Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1857-03-19

fore The Senate involve matters OF much inter-
est aud importance, and demand our careful
consideration. When the Senate adjourned
last eyening, on the motion Of the Senator
from MahOniug, Mr.. Taylor } suppose he IN
tended when they should be reached in their
order to-day, to give US his views in opposition
10 them; but as he does not seem disposed to
avail himself Of his privilege, will beg the
Indulgence Of this body while state the rea'
sons which compel me to give them my supper;
end trust shall not be deemed intrusive by
Senators, If l shall trespass upon their time
longer than have been accustomed to do since
have had the honor Of seat on this floor.
When took my place among you' put
curb on my lips. and Senator'S will bear me wit
ness that have held tight rein upon it ever
,ince. cOnaning myself at all times, to the brief
est expression Of views, upon matters before
nv consistent with faithful discharge OF my
Auties here. | therefore throw myself With
confidence on your fOrbearance on this Occa-
sion.
II seems to me proper, Mr.. President, that
ns the views OF those of us who sustain these
resolutions have been misrepresented, probably
because they have been misunderstood and
our motives impeached: as opposite views nave
hssn ;0dus,riously circulated, while ours have
been left 10 vindicale their own claims to puo
lie confidence, should Ocsupy so much time
in their discussion as may be necessary TO state
thu reasons for the action which they contem-
plate.
These resolutions, Mr.. President, propose &C
withhold all appropriations fol keeping Inc ruo
lie Works Of the State in repair, under the con
tracts made with the Board OF Public o'Es
Nov. IS, 1865. But they also propose open
ing the Courts Of the State to any con'rac1o
who NAV consider himself aggrieved, 10 wuic'
he may sue the state and obtain tuII compe"
sation in damages, il the contracts were ho"e'
IL, fairly and legally made. They further pro
ross that /, asmuch as the contractors hav
nrovided themselves with materials to prose
cu,a The work. the Board of Public Works ma
;f,ha contractors desie it, take those materIa
At their appraised value, in order that they sh'
sustain no loss by our terminating the col
tracts, and leaving their materials on the
HANDS.
These con tracts wers made under the law
March 6, I845. which authorized the BOAR
when. in their opinion, it would be for the Pu
lie interest, 10 let by contract. the keeping
the Public Works IN repair. Tie law contal
this provision "The Board shall give
notice of the time and place of le:tiag OF sa
repairs, with the plans and specifications
said repairs and the manner OF dong the sa
and the Board shall let the same BY sector
10 ,he lowest responsible biIder, for any te
Of wears rot exceeding FIVE, upon the condE'
that the bidder or bidders shall make' exec'
and deliver to said Board bond with secu
to be approved by said Board" &c 1t IS
der the authority Of the statute, and oil 'h'S
vision, that these contracts are claimed TO
hsor made. the contracts all running for
full term Of FIVE years, and the questions
volyed in these resolutions before u.s. are til
Are thsse contracts binding in law and ID
coincidence on the State? OF are they void
eause tainted with fraud, or becau'e not
IN accordance with law, or for both reasons
bined7 And il found to be void, the tuI
question arises, what is the duty OF the St'
ihe premises These questions | proceed
consider.
The Board divided the Public Works
eight sections.
Section | includes the Ohio canal from
land to the Walhonding Aqueduct and emit
tina, Aoueduct and the WahOnding Ca'
trb;a vas let to A. Medbery d Co., for
ooo ner year. There were six lower biz
THE Lowest was for S91 900. by Myron II
trha evidence before us satisfies me, in IL
ou,ue Of one of the Board. IA namesa
mine. am sorry to say, "that his sec
were ample, and his reputation as br
man all-suficient."
Session embraced the Ohio Canal
from section 9 to the foot Of the lower
Rockville, including the Dresden side
This was let to Doyle Il Miller, for y
per year. In this case there we're Tour
bidders, the lowest being $2o,O0O, by To
Mvron II. Mills In this contract.
Dovle & Miller, E. S. Hamln, who &C
Attorney for the Board and Samuel g.
and Lewis w. silford engineers in the
Of the sta.e, were interested. but suose
sold out to Doyle y Miller, for s4 600
Section 8, the residue of ;he Ohio Ga
let to Cooper shaddnger Il Co.. for
Der year, that being the lowest bid ]
tract il is not proposed 10 disturb
Section 4, the Hooking Canal, was