The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1847-07-23

ers and Gen. Fry on behalf OF the
state. This selection of trustees
was a manifest absurdity, one of
these gentlemen, Capt. Swift, had
his duties as an officer, that requir-
ed his continued attention at WASH
ington, and the other, David Levitt,
Esq, as president and conductor Of
a large hank in New York, among
other engagements could not be cx-
pected 10 devote much time to the
concerns of canal 1900 miles of.
Yet these two persons constantly en-
gagged, one at Washington and one
in New York, were the sole conduc-
tors OF work in Illinois which, for
its proper conduct required the
constant attention of energetic and
active men. The first thing done
by this board was TO vote themselves
salary of $4,000 each per annum,
for accepting the title of "trustee.
The fact that the new law did not
expressly fix the amount of salary
was taken advantage Of to charge
this enormous sim, without regard
to tie provisions OF the law Of 1896.
The next demand was by Mr.. Lev
lit for brokerage for "negotiating
the loan," in face Of the exprcss
provisions of the law, and of the
fact that the banl, he represents was
interested to the extent Of 2A0 ,000
in the success Of the new law.
Wien this fact Of the salaries was
announced in Illinois it produced
the greatest excitement and the ut
most efforts were made by the par
ties 10 contradict it. The Chicago
Advocate had the following; a%
at is further alleged against the
trustees that they have voted them
selves $4,000 per annnr, and that
one Of the trustees "Iequires pay
for an unauthorized visit to Europe
and in addition a commission of two
per cent. on the negotiation Of the
whole loan" AS TO their voting
themselves the $4,000 stated, we
have no means now Of knowing
whether such be the fact. If so, we
have no hesitation in saying that it
is very much too high. Public opin-
ion will not sustain them here in ap.
propriating to themselves any such
sums. As to the claim Of "pay for
an unauthorized visit TO Europe "
per centage, &C., we suppose that
is matter for the government OF the
state to settle. 1t is very generally
believed throughout the state that
the visit Of MIR. Levitt TO Europe,
whether authorize or not, was Of
material advantage to the state, and
it is but reasonable and Just that he
should have a reasonable and fair
compensation therefor; but we do
not believe that tie legislature will
entertain for moment the idea of
giving him two per cent. on the
loan, if they make any allowances
for these services. Nor do we
think the trustees will venture to
appropriate any of the trust funds TO
compensate Mr.. l.. for lis services
in this matter"
The Alton Review remarks as
follows:
"But we are anxious to hear from
the trustee on the part of the state.
We ask him what amount Of salary
the trustses have voted to them
selves? What salaries are paid the
engineers, &C.? How much more, if
any. are they paid than the canal
commissioners, engineers, &C., re-
ceived under the state ? And what
charge, if any, has Mr.. Levitt made
for negotiating this loan? We ask
these questions of Gen. Fry, as the
trustee Of the state Of Illinois, for the
public benefit"
The Joliet Signd stated as fol-
lows
GAS to the charge that the trus-
tees have voted Themselves $4,000
each per year, zee Ltayn ap0a iaq7i-
~ that nothing can btjHytEer jront
TIE trNth.
GAS this is { matter upon which
some little interest has been excited,
we are permitted TO make the fol-
lowing statement. When the trus-
tees were together, Messrs. Levitt
and Swift informed Gen. Fry, the
state trustee, that the b0ndh2iders
had raaae arrangements 10 pay
them each $4,000 per year, prori-
ded they 'couid c0nsent h Ssrce as
trustees, and they were willing to
vote The same amount to the state
trustee out Of the canal fund, in or
der that he might be on equal foot
ing with them.
In consequdhce'ofthis excitement,
Gen. Fry refused more than $4,000
and Mr.. Leavitt, we believe, with
drew his claim for brokerage. The