Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1853-03-30
The Crow Bar Hill i'm Cleveaand-.-
Tricks of the Bankers.

| On Saturday, as required by law, Treasurer
DopaE waited on the banks, and demanded the
taxes, the per centage and poundage due by them
to the State Itwas anticipated by many that
they would lock their vaults, refuse to pay, and
even resist any attempts to enforce the collection
of the money. But it seems the wiseacres of the
constitutions had laid their heads together, and
concocted trick, game, over which they now
chuckle with all the extravagant joy of victors.-
The vaults were locked, but the keys were in
their places, and Mr.. DoDGE had only to make the
demand, and proceed forthwith to the vaults and
take therefrom the money due. The officers made
no resistance but entered their protest against the
entire proceeding. 55
| The Bank of Commerce, and the Forest CITY
Bank having been organized under the Free Bank
ing Law Of 1851, had but small tax assessed, and
they consequently paid it some months since.
| Mr.. DODGE took from the CITY Bank SlO.580:
from the Merchants Bank, 81, 1855; from the Ca
nal Bank, $9,216; from the Commercial Branch
Bank, $11 ,22O; total tax and poundage, $3S, ,98l
This amount was Immediately deposited in the
safe of the Cleveland Insurance Company, and all
was well. The laws of the State were efficient
| ly executed, MFR. DoDGE having done his whole
duty, and at the same lime acted fairly towards
the banks. -
At about four O'Clock, man named ]. g.
DEsHLER, of Buffalo, called on the Treasurer and
demanded the money as his property, showing at
the same time an assignment by which the banks
had made over to him (DEsHLER) the entire a.
mount. Here was the trick, the creditatle game
of the banks. =, They sold the the $28,9Sl to Mr..
DEsHLER for IS cents on dollari This bargain
was doubtless effected by previous arrange
ment, which had been kept in the dark. In
anticipation of this plan, too, they left the keys
in their vaults. Other versions of the affair are
afoat. One is that DEsHLER had deposited in
each bank an amount of notes equal to the taxes
of the bank and these notes were placed in such
a conspicuous position that Mr.. DoDeE would
take possession of them first. This is doubtful
story, however. stf ~ ~ e..rs-sz 10
Finding the Treasurer would not deliver him
what he called "his property" Deshler sued out
a writ of Repleuin in the United States Supreme
Court of Ohio, Mr.. Egan the clerk of which, be-
ing very conveniently and accidentally in the city
at the time. This writ having been granted, ii
was placed in the hand of Mr.. Smith, United
States Deputy Marshall, and at about s O'Clock,
demand was made for the money at the vaults Of
the Cleveland Insurance Company. Mr.. Critten.
den declined to deliver up except by order of Mr..
Dodge. Consultations were held. Propositions
were made. Time passed away. Finally at mid.
night the vault doors were thrown open, and this
dshonorable trickery consummated Mr.. Desh
ler pocketed the money. He was then required
to give $4,000 bond to await the action Of the
U. S. Court in the premises. This security was
given by the Banks. In this affair there is every
evidence of preconcerted action-the parties un.
derstood each other we'll, and their game worked
They took legal, but unfair advantage of the
! treasurer.
The question now stands, was this money after
it had passed into Mr.. Dodge's hands, the proper
ty of the Bank or of the State The decision o
this question will involve the constitutionality oil
the Crow Bar Law. But during tedious process
of litigation, the State will suffer, her credit be
impaired, and the interest on her debt perhapsre
main unpaid. ss
The moneyocracy of the country was yocifer
Gus in their support of the "Supremacy of the
Law when the fugitive slave bill was the topic
but when their Golfers are touched, 10. what
magic change occurs What is Law TO theil
heaped-up piles of gold