Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1852-02-12
Frauds Os the Public Works.
Investigating Committee.


Some days ago Mr.. Muhlenburg submitted
resolution in the Senate, which was adop-
ted calling on the Auditor General and State
Treasurer for State Of the real cost and
receipts of the State Improvements. 1t is
surmised that the true condition of these
works is not given in the annual report, but
is Suppressed by the commissioners or their a
gents. Hence the resolution of inquiry, which
is designed to elicit truthful statement of
the condition of affairs, but whether it will
succeed is doubtful question.
Subsequently, Mr.. Wise, of Jefferson, in
troduced resolution in the House asking the
appointment Of committee to investigate the
management and condition of the Portage
railroad, which was also adopted, and the
committee was appointed as sfollows;-Messrs
Wise, O'Neii, Leech, Rhoads and Fife. AT
ter the appointment of this committee. it was
ascertained that the chairman was in earnest
in the movement and contemplated a thorough
investigation, not only of the actual condition
| of the road, but also of CERTAIN rumored frauds
! in relation to contracts and other matters, dis
closing system of favoritsm and corruption
which would Startle the public and bring con-
fusion and disgrace upon the commissioners
and their agents.
This state of affairs would never do; and
terrible Auttering ensued amongst the friends
of the commissioners, and accordingly on
Thursday last. Mr.. >Shugart moved arecon-
sideration of the vote on the resolution ap-
pointing the committee. This gave rise to
an animated debate, in which Messrs. Mey-
ers, Wise, flanagan, and Har: opposed the
motion to reconsider and Messrs Shugart,
Rhey and James (of Wsrren) favored it.
MIR. Wise pronounced that road to be the
hOt-bed Of corruption, and burning idzar-
hOUse Of iniquity'
! Mr. Flanagan made very eloquent: speech
npon this text. He regarded the motion az
an attempt to stife = proper inquiry and have
rehiteuGshiRg committee raised.
| Mr.. Hart stated in his place that the Ca
nal Commissioners pledged themselves last
yea-. to apply the appropriation of Sl75, 900
to making a road from the foot of Plane No.
! to Plane No. 4, which pledge had been vi
olated. He had prepared an amendment to
the appropriation bill of last year to that ef-
feet but had not offered it, in consideration of
the pledge referred to.
Messrs Bonham and Blair would be in ia
vor ofthe motion, had il not been for the public
charge on the floor ofthe House, of corrup-
ton. In view Of this charge, they thought
the investigation should be made.
! The House adjourned without disposing of
the question, and the subject has not since
! been resumed.
We trust the investigate will not be
smo:hered, as such matters too generally are,
but that it will be faithfully and honestly pros
ecuted. and if fraud and corruption exists, let
it be exposed and the perpetrator. punished
and held up to the public scorn.
We heard of these rumors of frauds on the
1 Portage and other portions of the public works,
during the late canvass for Governor, and
drew attention to them in the Daily Ameri-
can. We had no doubt then, and We have
none now, but that large amounts Of the pub
lie funds were msapplied for electioneering
purposes. One of the rumors then prevalent
was, that contracts had been made by the
Canal Commissioners to the amount Of sever
al hundred dollars more than was authorized
by the Appropriation bill. This money, or
at least part oft, was drawn from the State
Treasury, which may account for the neces-
sity of loan of S3O0,00O to pay the Februa-
ry interest as the very first act of the new ad-
ministration on assuming the reins ofgovern-
ment. We have no doubt but fair and hon
estinyestigation Of the conduct of the Commits
sioners and their agents during the past year,
would disclose system Of corruption and
fraud such as never before was exposed 10 the
public view.
Let US have the investigation; but no
whitewashing committee-no suppression Of
the truth The people desire to know the
whole facts, and and will hold the guilty, to a
strict accountability. The day Of retributiou
may yet Weekly American.
Congregational Districts i'm New
Jersey.
A bill passed the Senate of New Jersey on
Wednesday last, dstricting the State accor-
d;ro ~ tha G;Y4b Capsro Tho pornl,t;or