that in the prices paid for
work on the road, there has been an advance in
many cases. To iavorite contractors. equal 10
ONE, TWO and THREE HUNDRED PER
CENT. SIN one instance" saws the Journal:
Where the facts have been elected within u
lew days, IL is ascertained beyond doubt tina I
iont1 ddriSed Individuals pho trcre bidding for
jobs, TO PIT their bids higher, erGggerdting
the amount Of trork TO be done and the elpenSe
of doing IL, for no otherpupose than 10 secure
totdroriieS al the other end Of the lines, cor
tracts al an enormous profit The favorites,
after bidding below what lontz represented as
the actual expenses OF the work, received the
contracts, and then tunad round and sub-let
ottorty cents per rod what they received one
dollar and tortycentS per rod for doing! Sub
sequcnt Developments show that the amount
and character of the work to be done had been
wiltully misreprcsentcd by Yontz."
This is the character of the developments
now making by the investigating committee
When the whole facts shall be laid before
the People of Ohio, they will be startled at the
frauds by which they have been swindled by
unprincipled and untaithful agents. Yet the
organs OF the Democratic party are abusing the
wings Tor displacing such unmitigated scoun-
drels.
We trust that what has already been made
public will BE- sufficient TO warn the people Of
Ohio OF the importance of sending such men to
the Legislature as will utterly refuse to rein
state the old, or any new party Board whatever.