M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1858-08-19


Great FIare-Up al Columbus lee
Chnse's OGllcInis ''FnIIing Ohtl''
---TeIling Tales out Of School |!
John Greiner, editor Of the Columbus Ga
zette and a Republican Of The moderate
stripe. has been exposing the rascality Of
Gov. Chase's officials, and showing up in no
very envi able light, the way things are con-
Quoted by the Republican regency at Colum-
bus. 1t appears that Mr. Ewing, who is,
also, moderate Republican, has been dis
missed from the WarGenship of the Ohio
PenitGntiary, and that rabid, underground
Abolilionist has been appointed in his place.
A fellow named Van Slyke is the newly ap-
pointed Warden. The manner in which he
got the appointment was this:-He was one
Of the Board Of Directors Of the Peniteni-
ay, which has the power TO appoint the
Warden. A vacancy recently occurred in
the Board and Gov, Chase appointed one Cy-
rus Mendenhall 10 ill it. Van Slyke, Men.
denhun and another Director named Breyfo'
gle, being majority Of the Board, then
turned out Ewing and put in Van Slyke,
the last named voting for himself! This is
the first time, in the history Of the State,
that Warden has been elected by his owH
vote, ,0nd is beautiful commentary upon
the Unsuitable love Of office common to the
freedom.shriekers. 1t is now charged that
Van Slykc, taking advantage Of his position,
and in direct contravention Of law. had been
supplying the prison with thousands Of dol
lars worth Of goods from his Oron store while
lie was Director! A man who will boldly
and unblushingly SET aside the law for. his
own prof. while holding one office, and then
becomes so Jspscious Of public plunder as
to use that Office TO votc himself into anoth-
er, is 100 mean TO live in a civilized commu-
nifty, and better deserves the place OF con-
vict Instead Of Warden in the Pententiury.
But, who is Chase's appointee, Cyrus
Mendenhall, who voted for his brother Abo-
litionist and Director for Warden? A few
OF his acts will give the reader pretty fair
idea OF the man. lie had just been appoint
ed Two days when he voted for Van Slyke.
He didn't like Mr. Ewing-'cause why? Ike
latter had detected clandestine and unlaw-
ful correspondence between the said Men,
denhall and convict named McGaY, and
had discharged guard in the employ Of the
penitentiary, through whom the cor;espon-
dence was carried on. Mendenhall would
direct his letters TO "Wm. H, McGay, care
Of John H. Nell, Columbus, o." One of
these letters was accidentally put in the Pen
itentiary post office box, and the secret cor
respondence was thus discovered by Mr.. Ew-
ing Nell, the guard, was turned of, forth
with, and Mendenhall thereupon became in
dignant aud demanded that he be reinstated!
This Mr.. Ewing refused to do, hence Men.
denhall's willingness TO turn out Ewing
Mr., Greiner quotes from MendenhalPs let
Ter to the convict, showing conclusivelT that
the latter was acting as spy for the former
Here is pretty kettle Of fish! Mendenhall,
a Black Republican member OF the Ohio
Legislature, and big toad in the Republi-
can puddle, in violation Of law, carries on E
secret correspondence with a "prison bird"
and when Nell, Through whom the cores
pOndence passed, and who had violated his
oath as guard Of the Pcnitentiary, is dis
missed, the said Mendenhall wants him re-
instated Now, it is charged that Governor
Cha Sc knew of this transaction of Menden.
hall, and yet he appointed him Director OF
the institution, the laws governing which
he haG so palpably violated. But this is not
all; this same Mendenhal went 10 Coum-
bus as a delegate to the Republican Conven.
ton, paying half fare on the railroad
While there he was appointed Director. Let
us see how the rogue looked after No. L.
Mr.. Greiner says:
"The Directors were in session two days,
for which they were entitled to Sc pay for
their services, besides travelling expenses
II will be remembered that Mr.. Mendenhall
came to thiscity as delegate TO the Repub.
Iican Conven tion, and was not appoin ted
Director until the day after his arrival. Here
is true copy OF his bill:
To four days services as Director, $l2,0o
expenses, Sc each way, 1900
S24,OOI
Extra for private conveyance, l,GOI
$500
1t vii be seen that this gentleman whose