Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1858-02-24
From the Cleveland Leader.
THE STATE TREASURY DEFAL-
CATION.

CAT1UN.
What Breslin says What Breslin ,Con't
say-Hs hint to those rho aCiH
understand
The report ofthe Special Commission
er. Thomas Sparrow. and The Auditor
of State, F. NJ. Wright, on the condition
of the State Treasury in June, 1857,
made in pursuance of the acts of April
8. 1856. and March so, 1857, states the
real amount of the defalcation to be
FIVE HUNDRED SEVENTY,FOUR
THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED TEN
DOLLARS AND FORTY SIX CENTSl
After detailing the facts elected in the
investigation. the report says:
s'It is our opinion that John G. Bres-
lin abstracted the money from the Treas.
ury, and that William H. Gibson by
concealing the defalcation and denying
IFS existence. has disregarded truth and
his sworn oficiarduty. Whatever may
be their respective legal liabilities, we
are not able TO discover any difference in
the moral character Of their actions"
When the enormous defalcation was
discovered, Breslin put paddock on his
mouth farther than to deny any indebt.
edness to the State, remained in Colum
bus without being arrested until about
the time he was indicted by the Grand
Jury of Franklin county, and then placed
himself beyond the reach of process by
fleeing to Canada. If he had stolen a
horse instead of half million, Justice
would doubtless have been more vigi-
lant.
The deposition of Breslin has recent
ly been procured, to be used in the trial
of Gibson. For the purpose of taking it
Gibson proceeded to Hamilton, Canada,
accompanied by his council, Mr.. Watson,
of T'ifin, and Mr.. Sparrow on the part
of the State. The deposition is in sub
srance as follows:
Mr.. Breslin discharged the duties of
State Treasurer from January 18th,
1852, 10 January 18th, 1856, and swears
that he paid Gibson, his successor, s353..
s65.34 cash or its equivalent, including
$50, 900 in securities due the State from
the Dayton Bank. Gibson executed the
receipts copied into Sparrow's Report,
and no others; and Breslin further swears
that he holds no other receipts executed
by Gibson within the last six years, on
any account whatever; and that no mon
ey has been paid by him 10 Gibson with
in the last six years, except some en-
braced in said receipts. He also states
that he never deposited with or loaned
Gibson any public funds while Treasurer
of State; that there have been no 6nan-
c;aI tr. -sactions between them involving
any public mGcey-"the transactions
were such only as migh.. naturally arise
between members Of the sans communi-
ty, and have no relation to the official
conduct of either.''
Breslin denies that investments, spec
uiations or operations have been made,
or entered into directly or indirectly,
with Gibson, for joint benefit, or for the
Individual beneGt of Gibson, at any time;
,eni,ss having made any communications
o Gibson in relation to the condition of
he pubii,,c mcuies before Gibson entered
Ipon the duti,,s o. Treasurer of State, or
.fter he entered upon those duties; or
laving any conversation With Gibson in
which he acknowledged his Indebted
Iess to the State of Ohio to Ee grGater
han s252, 1865. i
The following question and answer we
i've entire;
"Ques.-At what time or times did
'ou devote from the Treasury Of the
tate of Ohio the moneys which ought
o have been there when your term ex-
ired, and were not paid over to your
uccessor in Office? and state if you please
then the last of said monies were so d.
erted."
"Ans.-I decline to answer this ques-
ion; 1 am not in position here to answer
). with justice to myself or advantage to
be State. If any money was diverted
rom the Treasury during my term of {
flee, it was an error of judgement, and
OF of design. 1 never placed dollar I
fpublic money in the custody of Bank :
r an indiAidual, unless at the time, l S
opposed IFS payment unquestionable.- /
that in my private life l never q
ronged any one to the value ofs farth. t
g. the humiliation feel at my official q
Iisfortunes no oae can know but myself. i
have been led into my present difficult v
es BY relying upon assurance recog. O
ized as the most solemn known to t
onorable men. In the realization of y
lese assurances. l was disappointed at c
lie close of my term, and have the en- a
can only add further, that whilst in
y present position shall not be able
adjust the alledged deficiencies of the !.
reasury. l could hope with great :
that il enabled sooner or later, ?
could do that justice to the State, it
As been my pride ever to do between
an and man.,