The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1857-09-03
GIBsON'S FRAUD ON THE Urea
SURY.
Did Gov. CHI

In our arraignment Of Gov Chase for fragrant
OMISSIONS of duty in reference to the protection
and guardianship Of the State Treasury, we
have sought to attach to him no greater censure
than the law and the facts will justify.
We believe and have repeatedly charged, that
the great law of Alfred Kelley, passed April 8,
1856, had been treated with fatal Indifference
and neglect by Gov. Chase and that the action
of himself and the other Republican officers OF
State, proved them to be either ignorant of its
grave importance or shamefully at fault in the
discharge of the important duties it imposed
Let us look for a few moments at two or three
first, mark the following:
''SEC. Is. All the material facts ascertained
by the examinations prescribed by this act, shall
immediately on the close thereof or as soon
thereafter as shall be practicable, be communi-
Gated to the Governor, who shall lay the same
before the General Assembly at the commence
ment of its next ensuing session.
Here is specific, positive, important duty
imposed as well on the Governor as on the Au-
ditor. The Auditor shall make thorough ex-
animation into everything connected with the
Treasury and Immediately" thereafter report
GALL the marerial facts ascertained," and the
Governor shall lay the same before the General
Assembly at the very commencement of its next
ensuing session. Did the Auditor make this
examination in 1856? If he aid so, WHERE e
Is HIS REPORT showing "all the material
facts ascertaned"? If he made report such
as the law contemplated WHY HAS IT BEEN
SUPPRESSED by the Governor? Or, if the
Auditor omitted to make the report, why did
not the Governor compel him to discharge his
duty, or communicate to the Legislature a
knowledge of his derelction Of duty?
But it may be asked, what was the Auditor
expected to ascertain by his examination,
what were the several points which he was to
investigate, and what were the nature and
bearing of the material facts which he was re-
answer in brief that he was expected to bring
to light just such frauds as Gbson's friends
claim to have been practiced by him on the
Treasury in the use of the fictitious checks and
certificates Of bankers. But Ile laao itself will
best show what it was intended to accomplish.
Let US refer to the 18th and 14th sections OF
Kelley's law of April s. 1856, and though they
may seem long, let no man follow the bad exam
pie Of Gov. Chase and pass them lightly by
without marking the admirable thoroughness OF
their provisions. Now, let US read and note
them carefully:
"SEc 13. The Auditor shall, alone, or in
conjunction with such person as the Governor
shall appoint for that purpose, between the first
day of September and the first day of Novem-
ber in each year, and at such other time or time O,
times as he. shall deem necessary, carefully ex-
anime the books accounts, vouchers, o9icjal cor
,esponlence, ce,hifches Of depdsjt, and documents
in tie ofieeof the Treasurer, relating to the re-
ccipt, disbursement, deposit or custody of the
moneys Of the State, or any part thereof and
shall carefully count all the moneys remaining
in the treasury and shall also ascertain the Sums
or bplces actiaLy due the State on account Of mo-
neys deposited or kept elsewhere than in the
treasury office at Columbus, and the responsible
ity. Of the repositories thereof he shall also as
CPFtiJIH tbg tcfUbS UHt (UHft1LONS Dt BNtCW tUttg
such deposit Of money shalt hare been made, wheth
er actually agreed upon or understood, and es-
pecially whether any, and il any, what consid
eration byway of interest or otherwise, shall
have been stipulated for, received, or shall be eX-
pected by the treasurer, or by any other person
for or on account of any such deposit.
"SEc IL. To enable the auditor to make the
examinations required by this act, the treasurer
cI,oI ha In,,,opI of tha ouItnp cuhDtt n
his full and unrestricted examination, all the
books, accounts, vouchers certificates Of depos
it, and all other evidences of money deposited
to the credit or subject to the draft Of the trea-
surer, and all the official correspondence in theil
office or possession, or subject to their control
and the treasurer, shall moreover, on oath to bt
administered by the auditor, make full, true ant
explicit answers IN tO71ting, to all questions pu
to him by the auditor or by his direction touch
ing the receipt or the payment and touching thu
deposit of moneys belonging to the state. Ant
the auditor may examine or cause to be exam
ined ON OATH, any or all b0ok keepers and clerk
In the treesure,'s o4lce anil dDEPOSITARTES o
noneys beL,sging to the state all their clerhs, boo
keepers and agents TOUCHING THE PAYMENT Of
MONEYS INTO OR OUT OF THE TREASURY or of mo
neys remaining therein, or touching the deposi
Of moneys belonging to the state, elsewher
thanin the state Treasury at Columbus"
Here in the two foregoing sections, were tn
points plainly indicated whittier the attention
and enquiry of the Auditor were to be closel,
directed He was required to make full writ
ten report to the Governor on the special mat
ter Of his investigation, land this report wa
not to be mere general statement of his opn
ion that the Treasury was safe, or that the NOR
ey was all there, but it was to embo1y "al ma
terial fctsp relating in any way to the paymer
of money into or out of the Treasury, or touch
ing the use or deposit Of moneys elsewhere tina
in the Treasury, or in any manner not directl
authorized by law In order to ascertain whetf
er the money, drafts, cheeks certificates of de
Iposit, &c, in the hands Of the Treasurer at th
date OF examination, were the actual propert
/ OF the State, it was male the right and duty
the Auditor to place on oath not only the Urea
surer himself, but any and every banker who's
certificates or checks composed part OF the r,
sources Of the Treasury; and if this was n,
sufficient, thenh he had the right and power
require the attendance of "all the clerks, boo
I keepers and agents Of any bank or broker, al
E to compel them on oath TO tell what they kne
concerning any transaction involving the collie
! ton, custody or disbursement Of the public mt
ney. These were the ample provisions OF Il
law Of April 8, 1856, drafted and matuFed |
Alfred Kelley for the protection of the Treas
\ ry. To guard against any possible neglect
Q coaaiuanceof the Auditor, the framer of the Ia
!. wisely CT nfided to the Governor the means