Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1857-08-27


Mr., Gibson has appeared before us, and
submitted to an examination. In hi,
deposition WHICH is here to appended, h,
declares that all bis official communica
tion relative 10 the payments alleged tc
have been made by Mr.. BresIin to hin
were false-and that be received but 1903,
S65 81 from him.
1t Is not unjust to say that his presen,
declarations, however solemnly made, are
not entitled TO any credit, unless sustained
and corroborated by the records of the Of
flee, the testimony of others, or the decla-
ration and conduct of Mr.. Breslin.
His Mr.. Gibson's) motives in making
such official communications he states were
two-fold:
1st. He was one of the sureties on Bres-
Inns Official bond-and the exposure of the
defalcation would involve the pecuniary ruin
of himself and co-sureties, who were his
friends and neighbors.
I'd. He thought that by concealing the
fact Of the defalcation, he could secure
the amount due the State.
Whether his motives constitute a justi-
fication for breach of official duty we
leave to another tribunal to decide.
In considering the evidence against Mr..
Breslin, in order to illustrate the mode in
which business has been transacted be-
tween successive Treasures it seems prop
er to go back to the time he assumed the
duties of that office.
Mr.. Breslin in taking charge of the
Treasury in January, 1852, opened a new
set Of books transferring to them the vari-
Gus balances which appeared to be due
from his predecessor; Mr.. Bliss, and subse-
quently executed to him receipt therefor
Of which the following is copy:
TREASURY OFFICE, ONO.
Columbus, Oct. 20, so.
Received of Albert A. Bliss, ESQ.,, late
Treasurer of State, payment in full of all
balances charged against him as said Treas
ury on the books of this Office, January l2
1852, and all Indebtedness which has ap-
pearaed against him up to this date.
j. G. BRESLIN, TT. of State,
Any one on reading this receipt would
have supposed that Mr.. Bliss had paid over
all the money due the State. Sush was
not the fact. The Receipt was false
There was balance of $65,OOO due from
Mr.. Bliss, which was not paid until more
thanthree years after this date.
In response to resolution of the Senate
of Decembery 1852, NJ. Breslin addressed
an official communication to that body
which is equivalent to positive assertion
hat Mr.. Bliss had paid over to him all the
public funds belonging to the Treasury.
The motives which induced NJ. Breslin
70 execute this receipt and make his official
the undersigned will not attempt
10 divide. His acts were clearly calculated,
and it is fair to pesume, intended to mis-
cad and deceive. 1t was an unfortunate
commencement of an official career. Truth
S quality which the people have right
20 expect in official statements of its sworn
ervents.
The report of Mr.. Breslin for the fiscal
'ear euding Nov. Is, 1856, shows bal
nee of s6s3,574,9O at that date in the
'reasury. In the same report he states
hat the Commercial Bank of Toledo, the |
he City Bank of Cincinnati, and w. w.
Jones & Co., had failed with an aggregate
# fSl53,s5l,ls of the pnblic money in their
lands. The subtraction of rhis sum from
he amount in the Treasury, leaves a clear
'alance of S559,723,72. Upon this bal
'nce there was no extraordinary demand,
Except for the payment of interest on the
oreign debt due Jan. /, 1856, which |
with the expenses as charged
" him to $421,320,75. Deducting this |
rom the clear balance in the Treasury, as |
hown by his report, there is still balance
f S13S, ,402,97; sum sufficient with the
egular daily income of the State, to meet |
Il its liabilities until the settlement with |
he County Treasurers in the FEBRUARY fol-
owing. Besides the last mentioned |
mount, Mr.. Breslin had in his hands $94,-
'ss,ss-the funds of the Canal Bank of
cleveland, which he does not notice in his
eport.
With the funds in his phssession amply
dequate to meet all demands which could
% made upon the Treasury, he issued a
ircular to the County Treasures, referring
hem to the act of lS4l, aud calling upon
hem to make the advances required by
hat law to enable him to pay the January
,terest. In compliance with the demand,
he County Treasurers paid into. the State
'reasury $3.50, 70 between the 9th day
{ November and the time at which be was
lcceeded by Mr.. Gibson.
1t is true that in making this demand
pom the County Treasures, he acted in
with the provisions of law, and
lie long established practice of the Depart
lent, yet it could not have been intended
nat the law, or the prctice should contin-
g after the reason of them had ceased.-
has been shown that he had sufficient
leans to pay all the claims against the
'reasury, without making teis demand.-
Why them, did he make it? The testi-
lony of Mr.. Hines, late Treasurer of Frank
n county, discloses the fact that there was
n extraordinary anxiety on the part of Mr..
reslin, to receive the $4,000 due from
nat county. He called twice at the office
the County Treasurer, before thh officer,
r reasons assigned in his deposition, very
luctantly paid it. If there was, as the
,oks showed there should have been, more
an half million in the Treasury, there
as no valid reason for the anxiety which
, exhibited in this instance.
The facts disclosed in the deposition of
lr. w. d. Deshler, furnish unequivocal
'idence Of an empty Treasury towards the
ose of Mr.. Breslin's administration. The