Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-05-28
The SwfndIcr Beck with, and Joseph c.
MARSHALL.

Marshall.
The tendency of the defence put forth by the State
Journal ganst the mputatons made by the Lagrange
Democrat, was such as to make 1t appear that Gov
Mobiles report as to Beckwth's doiDgs, had been
falsely quoted or msrepresented. For the purpose of
fairly laying the matter before the public copy in
full much ofhe reports of Gov. Noble, of the
commissioners of Internal Improvements, relates to
the subject The first of these extracts take from
the Documentary Journal of lS39'40, LIST part pages
40 and Al and the second from Doc Jour- for le o.
4l-2d part, pages l6 and IL.
In the first report, Gov. Noble said:
alt will be recoected that Edward NJ Beckwtb, the
Resident Engineer, has become obnoxious TO portion OF
the public and to many of the contractors. He
charged with acting oPPressvely in his official caPaciy
towards OF the contractors, by withhoolng uelr
Just earnings and the other hand It was alleged that
no was Psrai, and that IN the exercise oil his avortism
the public interest had suffered by overestimatng the
Jobs of thoss who stood highest in his favor In conse
quence of complaints the Chief Engineer and Com
missioner advised that the appointment OF Resident En-
Rneer for the railroad should be postponed 10 the June
Of the Board, and therefore the name OF Mr. Beck
with offered the time of the confirmation oil the
other nomination March session lie was how
retained the service Under his former appointment
From March June all the plausible objections
listened to, and although there developments
positively establishing his guilt yet the suspicious against
him strong admit OF his being longer retained
Finding that he encouraged, either by the Chief
Engineer myself, and knowing that we would have to
report upon his the June term, he relieved by
giving notice Mr.. Williams that he would resign at
the June letting, and that, in the meantime, he would
prepare the records and files Of bis Office and so state his
accounts that his would understand them
When il understood that he not remain in Of
nee under the new Board those who dreaded his official
influence were more free in communicating what they
knew suspected. Among others, Mr. Lefever,
tractor on the first work let upon the road informed one
the subordinate engineers that he had given Mr. Beck
with at one hme whilst his work was on hand, the
Of 800 dollars, and at another 400 dollars These sums
he he viewed IN the character OF brbes and named
the transaction friends. As for
HIMSELF he says Beckwh asked him for the money,
nil he possessed had been expended on his job and fear
ing that he would incur the dspleasure of Beckwh and
be driven insolvency by the withholding of his
earnings he thought it better comply than risk the
consequences of stalking his word against BeckwIs de-
nia if he should attempt expose him. These parcu-
lars seeming sufficient the Chief Engineer made the
cessary affidavit and Beckwrh brought before the
Mayor of Madison, and was recognized and let 10 ball.
but did appear for trial. at the late term of the Court
These induced re-measurement Of the largest
suspected Job which exhibited estimate of $751;
900 beyond the sum that should have been paid accord
ing the contract prices Suit was immediately brought
against the for the payment, and lien
,aksn upon his property far it could be reached 1t
will however fall very far short Of paying the money
Beckwith also arrested and held to bail IN civil
ton, but escaped from the custody of the sheriff
" In order that correct and impartial measurement OF
the suspected jobs might be had, by an engineer free
from influence Of State officers Mr.. Lapham of Ohio,
requested attend upon the line and perform that
vice. in conjunction with the Resident Engineer L. A.
Morris The result is that OverPaymens have been de-
tected in amounting TO $4,000, and in two
there have been discovered balances due TO the
tractors of 81 l00 That Beckwith shared in the
payments cases, there room for doubt,
but have sufficient reason TO suppose hat all the
contractors who have been oveIpaid participated in his
guilt Civil for the recovery of the
in all the have been and will be instituted.
"These have demonstrated the necessity of
additional legislation, such is now unknown to our
statute books Had there existed some summary mode,
in The form Of attachment or treasury warrant resembling
that placed in the power OF the officers oil the United
States large sum could been saved But such
remedy not provided steps could be taken to
prevent Mr.. Beckwh from selling property and collect
ing his money interest, amounting to somo 1000,
acquired, no doubt by his corrupt conduct"
In his next report, of 1S40-4l, Gov. Noble made
the following statements:
GFrom what ranspred last winter the Board will ex-
pec and my duty Commissioner claim of me,
of what has been done ia the effort from
Edward NJ Beckwth, the abscondIng Engineer from the
railroad the large distracted from the public funds
by estimates and payments procured by brides, and
IN which payments he no doubt shared.
Of this deecuon-bs arraignment upon the criminal
ehagehs arrest and escape in the civil action instituted
for the OF the money! the Board reported TO the
last session OF the Legislature and at the time
regret expressed because laws did not afford
such remedy would prevent the fugitive from trans
feug converting into cash his valuable landed prop
and his large claims Tor money interest," discovered
about the time Of his arrest Having found deed left by
liable property his brother James, but which had
been executed doubt entertained of his intention
his property of his hands, that might be
verted into money by his brother, and in that way de-
prvs State Of the proceeds thereof But neither the
State officers the public had any knowledge of a
transfer Of OF his property up TO the day Of the meet
ing Of the Legislature.
At the time Of Beckwiths exposure, his acqnanitan-
had knowledge Of the large of money he had
pat usurious interest," but disclosure made
after another until it asceraIned that he had the fol-
lowing property and obligations, viz:
The land and fine house erecting the hull, then
estimated to cost s., SOC
HIS interest in land and new town plat at Column
bus. $500
Note on John Woodburn cash lent, 4,50C
Note on Sheets q Grover, with interest, 1900
Note on Squire Wharton cash lent, ,00C
Note on c. WOODBURY. cash lent, 1000
Note on Leonard Go, 1000
"Tbe three last notes were collected by himself oil
brother, soon after his arrest
I" With the hope of recovering some portion of the
isaiure al The last session took the precauon to Iegis
with closed doors whilst the passed. authorizing
the State officers proceed in a summary by
attachment, 10 recover money, generally from State
agents or contractors when improperly obtained or with
SION tho passed through the hands Of the clerks
and OF the Executive, the Resident Engineer was dis
patched TO Madison with copy of the act, and with
request for the States counsel the
action. Proceeding such the act authorized were
accordingly begun against the property and creditors
Beckwith In these trial has yet been bad but
from the fled by Joseph g. Marshall Esq, i
appears up a claim To the land al Columbus
house and land the hill Madison and to the
note John WOODBURY. for 81 500; all OF which as al
lodged, procured through the brother OF Beckwilb
lie also held note Sheets and Grover, but gave
10 James Beckwith, and IL IL claimed by third per
son. citizen Of Louisville, who has brought suit for the
recovery Of the money"
Here then ia tho hsforv If the aff,ir as ofcio lls