The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-01-13

BY the General Government of q large ad-
dition to the mass of paper currency in
the form of treasury notes, are calculated
to Illustrate the hopes to reform which
might be otherwise reasonably entertain
ed. While do not doubt that the Gen
eral Assembly will do whatever may be
within its constitutional power towards
the object proposed, respectfully sub
nit that its whole duty will not BE- per-
formed until this matter be commended to
our Senators aud Representatives in Con-
grsss by appropriate resolutions. sg5f4.
An act to incorporate new banks hay,
ing been twice submitted to the people
in different forms, ard having twice failed
receiving the popular sanction, it may
now be properly considered Is settled
that the majority Of the electors do net
desire the further creation of institutions
Of the character proposed. see no rea-
son, indeed. especially if small notes be
once excluded from circulation, why tbs
business of banking may not be safely
left as open and FREQ to all who desire to
engage in it, IS any other kind Of business,
care being taken that ample securities be
given in bonds Of the State or the Uuited
States. and by the provision of an ade-
quate specie fund, for the prompt rsdenp-
tiOn of oil notes in coin Bank rotes
circulating ~ money are debts due to the
community aslarge, payable On demand,
andit 10 the duty Of the State represent
ing the community. 70 Gee that these
debts are perfestiJ secured. Such secu-'
rites are iadispsnsable; and ! respectfully
submit to your better judgment whether
the experience Of the last few years does
not suggsst the expediency Of requiring
similar securities, or at least providing
efficient guards Of some kind, insuring
prompt payment Of deposits for safe keep
ing. s s.N5 -
The condition of the State Treasury
requires prompt tattention.
On the 10th Of June last, William H.
Gibson, the then Treasurer Of State, dis
closed to the State Auditor the existence
Of deficit in The State Treasury to the
amount, as he stated. of about 1851 .0o0,
occasioned, as be alleged by the defalca-
tion Of John g. Breslin, his Immediate
predecessor. At the earliest practicable
moment this information was communica.
/ ted to me. sfs3s
Up to this time ! had not entertained
the least suspicion that Mr. Breslin had
failed to pay over to his successor th,
whole amount Of public money which had
come to his hands, except the sums r.
ported BY him IS deposited with failed
banks and bankers. or retained BY him an.
der claims for exchange. The repeated
T declarations Of Mr.. Gibson to this effect
in varied forms and on frequent OCCASION
confirmed by the reports of the severa
Legislative committees charged with thl
! examination Of the Treasury. and BY thu
report Of the Auditor. after psrformanc,
of the same duty, seemed to leave nc
/ question On this point
! The allegation of the Treassrer nov
!, made TO the contrary, though support
ed BY strongly, corroborating circum
{ stances, did not appear to me TO be snti
tied to much consideration, unless con6rm
cd by thorough and Impartial. .examina
|. tioa. e5aYr
n i Availsd nyaelf Of the earliest oppor
!, tnnity Of conference with him to urge hi
resignation, expressing to him my cenvic
ttion that he had placed himself. BY hi
! own statements, in the position Of defaul
! ter, and that be was consequently liabl
{ to an arrest, which would in my Judge
Il ment work : vacancy by disability, to 3
j filled Immediately BY the appointment Of
. Insw Treasurer. s
Il Mr.. Gibson rssigned. and I forthvit
: appointed Alfred p. Stone of Frankli
: County. to the vacant olRce, who CAV
! bonds, WAS qualified. and entered upon hi
! duties without delay.
It seems to be the opinion ef some pei
! sons that tho Governor has some superv
: Ision or control over the other Executiy
4 OfRcsrs. sAd is therefore in some msai
: prs responsible for thsir actioa. Sac
j persons do not rsAsct that each Of thes
. officers 10 elected by the people, and
made BY the Constitution wholly indepel
: dent Of the Govsrnor, in the administrs
: lsiea Of his own department, except 90 "a
: ss the Intervention Of the latter may
. sanctioned BY express enactment. I'd
i only act providing for any intsrvsntion I
]. lths Governor with the action eftha Tres,
: |arer, previous to Mr.. ,Glbssa's resigaatio
! was that of April 8. 1856. That act n
. |shorized the Governor. upoa request (
], the Auditor Of State, to appoint suits
i BILE person to aid that officer in examinip
. the Treasury and required him to dirss
r the Auditor. to make such an examins
Z tion under certain circumstances. At tb
J. proper time, / directed the attention 1
!. the Auditor to this law, and be, made ii
8 examination required by it. and rsporte
i that the funds Of the State were safe i
. 1.-THE Treasury. He made no request fo
e the appointment Of any assistant and j
: the absence ofthat request. there Was q
autherity to appoint one. His report, an
: those ofthe Legislative Committees, fiji
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