Fremont weekly freeman. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1850-1853, 1850-10-05
sANDUSKY RIVER TMPROVEMENT.

L
Although the persons appointed commits
sioners by the Legislature to superintend this
improvement, have nothing more to do with
the proposed Rail Road than other citizens
it has been charged, as we are informed, for
the purpose of prejudieing the minds of the
people against the county Subscription, that
the River committee have been guilty of all
sorts of misconduct in the discharge of their
duties. Among other things equally false, it
has been charged that, certain of the COM
m;ssioners have appropriated to their own use,
portion of the money raised by taxation, for
the improvement of the Sandusky River To
satisfy every reasonable mind that these char
ges are false, we have only say that the law
requires that the commissioners render an ac-
count of their doings TO the county commits
sioners, which was done in June, 1s49, and
vouchers exhibited for every dollar expended
to the satisfaction of the county commission
ers, as viii appear by reference to their Jour-
nal in the Auditors Office. Since that time
there has been no money expended, except a
small sum for removing sunken vessel from
the lower channel, and small sum paid to
Capt Coles, for care Of dredging machine, for
the reason that dredging machine could not
be procured on reasonable terms.
The commissioners have received in all, ST.
657 81; and expended $6,411 S5 Leaving
$1246 So unexpended This money was at
first deposited in the Sandusky City Bank, at
5 per cent interest, subject to be drawn at any
time, the commissioners not knowing how soon
they might wish to useit. The Bank gave no.
tice that they would no longer pay that rate of
interest. 1t was then loaned to La @. Rawson
and Sardis Birchard, at per cent, and the
commissioners have their joint and several
notes for the amount, to be paid whenever
the commissioners call for it This money was
raised for the purpose of improving the navi-
cation of the Sandusky River, and it will new
er be used for any other purpose with our con-
sent 1t is the intention of the commissioners
to expend the money for that purpose just as
soon as it can be done to advantage. In the
mean time the interest is increasing the fund.
1t has also been charged that the money has
been improperly expended, and without pro-
ducing any benefit Is it true? In the first
place, the committee called to their aid the ad-
vice and counsel of the late Hon. Rodolphus
Dickinson, who had long been connected with
the Public Works of the State, and was sup
posed to know more about such improvements
than any of the commissioners He assisted
| in making an examination of the bars and fix
ed upon the points where the work was done.
The contract with Aaron Higgins was made
under his superintendcnce and advice. The
money was expended with as much economy as
possible, and the commissioners have received
no other compensation for their time and
trouble. save the abuse of those who make ii
point to find fault with every thing in which
they have not hand
Every one who will look at the matter with
unprejudiced eyes, must see that this improve.
mcnt has already been great benefit to the
people of Sandusky county, and if nothing
more should be done, they will be more thar
compensated for the taxes they have paid
The improvement of the Whitaker Bar is com
pleted so that the larger class of vessels pas,
without difficulty. This alone, is worth al
the money that has been expended The low
er Bar is not completed, but has been greatly
improved But for these improvements YES
sells could hardly get over the bars empty, ii
the present low stage of the water in the lake
and bay. it being lower than it has been before
in many years. The full extent of the bene
fits will not be perceived until ware houses and
vessels are built to facilitate the forwarding O
produce, All these things will come, but they
cannot be accomplished in one day or one year
at least by the few individuals who are under
taking to bring them about against the oppo
sition of those who ought to aid instead of op
posing these improvements.
JAMES JUSTICE,
JOHN R. PEASE,
P. P. BUCKLAND,
A. ]. DICKINSON,
Fremont, October 4, 1850.