Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1850-04-19
The State Treasurer and the LoeofoeOs.

We have heretofore given some specimens Of
the testimony before the investigating commit
tee, and nothing has thus far been adduced to
substantiate the charges made against Mr.. Ball
by the Canal Commissioners. Mr.. B. has opened
his defence, and proved by Mr. Bell Of Holli-
daysburg and the documents offered the follow
ing facts that such money was paid out of the
Depositaries of the State as were received by
the State in payment Of tolls and that therefore,
all the clamor, which was raised about the kind
OF money not properly against Mr.. Ball,
but against that Treasurer under whose lnstruc-
tions such trash was received by the State Off
GERS. That in less than one month after Mr.
Ball went into Office, he issued circular to all
depositaries Of the public money, prohibiting
them from receiving on deposlte to the credit of
the State anything but notes of specic-paying
Banks of Pennsylvania, " Relief Issues" and
coin, and that when remember that he issued
a circular of similar character to the collec-
tors on the public works prohibiting them from
receiving in payment of tolls any notes except
the notes of specie paying banks of this State,
" Relief Issues" and coin, II Is clear that MIR.
Bali used all his official authority to purify the
circulation, and place upon the public improve
ments such funds as no one could reject. That
he broke up the very bad practice of paying
public officers their salaries IN advance, in order
that he might appropriate the more to the pay
ment of claimants on the public works. That
the Canal Commissioners broke over all the re-
straints which had hitherto controlled their ac-
tion, in determining to make run upon the
Treasury, such as had never before been at
tempted, with a view as is believed, TO cripple
the Treasury, prevent the payment of the Au-
gust and February interest-for which latter
loan was until this year made-to inJure the
credit of the State, in the hope that by so doing,
disgrace would fall upon the State Treasurer
who had control of the finances.
Mr.. Ball has also brought forward the various
acts of Assembly relating to revenue, to show
that the proceeds Of the greater part of taxation
are specially appropriated to the payment Of in
| terest on the public debt. That the Canal Com
| missioners did not cooperate with him IN his
efforts to sustain the credit Of the State, IS con-
| clusiyely shown by a comparison OF the semi
annual payments made at the Treasury IN mo
month previous to the interest becoming due, ny
which il appears that Mr.. Ball paid 10 the moh'h
of January, 1850, larger sum by Slo,li2 %
than the payments during January IN the years
l846. AZ, '48 and '49 amount to when united
and that he paid in July, l849, larger sum ps
Sao sa6 IN than the amount Of the July payments
oC the wears ls46, ~ and '48 when united!
is evident from the whole proceedings thai TINS
scheme was got I'D for the purpose oi lnJurihs
Gov. Johnston's administration oy Preseh'i's
the payment of interest on the puoiic oeo'' aho
then Withholding the funds in hand IRON iao0foi'
on the public works, so as TO creats An ioe'
among the workmen that IT was the iaul' u
Gov. Johnston and MIR. Ball The par'es O"
gagged in this low business have gained nothint
but an additional share Of what they before pos
eessed-the scorn and contempt Of all honora
BILE men.