Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1857-03-27

4
L. Williams wero the two first Canal Com
missoners. They being Wings, Demo.
cratic Legislature bad before that time in
stituted an investigation of their dongs
and used great exertions to find something
wrong in them, but failed. Their accounts
proved to be all right and no act of theirs
could be impcached. After Kelley and
Williams, and up to 1S45, the Public Works
had been under the charge Of two Wings, |
and five Democrats. On examination, it was
found that the State owed ono of the Wings, |
Samuel Forrer, $40 92, and the other, VIM.
Fl. Pierce $50 46; and that every one of tho
five Democratic members of tho Board, who
lost no opportunity Of making loud profess
ions of love for the people, wero in default.
Tho lowest amount was s2,269 43, and the
highest $l9, ,353 OF; and in all $685. ,207 SO.
But this is not all. Tho testimony taken
by this committee, prove that these Demo
cratic members of tho Board of Public
Works were guilty of the grossest favorit-
ism in the letting of contracts, and in the
appointment of superintendants and engi-
neers. Theynot only appointed men known
to the Board that they wero unfit, but re-
tanned them in office after it was known to
the Board that they were constantly de-
frauding the State. Mr.. Spencer, Demo-
cratic member of tho Board, in l942, APP
poited one Yontz, engineer on tho National
road. This appointment was not made ac-
cording to law, being made by Spencer
alone, and never passed upon by the Board.
The frauds of this Yontz were so gross and
papablc, that they became notorious along
the whole limo of the road under his charge.
Mr.. R. Patterson says he informed mem
bcrs Of the Board Of these frauds, in the
winter of 1884, but the Board treated
the matter with silent indifference. In the
winter of lS44-5, committee Of the Sen.
ate investigated the matter, and informed
the Board Of the frauds they had discovered.
Still the Board refused to turn out Yontz
but retained him until they were themselves
turned out of office. What was the reason
The inference naturally arises, that some OF
the Board were SO deeply implicated in these
frauds that they dare not turn out Youtz
for fear he woull expose them. This is moi
a very far-fetched inference, taking into con
sideratlon the fact that General John Pat
tcrson, Democrat, was removed, without
any charge against his capacity or fidelity
to make room for this Yontz, who, togeth
or with his accompliccs, dcfraudcd tho STATE
out of more than $4,000. How these
men must have loved the dear people
heard one of them say, in public meeting
composed of nearly all the Democrats il
Sandusky township, that he really believed
that every one of them was fit for Governo
of the State, and he made good many o
them believe it was true. am told thi
. Mr.. Spencer, formerly Democratic mcmbe
. of the Board of Public Works, is the sam,
man whom President Pierce recently ap
, pointed Marshal of Kansas. Surely, tn
, President could not have found more Fl
instrument to aid the Pro-Slavery Democ
racy in their efforts to fiisten the curse o
Slavery upon the once free soil of that out
ragged Territory! Similar frauds were prov
of the Public Works, but will not detair
the Senate by referring to them now.
The Senator from Auglaize says these
disclosures do no good. He must think i
better for the people not to know how, oil
4 by whom their money is squandered. L
+ would undoubtedly, be moro agreeable, anC
more for the interest of some of these very
atfectionate Democrats, to keep these thing
in the dark; for, at the very next election
. after this exposure, the Democrats werc
hurled from power and their plunderine
stopped, for while.
fl But, in February 1851, the Board wa
composed of people-loving Democrats, whC
: Immediately commenced the same systen
of favoritism and extravaganza which ha
5 always characterized the management O
tho Public Works, when under the contro
of that party. For example, take the Mau
NEE & Western Reserve Road, which is bu
a fair sample of all tho rest. Judge How
land, who spent all his time on the Road
. personally experimenting the work, anC
, who was receiving $50 per month, was turn
ed out and man appointed in his stead
entirely unworthy of trust, who spent mucl
of his time riding to and fro in his carriage
t Of course $50 per month was not enough
q such Democrat, although it would do yer,
Y well for plain old Wing like Rowland
| whose service was far moro valuable, bu
did not require so many EXTRAS. Conse
, Quently his salary was raised to S65 pc
f month; besides, be was allowed to charge
the State with his postage stamps, station
cry, DC, which Rowland never thought o
charging to the State and which were no
required in the discharge of his official du
ties, at least, to anything like the amoun
\ charged. He was afterwards appointed u
f s. Deputy Marshal, for the Northern Dis
trct of Ohio, for which he is eminentl,
; qualified. He is just tho man to run dowi
fugitive slaves.
On the first of April, 1855, James J
Parks, particular pet of James B. Steed
man, was appointed superintendent.
Parks u Hayes, at the time, had con
tract for putting stone on the road, which
} was not completed until the next fall. Park
; was therefore paid 500 per month for super
intending himself and seeing that he per
; formed his own contract with the State
Z This is the same Parks, too who built tn,
, Flat rock aqueduct which was SO badl'
constructed that it fell down as soon as tn
water was let on TO it. Parks seemed {,
, have known that the work would not stand
: for it was completed only just in time, be
I fore tho water was let upon it, to enable him
) in great haste to procure its acceptance an,
, get his certificates which he sold to thir,
! parties. Here was a great loss to the State