Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1845-03-21
REMARKS OF MR.. ECKLEY,
OF CARROLL.

sion OF this subject, he should follow tn
example of the Senator from Richland, an
wander from the subject entirely, and tai
about the characterof the people and office
holders, he hoped the Senate would com
TO the conclusion, that he was very anxiOu
to make speech, without having an,
thing to say. He said he regarded this bill
as one OF the important measures OF tht
sessions because we stand here as the pro
tectors and guardians of the interests anC
property Of the State, and if We negPc
our duty, we disappoint the expectations
OF conddlng people, who have entrusteC
as with that power, and who are now anx
iOusI y watching, with jealous eye, the
manner in which we discharge our duty
as their agents, and as the protectors, o
their rights. But, do not arise for the
purpose of making charges against the
Board of Public Works. That has already
been done by one who, as witness, he
commended to the other side, as one enti-
tea to full credit, aud belief; and who
needs no corroborating proof with those
who are opposed 10 the passage Of this bill.
He offered rs witness, no less person.
age than John Bropgh, Esq, Auditor OF
State; man of the same political party
with the members Of the Board of Public
Works; and who could not lie charged with
any political bias against them. And, sir,
| do not propose any loose declaration
made by the witness; but the deliberate
and cool charge, made in the discharge of
his official duties, under the authority of
law, while acting under the solemn obiga-
tions Of his ofliciaIOalh, IIereierred Sena-
tors 10 the annual report Of the Auditor Of
State, made to the General Assembly, at
the session OF l843 and "A. When alIud-
ing to the estimate of the different mem
bers Of the Board Of Public Works, that
functonary uses the following language:-
"Upon bringing up the disbursements to
such point, that results could l,e safely
ascertaned, it was found that while Mr.
Ransoms' estimates are not paid in full, the
payments on the Wabash and Erie canal,
have exceeded even Mr.. Dicknson's last
estimate from twenty-five to thirty thou
sand dollars, and those ON the Road, from
thirteen to fifteen thousand dollars. Also,
the payments on the Miami Extension ca
nah have exceeded the estimates of Nj.
Spencer, rising seventy thousand; eXclu-
ave OF seven thousand dollars to his unre-
strlcted check. 1t would be well if the
matter stopped here, and these payments,
however excessive, embraced the whole
debt. Bat it does not. Checks are still
outstanding, and more are due to contrac-
tors. From the best information we can
get, there was yet uncovered by the late
loan, at the end Of the fiscal year, about
two hundred thousand dollars Of debt on
the works. The Legislature undoubtedly
intended to provide for the whole debt OF
the State, and the Fund Commissioners Ia
bored assidaousl y to carry out that purpose.
The one has been lhwarted in its object,
whilst the others, resting upon what they
considered, the most authentic information,
have been betrayed into statements which
unfortunately, are not subslantated by the
facts Here, sir, Is a grave charge aIrca.
dy made, and made too hy one OF the bea-
con lights Of the same party that the mem-
hers OF the Board of Public Works belong /
TO. Yes sir, and made by one, to whom |
many Of those who are now attempt 3E 20
screen the Board Of Public WORKS, were /
willing in days gone by topay the second f,
fiddle. Bat it would be fortunate, for those |
implicated, if the Auditor had stopped here.
In the same document he continues, as fol- |
lowss--'' unIearned as | am in the checks .
aud balances that have been established, F.
and the manner OF keeping accOHais on
the public works, am no. able 10 llE0w
any light upon these discrepancies which
cast d temporary gloom Upon the .
finances, and must, far beyond their .
actual Importance, affect the credit Of the .
State. II this is but another Of the many
errors Of judgment Of which, in the CON
Btruction OF our public works, we have had |
so much reason to complain--if the debt |
was actually under estimated, it cast many
strong doubts upon the SYSTEM itself, and
the watchIuness as well rs competency, Of
the officers who have it in charge. If the
Neeplng correctness of det0ildn the keep
ing Of accounts, had been observed, these
officers should have known, to fraction,
what amount of checks had been issued, |
and what had been paid, and have been
able to cstlmUe nearer than Que hundred
thousand dollars, what amount would re-
main due, on the completion OF existing |
contracts. But specuat ons upon or repi. |
ming al results, are alike vain. The evil is !
upon rs. The debt exists, and its pay
tnent is duty from which we may not
shrink. Investigation into the conduct Of
public officers, is not only the right. but
under these circumstances, il is the duty
of the General Assembly"
lIerc Mr. Speaker is a charge made by
uueof the officers of your State, in the dis
charge of his official duty, which, for ne
Rlect or fraudulent pcculation, iswilhont a
parallel in the history of the State. And,
AFTER thus groyey making the charge, he
clearly intimates that it Is the duty Of the
Legislature to investigate their doings. AE
Ter mere reference to thcse facts, as they
stand on the records Of the State, who
would have thought, that any SeuatorCould |
have the boIdncss to ask the majority of
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