The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1857-01-15

State for the last three years more arrant
humbug than the association which has this
work in charge,-an association which we
look upon as mainly impelled by q resolution
to speculate and plumber to the utmost pos
sblc extent. We have been as lenient to it
in our feelings as we could. We have de-
sired to be as charitable as possible. The
importance of the work and our anxiety to
see il completed have inclined US to overlook
no small amount Of chicanery and unlawful
gouging. That there have been illegitimate
and inexcusable transactions in this connec-
ton, has been abundantly demonstrated in
our columns And materials for still more
odious exhibition exist in abundance. But
to hope in spite of these that the great work
itself would come out completed in any rea-
sonable time, and TO cur satisfaction that
it would ever be completed at all,-seems, as
things stand, almost an objectionable delu-
sion, and lenency heretofore extended to-
wards the company in that hope appears like
an unwise and unmeritcd charity. We feel
constrained, therefore, hereafter to deal with
the company more vigorously and with less
reluctance. An item in the conduct OF their
affairs we propose to present now.
Mr.. Tracy is at present the Engineer of the
Company. He has occupied that position a
year or more. We were not disposed to i'm
peach the integrity of his intentions and the
position he was to fill, at the time he accept
ed the appointment, but the circumstances
attending the removal of his predecessor, the
relations existing between himself and one
or more Of the prominent directors and stock
holders of the Company, together with sal
AIRY which seemed to us exorbltant, indicated
to our mind, to our fears at least, that it was
a sort OF company and family arrangement,
that be was appointed because the Company
knew their man, thought he was more plant
than his predecessor, and that he had strong
pecuniary interest concurrent with that of
the Company. We were, therefore, some
what inclined, perhaps improperly, though
We think not without reason, to dlstrust the
There have been several notifications Of the
original contract. Those notifications have
been made in nearly or quite every instance
for the benefit of the Company, and have
sometimes been procured BY rather crooked
management. just on Mr.. Tracy's coming
into Office "a new modification had been made.
Under that modification the contracts for
last season were to be let, and.the summers
work was performed. Specifications agree
able to the terms Of the modification were
drawn up, aud bids were received from con-
tractors. But before bargains were compile
ted with the contractors, private stipulations
were made between the Company and tie
contractors that the work was To be perform
ed in a certain other and inferior manner
tnier this double set of contracts they went
to work. But Mr.. Tracy, ike an honorable
man, as he appears to have proved, com
according to the public contract. They could
not disobey him, of course, bat appealed TO
the President, Mr.. Johnson. That gentle
man directed the engineer 10 give the con-
tractors Instructions according TO the terms
of the private contract He issued the in
structions according to order, but when the
contractors attempted to avail themselves Of
their advantages, he promptly told them that
those were Mr.. Johnson's instructions, not
his. and he should demand the fulillment Of
the public contract And in the execution
of nearly all ihe WORK, no has been able to
compel adherence to that contract. The work
has. in consequence, been executed in u good
and durable manner, in the main. But the
upshot of the matter is that little has been
done, as might have been expected under
such circumstances, and Mr.. johnson in
forms the contractors that Mr.. Tracy will be
requested to resign. However, we don't
think he will be in any hurry TO perform such
an act, under such circumstances, and be-
fore he is removed, on ans such complaint,
we think there will be slight discussion
about matters and things in general.
In what we have said above, if we have
done injustice to anybody, we shall willingly
make any proper correction, bat We believe
what we have said is substantially If not lit
orally true, aud susceptible of proof.
slave Exemption.
bill has been introduced into the Florida
Legislature entitled San ac, to exempt from
levy and sale in thai state, by execution or
attachment, or other process, one slave"
which, It's believed, will become u law
The Lynehburg Virginiaa regards the
measure with distrust, as calculated to
"justly arouse deep aud general discon-
tent with the poorer classes, IND do more to
awaken prejudice against Slavery than any