Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1858-02-12
rHE STATE TREASURY DErAEcATIoN

sdy--Hs hint to those ,cho WiN ulder-
stand.
The Report Of tho Special Commission
or, Thomas Sparrow, and tho Auditor Of
State, F. NJ. Wright, on the condition of the
State Treasury in June, 1857, made in pur-
suance of the acts Of April 8, 1856, and
March 80, 1857, statos the real amount of
the dcfalcation to DO FIVE HUNDRED
SEVENTY-FOUR THOUSAND ONE
HUNDRED TEN DOLLARS AND FOR
TY-SIX CENTS! After detailing the facts
elected in the investigation, the report says: :
1t is our opinion that John G. Breslin alb
stracted the money from the Treasury, and
that William II. Gibson by concealing the
defalcation and denying its existence, has
disregarded truth and his sworn official du-
ty. Whatever may be their respective le-
gal liabilities, we are not able to discover
any difference in the moral character of their
actions.
When the enormous defalcation was dis
covered, Bresln put paddock on his mouth
farther than to deny any Indebtedness to
tho State, remained in Columbus without
being arrested until about the time he wa.
indicted by the Grand Jury of FRANKLIN
county, and then placed himself beyond the
reach of process by fleeing to Canada. i
he had stolen n horse instead of half mill
ion, justice would doubtless have been more
vigilant.
The deposition of Breslin has recently
been procured, to be used in the trial of Glib
son. For the purpose of taking it Gibson
proceeded, to Hamilton, Canada, accompa
MED by his counsel, Mr.. Watson of Tiffin
and Mr.. Sparrow on the part of the State
The deposition is in substance as follows:
Mr. Breslin discharged the duties Of Stat
Treasurer from January 10Th, 1852, to Jan
uary l4th, 1856, and swears that he paiC
Gibson, his successor, S353,s65,34 cash o
its equivalent, including $4,000 in securi
ties due the State from tho Dayton Bank
Gibson executed the receipts copied int
. Sparrow's Report, and no others; and Bros
a lin further swears that he holds no othe
receipts, executed by Gibson within the las
In six years, on any account whatever; an
that no money has been paid by him {
Gibson within the last six years except sum
n embraced in said receipts. He also state
tn that he never deposited with or loaned Gil
son any public funds while Treasurer
State; that there have been no financi
transactions between them involving an
public money-"the transactions were sue
: only as might naturally arise betweon men
u bers of the same community, and have I
relation to the official conduct of either"
r. Breslin denies that investments, spccul
tions or operations have been made, or eI
y tered into, directly or indirectly. with Gil
son at any time: denies having made AT
communications to Gibson in relation to Il
condition of the public moneys before Gi
- son entered upon tho duties of Treasur
Al. Of State, or after he entered upon tho
duties; or having any conversation wi
Gibson in which he acknowledged his
G debtedness to the State Of OHIO to be grei
er than $353,s65.
The following questions and answers we
given entire:
Ques.-At what time or times did r
md divert from the Treasury Of the State
cd, Ohio the moneys which ought to have be
fry there when your term expired, and whi
worS not paid to your successor in offic
ana 6Iate ii you pleASo Wneu tne iaSI
lss 4 ss said moneys wsre so diverted.
Ans.-I decline TO answer this questic
iS sSS am not in tho position here to answer
with justice to myself or advantage 10
ard, State. If any money was diverted fri
SSl, nS, the Treasury during my term of Office,
was an error Of judgement and not of I
~ a. sign. ! never placed dollar Of pull
80, ~. money in the custody of Bank or an in
" vidual unless at the time, l supposed
= payment unquestionable. Conscious u
y in my private life never wronged any {
to the value of farthing, the humliat
/ feel at my official misfortunes no one {
7 7. know but myself. have been led into
'0"' present difficulties by relying upon assur
4. ccs recognized as the most solemn kno
= to honorable men. In tho realization
these assurances, l was disappointed at
-, close of my torn, and have tho embarr,
VI, ments which now surround me. lean o
add further, that whilst in my present p
| at lion shall not be enabled to adjust the
legged deficiencies of the Treasury. co
I'm hopc with great confidence that if euat
sooner or later, could do that justice
1uss the State, it has been my pride ever to
between man and man.