The Tiffin tribune. [volume] (Tiffin, Ohio) 1848-1859, 1857-07-24
Migttllanu.
The Treasury DefaIoations.
YoUNasrowN. June 21th. M

YoUNGsTowN. June 9th, 1857.
TO ths Editors Of tie Cleveland Her
atd.-The suggestion made by you some
days since, subsequently repeated in 9th.
Or journals, that it is mystery how 80
large a detalcation in the Treasury. as
shat recently made known. could have
been 50 covered up rs to screen il from
the observation Of the Investigating Com
mitIee, makes it proper for me to say
something on the subject. TO give fair
understanding Of the condition Of things,
1t is fit, perhaps necessary, TO 90 some
what into the political as we'll as financial
history of the Sta'e Treasury for few
years back. In january, 1852, Mr.. Bliss,
who had been Treasurer about four years,
was succeeded by Mr.. Breslin, who was
the editor of Democratic paper in Tifin,
Seneca county, and had been Speaker OF
the House of Representatives. At that
time Ihere was deficit in the funds of
the Treasury amounting to 60, 900 dollars.
This sum was paid, in the manner st,led
in the report Of the committee during Mr..
Breslin's two terms-40, 900 dollars of il
during his last official month. This def
cit was concealed by Mr.. Breslin, aud its
existence denied by him in a communica.
tion TO the Senate, dated December %,
1852, in answer 10 a resolution of that
body, which was, as l am informed
prompted by Mr.. Morgan, then Auditor
Of State. The answer did not satisfy
Mr.. Morgan, who continued to believe
during his term Of office, that Mr.. Bliss
had not fully paid up and that Mr.. Bres-
lin himself was using the public funds
for his own purposes.
The laws regulating the Auditor and
Treasurers offices, and for the safe keep
ing of the public funds were inadequate
Mr.. Morgan sought to have them amen
ded so as better 10 protect the Treasury
This the Treasurer resisted, and upon IL
the Democratic party was divided. Each
of these officers had his friendsi in the Leg
islature ald out of iJ--among the public
officers and the leading politicians of the
party. The division extended beyond
the interests aud views Of these two Off
GERS, into other party questions, and affee-
ted the party generally, In some instances
becoming quite bitter. One result was
the establishment at Columbus of the
Ohio State Democrat newspaper, with
which Gov. Medill, Mr.. Allen, Mr.. Nor
gan DR.. TreviLt, and others of their wing
of the party, were said to be connected.
The Statesman aud its friends, as viii
necessarily be inferred, were of Mr.. Bres-
Inns, or the Treasury party, as were sew
eral other prominent politicians who
might be named.
Mr.. Morgan was generally regarded as
possessing official integrity, but very lit
tie suavity Of manners. In refusing to
audit claims on the treasury deemed by
him illegal or improper. he did itin way
but little complimentary TO the honesty Of
the claimant. making scarcely any differ
enoe between an honest man and rogue.
He was also an exceedingly bitter parti-
zan.
The Treasurer, Breslin, in his personal
bearing, was the reverse of she Auditor
He was social with his party friends,
which Morgan refused 20 be. As might
have been expected under such circum.
stance, the Treasurer prevailed over the
Auditor no doubt to the detrimental the
public service. The measures sought fol
the protection of the Treasury did no
pass. In 1853. Mr. Breslin was re-
elected Treasurer, aud thus second
time indersed by the party, obtaining
thereby some advantage over the Auditor
who had been elected but once, although
for four years, In 1855 they were boil
candidates for re-slection. They wer
stiil at swords points, exhibiting no coin
oidence in each other, and having as liz
tie personal intercourse as was possibl
in the discharge Of thor official duties
Each as necessity 70 himself, aGquiesoe
In the nomination Of the other. and SUP
ported him. Both were defeated aud sue
oeeded by Republicans Mr.. Gibson VIII
is said to be connection Of Mr.. BresliI
was elected Treasurer, and came into Of
fee January IA, 1855, The LegislataI
elected At the same time WAS Republican