American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-04-05
CITY OF FLAHCAsTER


from carrying oat.the American policy Of
Reform or exposing the corruption otofh-
.cials, that we would unhesitatngly arraign
them before the tribunal Of public opinion
and expose their Per6dy,to the public
gaze. ia Little did we think, however, at the
time, that we would ever be called upon to
perform the sad task. Recent develop
ments, however. have convinced US that
there was one unworthy man elected on
that ticket, and we deemit duty we owe
mot only to the public but TO ourselves, to
announce in as public manner as possible
that we were deceived in the character OF
the man whose name heads this article.
O Weeks before the nomination Of Mr..
Powson by the American Party The editor
OF this paper went to himIi in person and
secured from him pledge that in case Of
,his election to the Office Of County Auditor,
he would Immediately on taking his seat,
.sasist us in overhauling the books Of that
office for twenty years back, and held out
q - II
the idea that there were many develop
.ments to be mado that would open the
.syes Of the taxpayers ofthis county to the
wrongs which have from time to time been
practiced upon them. Mr.. Towson stated
to, us tha.a great many little peculations
might be brought to light, the aggregate Of
which would astound the community
As evidence: He stated that when the
public buildings were undergoing repair
thst the officers having charge ofthe same
would make out their bills for material at
one half more than it wonld actually re-
quirs. the surplus Of which they applied
TO the repair of their own private dwellings
or distributed It among their political
friends, for electioneering purposes,
"These things" he told us. "could be
shown up satisfactorially to the public by
reference to the books Such were the
promises he made us in order TO secure
our influence in having him nominated and
elected Auditor. Knowing that he had
acted .. deputy in the Auditors Office for
a long number Of years, We supposed him
better qualified than any other man in the
county to expose these county corruptions,
ash he ievidently been cogniEanttoag agreat-
er portion Of them. With these views and
with this understanding we went into the
contest and greatly assisted in Mr.. Tow
sons election. After his election We ask
ed him to comply with the promise he
made us before his nomination, not dream
tny that no would hesitate for one moment
to fulfill his pledge. But what was our
surprise and modification when lie sneak
ingly and cowardly answered "that there
were great many acts Of pcculation to be
discovered on the books of former county
Auditors. but that they were SO we'll cover
ed up that it would bo impossible to dis
soyer, lhem." notwithstanding he had pos
i:ively told US before his election that those
peculations could be exposed. and that be
sOouid Willingly and eagerly assist US in
exposing them. ar.
This, reader. was the way in which he
complied with that promise. proving moi
only treacherous to his friend but to the
American cause. Under these circumstan'
ces we can in no wise countenance him al
'a-man worthy the high position he now
occupies, ,--and We feel confident the A.
mericau Party will repudiate him as un'
worthy their. confidence and as clog OF
the wheel Of the car Of political reform il
this county. 1t is with deep regret We
feel called upon 10 make this statement.ye
We are deter mined to countenance corrup
ton and trcachery in neither the American
nor hyother party. 1t is our most ear
nest wish 70 purify the politics Of the coun
.oty from the, influence Of all such character
as James w. Towson. 1a tafH1 1E
Now if Mr.. Towson is not afraid Of i'm
plicating himself with the corruptions un
der the administrations Of Jeffries, Spur
geon, & Co., why is it that he refuses t
x investigate the official acts of these men
We honestly believe that there is some
'' ching rotten 10 be exposed in that ofice!-
This, too, is the candid opinion Of q larg
and respectable portion of the taxpayer
Of this county, who are determined that
thorough reform must be made in the ad
ministration Of the county government
but we fear they can never accomplish th
object with such men as James w. Tow
son occupying one Of the highestplaces o
public trust. 5A
This article is not written for election
eering purposes, nor from feelings Of vim
dictiveness further than indignation at tn
treachery Of one whom we assisted in el
Sating to Office and power. We,suppos
ed, before the election Of Mr.. Towson, tina
he would aid us in accomplishing lon
desired wish to ferret out and expose col
srnptions we believe have from time to tim
been perpetrated by the officials of thi
county. His holding out Inducements