The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-02-17
Remarks Of Mr.. Morris,
OF MONROE,

ON THE RESOLUTION TO COMMIT To
THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON Fl.
NANCE, THE REPORT OF THE AUDI.
TOR OF STATE, RELATIVE TO THE
THREE PER CENT. FUND; DELIVER.
EDsIN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTA-
TIvES, FEB. 9Th.
MR. SpEAKER:-I deem it my duty,
as a member of this House. and as the
mover Of the resolution 10 commit the
Report of the Auditor of State, relative
TO the three per cent. fund, to the Stand.
ing Committee on Finance, to give
some OF the reasons which have induc-
ed me to move that resolution. AL.
though members may look upon this
matler as Of little Importance, yet | be-
lieve when they come to view it in all
its bearings, they will be as anxious as
Fam 10 sift it to the bottom. In my in
v~estiga,ions | may have received some
Information not in the possession OF
members generally, and which the re-
port Of the Auditor does not furnlsh.-
/ vii! not charge that the Auditor OF
State, or the Treasurer Of State, has
been guilty of fraud upon the people in
this transaction, but will refer to facts,
and leave members to draw their own
i%nferepces. must be permitted, how
ever, TO state the conclusions at which
have arrived, after examining all the
evidence that, has come TO my knowl.
edge.
In the first place then, sir, it will be
remembered that on the 9th day OF last
month. | introduced a resolution, which
received the unanimous approval OF the
House, calling upon the Auditor OF State
for certain information relative to the
three per cent. fund, received by the
Treasurer of this State from the Trea'
surer OF the United State. That reso.
luton was couched in respectful Ian.
guage, so far as | know-at least 1t was
so intended. The information was
sought for in good faith. No desire
was felt TO make capital out of the mat
ter, If the State officers had acted fairly
and honestly in the transaction such
are vet my feelings. But when a delay
Of some thirty days occurred and no re.
ply was forthcoming, members began
TO conclude that there was something
about this three per cent. fund sought
10 be covered up. But, sill, | was about
to remark, that the resolution OF the 9Th
ult., was introduced by me, after seeing
in the Repor, Of the Auditor Of State,
for the year l847, the following item:
1Proceeds Of a draft Of Auditor of
State, upon the Treasurer OF the United
States, for S65,749 %, obtained by the
agent Of the State upon a contract made
iby the Governor, under a resolution Of
the G General Assembly, by which he was
to receive 90 per cent. OF the sum re-
covered-S52,599. 2l."
-lb Mr.. Hardesty here inquired Of the
Speaker if the member from Monroe
was in order, and whether he would be
permitted to 60 into the merits OF the
question,
q MI. Morris. 1 am only giving my
reasons, Mr.. Speaker, why this matter
-shcn1ld be referred to the Finance Com
'mnittee, and by that committee thorough.
~ investigated.
The Speaker. Proceed.
haMr. Morris. was about to say, sir,
that If the business Of the Auditors Of
ECO is conducted in a proper manner,
The information sought by the resolu-
ht~ion,could have been furnished in the
SPACE of two hours. That time would
have been amply sufficient olcopy all
The papers that are contained in the re.
Sort that han at length found its way
aoon our desks. have looked v the
Annual Report Of the Auditor for i847,
~ which this item occurs, and find no
further explanation than the item itself