Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1850-03-02
The state Treasurer and the Canal COM
ruiSsfonerS.

missiOners.
The charges brought against Mr.. Ball
by The Canal Commissioners, on which
committee was appointed in the House,
are now under examination at Harrisburg
Mr.. Ball very properly protested against
this mode of procedure, because nothing
of specific character had been alleged
against him, and therefore contrary to both
law and justice.
The examination of Mr.. Norris resulted
in the disclosure that no formal demand
had ever been made for the amount
claimed by his partners. On Monday
J. p. Anderson, Supervisor on the Upper
Juniata, was examined, and we give some
parts of the testimony to show how little
cause existed for these select proceedings.
Mr. A., after stating that he was generally
paid by Bell & Mcdowell at Holidays
burg, and occasionally at the Dauphin De-
posite and Harrisburg Banks, proceeds to
say
| was paid principally at Hollidaysburg-
sometimes at the Dauphin Deposite and Harris
burg Banks. | had my choice Of the worst kind
Of relief notes, or of Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana,
Illinois and North Carolina, together with some
Pennsylvania, which was not relief At the
Office Of Bell & M'Dowell, got good deal of
Virginia. | took this money in preference TO
relief, on one or two occasions. Bell & M'Dow-
ell are bankers, at Holdaysburg had good
deal Of difficulty in disbursing that money. !
T. / 1T. ,-, "a
myself That is not the kind OF money that
ordinarily circulates.
I made no complaint Of the character of the
money received, at the place where is was paid.
! think | did mention it TO you, Mr.. Ball, once
or twice. You said in reply, that you had is
sued circulars TO all the officers, not to receive
any thing but relief notes or notes of Pennsyl-
vania Banks, in good standing. | think | re-
marked, the money had got could not have
been received for tolls. / received the same
/ money here, but not at the Treasury. do not
know that | ever received any such, or any
money, Of any kind at the Treasury. j think II
probable that Mr.. Ball did tell me he had no
such money on deposite, at any of the Depos-
tories and that he also told me that should
refuse TO receive such money in future.
| think, on one occasion, / presented three
warrants which were not paid when presented.
| think it was only twice that any delay
CURED in cashing my warrants have drawn
the whole amount of the appropriation, for my
line the past year. All the orders, presented
by me, have been paid, and regularly present
ed, with the two exceptions | have already
stated in my examination IN chief. | generally
drew for from five to seven thousand dollars
The orders were issued regularly for the amount
appropriated, and presented as issued. There
was a large amount Of debts due on my diyi-
sion when went on it-amost two-thirds larger
than the appropriation. There was great dis
satisfaction among the claimants, for not get
ting their pay. ! came in for a larger share Of
the blame than the State Treasurer. ! always
told them that thelapproprIation was insufficient
II payments, in previous years, had been prompt
" made, this disquietude would not have exist
ed. The State Treasurer always treated me
courteously. ! never did observe any ncliua-
tion, on the part Of the State Treasurer, to
withhold payment. never called a second time
for payment on the same order, but left the or
ders with the Treasurer, who forwarded me the
drafts as have stated.
To a question from Mr. Ball, as 10 what had
been the practice Of the Treasury in former
years, and whether or not delays had not often
occurred in the payment Of these warrants, un-
der his predecessors in office, objection was
made by Mr.. Riley upon the ground Of irrela-
vcncy.
The question was afterwards allowed to he
put in a modified form; but the witness said
that he had no particular knowledge on the
subject. He thought, however, that moneys
must have been refused in former years, or the
old debts which existed prior 10 Dec. I54S,
would not have been 50 large