Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1847-10-19
JOLIET SIGNAL.
JOLIET ILL.
TUESDAY. OCTOBER 10, Is47.
The Whig Press and Col. oakley.


must have observed, that ever since Col.
Oakley has received the appointment of
Canal Frustee=On the part Of the State,
that all the Wing papers on the line have
been devoted to his abuse. Among the
rest, the sFrue Democrat, which has but
recently been started in this place, more
particularly has been the medium by
which the herd of wbig engineers and
Office holders, who have for a long series
of years, been Stated, on the line of ca.
nal, have attacked and slandered one who
was determined to have their enormous
salaries taken from, them by the speedy
completion ofthe work. When we view
the interest of the State, and of tile entire
region of country bordering on the work,
in regard to its vigorous prosecution, we
must confess that we are surprised at the
course pursued by our neighbor of the
True Democrat. He has permitted
himself to be made the subservient and
plant stool" of these salaried canal gem
tleman, who now have their hands in the
purse containing funds for the completion
ofthe canal. Their promises have caused
him to forget his duty to his state, and to
give the columns of his paper up to the
most violent and vindictive assaults upon
the character OF faithful agent, appoint.
ed TO watch over the interests of the PEG.
pie. The foundation ofihese uncalled for
and unjust insinuations against Col. Oak.
ley is obvious to all, and will not reflect
much credit upon those who have been
used as the means of laying them before
the public.
twas hoped that every thing OF a politi.
cal character would be avoided by those
in power on the line, in their selections
OF agents TO carry on the work. But in.
stead of this proper and liberal policy be-
ing pursued, engineers, oyerseers, &c,
have almost without an exception been
appointed from the whig ranks. In the
selection, the only quality which seemed
requisite to appointment was that they
must be srhigS, without any regard to their
ability and competency to discharge the
duties designed for them. We have
heard it stated that the assertion has been
made by an officer having high authority
upon the work, that the swings had the
control of the canal and the funds for its
completion, in their hands-and that the
loco focos should be excluded from parric-
ipating in the advantages to be derived
by the officers appointed for the manage.
ment and superintendent of the outlay of
those funds" This has been the ruling
princiPle--hence the opposition to Col.
Oakley. Governed by these motives the
wing press have published the most un-
merited and injurious statements against
this able and faithful officer; out we have
every reason to believe that these inuen.
does will call forth the merited rebuke of
the people upon their authors, and that
Col. Oakley will be sustained in his laud.
able efforts to maintain their rights against
the great odds under which he labors.
In another column otto days paper may
be seen an article from the State Regis
ter giving a specimen OF the disadvanta.
ges under which the State Trustee has
labOred since the recommencement of the
work. This has been the principal rea.
son why the work has not progressed
more rapidly. The same difficulties ex-
listed during the time that Gen. Fry acted.
as State Trustee. The enormous sala.
ries received by the foreign Trustees
should demand a small share of their time
from the management oftheir own private
concerns. The feelings of the people are
becoming aroused upon the subject, by
the energy ofCol. Oakley, and these sal
aried rorthies are beginning to have their
agents here act with more vigor. The
completion ofthe canal, which is an event
which will be regretted by the favored
ones on its line, is demanded both by the
bOndhOlders and the people, and doubtless
will follow soon. rs .ae
The Court House.