Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1858-01-06

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and wisdom of the States Tor their pre-
veniion and redress" Such declarations,
especially when accompanied with n rec
ommenda,ion of he issue by the Gener-
al Government Of a barge addition to the
mass OF paper currency in the form OF
treasury notes, ole calculated 10 Illustrate
the hopes OF reform which might be 9TH
trwise reasonably entertained. While
do not doubt that the General Assem-.
bly, will do whatever may be within its
constitutional power towards the object
proposed, | respectfully submit that its
whole duty will not be performed until
this matter be commended To our Sena-
tors and representatives in Congress BY
appropriate resolutions.
An actto incorporate new banks hav-
ing been twice submitted to the people
IN different forms, and having twice fail
ed receiving the popular sanction, it may
now be properly considered as settled
that the majority OF the electors do not
desire the further creation of institulions
OF the character proposed. l see no rea-
son. indeed. especially. if small notes be
once excluded from circulation, why the
business of banking may not be safely
Left as open and free TO all who desire o
engage IN 1t. as any other kind of bust
ness, care being taken that ample securi.
ties be given in bonds of the State or the
United States. and by the provision of
an adequate specie fund. FOR the prompt
redemption of all notes in coin. Bank
notes circulating as money are debts due
to the community at large, payable on
demand, and it is the duty Of the STATE,
representing the community. 10 see that
these debts are perfectly secured. Such
securities are indispensable; and | res.
pectiully submit TO your better Judgment
whether the experience Of the last few
years does not suggest The expediency of
requiring similar securities. or at least Of
providing efficient guard of some kind in
surfing prompt payment of deposits for
safe keeping.
The condition of the State Treasury
requires prompt attention.
On The 10Th Of June last, William H.
uiOsOu, lilC lllcu lIClSuiCl VI SLAies us =
closed TO the State Auditor the existence
of a deficit in The State Treasury To the
amount, as he stated. of about $751;. 900.
occasioned. as he alleged. by the defal-
cation of John G.. Breslin. his immediate
predecessor. At the earliest practicable
moment this information Was communi-
Gated TO me.
Up 10 this time l had not entartained
the least suspic ion that Mr.. Breslin had
failed to pay over 10 lis successor the
whole amount Of public money which had
come TO his hands, except the sums re-
ported by him as deposited with failed
Banks and Bankers, or retained by him
under claims for exchange. The repeat
ed declarations of Mr.. G BISON 10 this ef-
feet. in varied forms and on frequent &C.
c%asiOns, confirmed by the reports of the
several Legislative committees charged
with the examination of the Treasury,
aad by the report of the Auditor. alter
performance ofthe same duty. seemed to
leave no question Ou this point.
The allegation Of the Treasurer now
m4de TO The contrary. though supported
by strongly corroborating circumstances,
did not appear To me 10 be entitled TO
mach consideration, unless confirmed by
a thorou- h and impartial examination.
l awaited myself Of the earliest oppor-
tunity 10 conference with him TO urge
his resignation, expressing to him my
conviction that he had placed himself, by
his own statements. in the position of a
defpulter, and that he was consequently
liable TO an arrest, which would in my
judgment work a vacancy by disability.
10 be filed immediately by the appoint
ment of a new Treasurer.
Mr.. Gibson resigned, and | forthwith
appointed Alfred P. Stone, of Franklin
County, 10 the vacant office, who gave
bonds. was qualified, and catered upon
his duties without delay.
L, seems to be the opinion of some per-
sons that the Governor has SOM super
vision or control over the other Execu-
tive Officers, and is therefore in some
measure responsible for their action
Such persons do not ref ct that each OF
these officers is elected by the people.
and is made by the Constitution wholly
independent of the Governor. in the adj
m,ni,tration of his own department,
ccpt so far as the Intervention OF the lat
ter may be sanctioned by express enact
ment. The only act providing for any
intervention of the Governor with the &C
lion of the Treasurer. previous to Mr..
Gibson's resignation, wal that of April
8, 1856. The act authorized the Gov
ernor, upon request of the Auditor Of
State, to appoint a suitable person to aid
that officer in examining the Treasury,
and required him to direct the Auditor
to make such an examination under GER
tain circumstances. At the proper time
| directed the attention of the Auditor to
this law, and he made the examination
required by it, and reported that the
funds of the State were safe in the Treas
ury. He made no request for the ap-
pointment Of any assistant, and in the alb
sence of that request there was no au-
to appoin! one. His report. aud
those Of the Legislative Committees. fur
nished no ground Cor any further direc-
ton 20 him, and ION was otherwise made
known to me-.
A further duty was imposed upon the
Governor by the act OF Mlrch 30, 1857.
which required him TO appoint, once IN
there months. an Examiner OF the Treas
ury. The first three months had not ex-
pired when Mr.. Gibson resigned; but
believing myself %warranted in making
appointment st any time in the course
Of that period. and regarding the disclos-
ures which had been made as demand
ing an immediate and thorough %inves,i-
appointed Thomas Sparrow, oil
Franklin county. to that Office. The re-
suits Of the examination made by Mr..
Sparrow. are set forth in his report,
is herewith Transmitted. The ma
lure and extent of the defalcation; the
devices by which it was concealed from
the Legislative committees, and the Au
d itor of State. at the time 0 flheir several
examinations. ard the respective parts in