Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1847-12-28

~uueSsuTefnen OF II 10 work had been.
made up to that time and therefore, tina,
fact could not be scertained. Yet YOU
do MOI contradict my statement,except by
inference. infer that the work does
cost that much, and lift has been meas.
uTeG, which is doubtful that the examina.
t'en will show it. A competent and faith
Sol engineer would not permit a matter OF
TINS importance to rest In doubt, A grave
mstter like this cannot be trifled with, or
eVaGed by ridiculinga verbal inacuracy
IN an expression where square is used
Tor cubic. Such an error ought to be
easily excused in one not civil engineer
II you can SO easily find excuses for your
blundeFs and mistakes, which would not
have been made by the most unskilful
contractor on the whole line of the canal.
But your argument in relation to this
topic is not remarkably sound. mistook
square for cubic, and therefore you say
the work Goes not cost dollar per yard,
and you are to be excused for your want
ofjudgment, skill, and industry. Is it
by such logic as this that you expect to
escape from your blunders, and your sins
Of commission and omission? This mode
"freasoning, suppose, is to be taken as
Il specimen of the combined skill and
Ingenuity Of yourselfand associates.
You say "lt is not right or usual that
the commissioners upon public work
should interfere with the duties of their
agents" Here we do not concur. You
say further, "ShouId any of the agents
prove incompetent or unfaithful, the true
remedy is to remove them and appoiat
others i'm their stead" Here we do con.
cur; and as believe yours to be a case
coming within your own rule, think the
proper remedy should be applied by your
removal.
You take TO yourself the credit ofaIl the
plans, &c, of the canal. This arrogance.
TO those who knew Gen. Thornton. and
your absolute sn6servience to his will. is
truly amusing. While Gen. Thornton
was on The canal you never dared furnish
shelter TO an indepe ndent thought. He
thought for all, planned all, and inspired
all with energy. You we're mere sup.
Ple.jack in his hands; an automaton with
the faculty and gift of thought without
the courage to exercise the faculty. If
he said solid rock was stratiied rock, so
did you say; if he said the deep cut was
best, SO did you say; like PoIonius in the
play. you said the cloud YVES like a camel,
like weasel, or very like whale, if be
had SO said before you. II is by such
shallow pretences as these that you strive
to fitch from the reputation of Others, some
material with which to build a character
for yourself.
Your brother-in law you say obtained
his contract from democratic legislature
Would you have the public infer that he
was as much the nursing of the legisla
ture as ofyourselI! The Legislature pass
ed law embracing men of all parties
and he came in under its provisions.
would have been commendable in you
had you followed the example of the leg
islature. and melted equal justice to al
contractors without regard to their polite.
You say that the public has no reason
to be dissatisfied with the progress of tht
canal, and you assure them that it il
going on we'll. Why should they credi
your assertion now when you have Sc
often deceived them in relation 10 thi
very subject? You said the canal would be
completed by the 18th of July last, anc
boats were built upon that assurance
next twas to be done by September
next by this Fall; now it is to be done by
next spring, 1t may be done by some
4:h of July, but what one is very uncer
tain you continue to manage it.
4 do not feel stung by your filings a
my associates or your attacks upon m,
motives and character. Though l shoulc
he very bad, ifyou are corrupt or incom
petent you ought to be removed. M,
faults or offences if any exist do not ex
ienuate yours. am not now to defent
my own conduct. When called upon tc
do so | shall be prepared for the contes
and hope to be successful. Ifeel that
ain above your reproach. All that do
or have done is in obedience to my owl
convictions Of right as public officer.
shall pursue my duty as best advised
nor shall shrink from its performance
though all the combinations between your
self and associates should render tina
duty unpleasant and difficult.
Yours, &C.,
CHAS. OAKLEY.
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