Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-07-23
SAL, R1Es AND BONDS OF OHIO TREASURES.

Bv the Legislature OF lS45-o. commit
tee was appointed to investigate the fnanci-
al operations OF the Board Of Public Works.
That Committee made voluminous report
to the succeeding Legislature (lS46-7) 1t
was uncompromzng and caused wide spread
political excitement. The General Assem-
b'v which received it, probably to Offset its
political infuence-the- Board of Public
Works being Democratic-ordered an in
quest upon the Treasury, Joseph Whitehill,
a Wing being Treasurer.
The Treasury Committee sat during the
summer of lS47, and reported to the Legis-
lature which met in December of that year.
The investigation was thorough, and the re-
port temperate and candid. II made an ex
posi- ion of State Finances, and compla ined
vigorously of a careless and irresponsible
system of bookkeeping practiced in the
Treasury.
A A Bliss succeeded Mr.. Whitehill.
An apparent deficit rf 5000 was then ex-
posed. Mr. Whitehili claimed that he had
paid a note to the franklin Bank Of Colum-
bus for the state for that sum which NOT hav-
ing been recognized on the Auditors Book
by means of a certified warrant. had not
been passed to his credit. Various unsuc-
cpssful attempts to adjust this claim were
made BY Mr. Whitehall but it was not &C.
complished until after the Finance Com
mi;tee appointed in April. 1856 had reported
to the second session of the Fifty second
General Assembly (ls57.) That Commit
tee expressed fnll conviction that Mr.
WhitehiIl had been uniustly held response
be, and credit for 5000 was ordered to be
made in his favor on the books OF the Trea-
surv.
We now invite attention to a statement of
REPORTED DEFICITS IN THE OHIO TREASURY.
When Ascertained Amount
1920 lI,III 50
lS47 5000 co
1889. 5000 90
1855 90. .636 IT
1851 5f",S92 q
The Finance Committee of 1856 first
made public the details Of the deficit charg.
ed against A A. Bliss. Mr.. Bresiiu, who
succeeded him protected Mr.. Bliss from ex-
posure .by the manner in which he made his
reports and Bliss secured Breslin rom loss.
He finally paid to the State (in 1860 al
the money COR which he did not account
when he left flee in 1859.
Breslin's defici Os56) was alleged by
him TO have ben oo~e-ic~~d by the failure
Of parties with whom he had deposited
Civ Rank efCincinnan, 19.Sll IS
Daniel Rockn' ~ Dayton ~ % Is
W. w. Cones & 90 Cincinnati, 4I,leS u
Com. pank Toledo. 2o'2H -
Total 2c4636 u
Re~kel has paid into the Treasury Sl0.-
600. II is understood that ,ha claim against
him has been secured by morigng" on prop
er,v. To ascertain whether the other sums
can he recrvered.suit against Mr.. Breslin's
securities were ordered by the last Legisla-
ture.
VIM. Fl. Gibson was elected Treasurer in
the place Of John G. Bresln, in the fall of
1886. The Treasury under his control vas
subjected 10 the investigation of Senate
Financial Committee in the winter of 1856,
was examined BY Join, (specisD Financial
Committee in the summer OF 1886, and was
examined BY the Auditor in the winter o.
lS57-nn of which failed to expose Official
neglect or misconduct on the part Of the
Treasurer.
The investigations led however to strin-
gent laws imposing checks on this Treas
urv, and authorizing special examinations
under the direction OF the Governor and the
Auditor.
In spite Of suspicions and of investiga-
tions. Mr.. Gibson maintained the credi: of
the Treasury, and his own official standing
until draft had been made Upon him to
meet the July interest. On the 18th of
une. 1857, he acknowledged deficit Of
$40 $50 81, arising he declared from dsfal-
cations, of John G. Breslia, (which he had
concealed.