Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1852-01-05
From the Cincinnati ENQUIRER.
From the CluciHnatl EHquiFef.
The State FinnanceS-A Reform need
ed-Whig Iieb-g0bliBS.

cesslty OF the next Legislature VI .hiS 0'"'e
adopting some 81 stem of finance that,ln the
Language of that paper, will make the pub
lie treasury the bona fde depository OF the
public funds and leave the State agents with
out reasonable excuse for granting the
use of The public moneys to any but those
to whom they are entrusted by statute
The Patriot is edited by Mr.. MORGAN,
who lately was chosen by the people OF
Ohio, to preside over the fnancial depart
ment Of the State in the Auditors office:
The suggestion, we think the reader VIII
admit, whatever bis political associations
is sound, judieious and necessary one,
which the people of the State need to have
carried oul. But how is it treated by some
Of the organs of the Wing party2 The
StubenyiIle Herald, which found ready
echo in the Columbus Journal, attempts to
sneer it down aud stigmatize it after this
fashion. Haer it:
MoReANIzlNe.-W.D D Morgan, Audit
or of State elect, and editor of the Ohio
Patriot, insists on the people of the State of
Ohio adopting for the @safe keeping of the
public funds" an aIndependent Sub-Treas-
ury'-so signally exploded with the ad-
ministr alton Of Van Buren.-The plan, we
hay'nt the least doubt will "carry OUT
that is, if the people will permit the officers
to deposit the money there, then the loco
Leg Treasures viii "carry 1t o"t!"
The Dayton Journal sees something in
the suggestion demanding more than
sneer; It fancies the hob-gobblins of aa0ar
upsn banks" tases in specie" "6reaking
doaon Of the old safeguards Of conserua.
tism," &c not only lurking under such
plain, pointed, unambiguous suggestion,
but are absolutely boldly standing out upon
it as the real intentions Of the "loco foco
leaders" who, as the journal affects, 3em-
boldened by their success at the rese mt elec-
iion, are determined to make an open exhi
bition Of the Destructive schemes which
have long been hidden in their hearts!" All
this, and much more, is manufactured out
Of that simple recommendation of the State
Auditor elect.
We care nothing for the fitful fancies Of
these partizans, for they are entirely char
acteristi, of that class whenever reform
is suggested in democratic source. We
might properly term them something else
than fdncies, for what else are they than
unwarrented fabric atoms? We will say
word, however upon the causes which we
think imperitively call upon the law-making
power for some such measure of reform as
is spoken of. The Auditor elect himself
adduced the causes as the promptings Of
bis reccomm ead alton, when be said:
@The triumphant result Of the recent
election in Ohio, considered in connection
With the risks and losses which are insepa-
rably associated with the habit of loaning
the State Funds to Insurance. Railroad
and Banking companies, render it emf
nently proper that the 1tlegislature should
pass such laws as will put an effectual stop
to his hazardous practice.
Again he says:
"If such system be not provided, and
the laws be left as they are at present, the
public officers may feel justified, if not in
struc,ed, to follow the example of those who
have preceded them from the first organiz-
alton Of the State.
Herr, then, the reader has the inducenent
for the needed reform. Is there any thing
about war on the banks,-or paying taxes
in specie,-or breaking down the old safe
guards of conservatism! Observe that
last most notable phraseD 1t is conced-
ed fact that for years and years the reve-
nues gatherd into the State Treasury, and
from thence transferred to Bank vaults have
bee used bv individuals as capital for spec
ulations. However poor the incumbents
Of the Treasures off1ce may have been upon
their ingress, yet, upon small salary,
scarcel y competent to living at the capital
their egress has been distinguished for the
tuealh carried with them. This is not all.
OF late the public funds as it is how gener-
ally understood, have been gathered from
the pockets of the people and in large sums
loaned, as the Patriot says, to Insurance
Companies, Railroad Companies and
Banking Companies. Nor is this all!
The funds, so mal-appropristed by public
functionaries, are hazarded in their safety;
a large amount is probably lost entirely!
Shall these trasactions be tolerated
in the past and present officials, and by the
inef6ciency Of the Legislature, be encourage
ed in their future successors? If no pro-
hibi,ory enactment is adopted, will not the
State officers be licensed to follow the Prac-
tice of predecessors Then. let reform
measure be affected. Cut loose the State
Treasury from every specializing assocition,
Call it what you villa statute to main-
tain the integrity Of public officers, or Sab.
Treasury, to keep the fng ers of private
spectators out Of the public purse, e,or, what
those Whig partizans most dread, an in
struction to punish as penal offenders,
those who are guilty Of dishonesty in their
official relations-a measure of this charac-
ter is essential to the interest of the State,
and is demanded by the sober judgment
Of the people.
Rag Money and Tariff.