Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1858-01-14
NO. 3.

Ahe NyulltlOu u hAe STATE lTeisufY re-
quires prompt attention.
On the 10th Of June last, William II
Gibson, the then Treasurer Of State, dis.
closed to the State Auditor the existence
Of a deficit 10 the State Treasury 70 the
amount as be stated, Of about $50 1000,
occasioned, as be alleged. BY the defalca.
ton Of John g. Breslin, bis immediate
predecessor At the earliest practical mo-
ment this information was communicated
10 me.
Up to this time l had not entertained
the least suspicion that Mr.. Breslin bad
failed to pay over to bis successor the
whole amount Of public money which bad
come to bis hands, except the sums report.
ed By lin as deposited with failed banks
and bankers, or retained BY him under
claims for exchange. Tue repeated decla.
rations Of Mr. Gibson to this effect, 10 va
RED forms and on frequent occasions, con.
hrmed by the reports Of the several legis-
latiYe committees charged with the exami.
nation Of tie Treasury, and by the report
Of the Auditor, after performance Of the
same duty, seemed to leave no question on
this point.
The allegation Of the Treasurer row
made to the contrary, though supported
by strongly corobcrating circumstances,
did not appear to me to be entitled to
much consideration, unless confirmed BY a
thorough and impartial examination.
/ therefore aya:ied myself Of the earli-
est opportunity of conference with him 10
urge bis resignation, expressing to him my
conviction that he had placed himself by
bis own statements, in the position Of De
tauIter, and that he was consequently liable
to an arrest, which would in my judgment
work a vacancy by disability, to be filed
Immediately by the appointment Of a new
Treasurer.
Mr. Gibson resigned, aud l forthwith
appointed Alfred P. Stone, of Franklin
county, to the vacant Office, who gave
bonds, was qualified, and entered upon his
duties without delay.
1t seems 10 be the opinion Of some per.
sons that tue Governor has some superyi-
sion or control over the other Executive
Offices, and is therefore in some measure
responsible for their action. Such persons
DO not reflect that each Of these officers is
elected by the people, and is made BY the
Constitution wholly independent Of the
Governor, in the administration Of bis own
department, except 50 far as the in.erven-
ton Of the latter may be sanctioned BY
express enactment. The only act proYi-
ding for any Intervention Of the Governor
with the action Of the treasurer, prior to
Mr.. Gibson's resignation, was that OF April
8, 1856. That act authorized the Gov
ernor, upon request Of the Auditor ofState,
to appoint suitable person 10 aid that Of
fcer in examining thetreasury, and required
bin to direct the Auditor to make such an
examination under certain circumstances
At the proper time directed the attention
Of the Auditor to this law, and be made
tue examination required by it, and report
ed that tie funds were safe in the Treasury.
He made no request for the appointment
Of any assistant and, in the absence Of that
request there was no authority TO appoint
one. His report, and those Of the legisla.
i've committees, furnished no ground for
any further direction TO him, and none
was otherwise made known to me.
A further duty was imposed upon the
Governor by the act of March 80, 1851,
which required him to appoint, once in
hree months, an Examiner Of Treasdry.--
The first three months had not expired
when Mr.. Gibson resigned; but believing
myself warranted in making the appoints
nent at any time in the course Of that
period, and regarding the disclosures which !
lad been made as demanding an immedi, |
lta and thorough investigation, l appoint
ID Thomas Sparrow, of Franklin county,
. that office. The results of the exam
nation made by Mr.. Sparrow, are set forth !
n lis report, which is herewith transmit. |
ed. The nature and extent of the deial
,ation; the devices by which it was con-
,ealed from the Legislative committees,
md the Auditor of State, at the time of
heir several examinations, and tie respect
We parts in the criminal transaction, Of the |
wo State Treasures implicated in it, are
ea.ly stated in this document. No can
lid person, I think, eau withhold lis as
eat from the conclusion to which he ar
ives, "that John G. Breslin distracted the
money from the Treasury, aud that VIII
am II. Gibson, by concealing the defsI-
alton and denying its existence, disregard
d truth and his sworn official duty"
As soon as this official investigation had
cen provided for the facts which had
een made known TO me were communica-
I'd to the Prosecuting Attorney of Frank.
n county, who is charged by law with
le prosecution of all oHenses committed
ithin its limits; and TO the Judge of this
ldcal subdivision, whose duty it is to
large the Grand Jury in regard to such
ftenses. The Prosecuting Attorney was
ssured of whatever aid the Executive
ould afford to him in the discharge of his
luctions, aud he, accordingly, received the
ssistance of the Attorney General, in the
lvestigations which took place before the
iraud Jury. These Investigations result
d in indictments against both the ex
'reasurers. Mr.. Gibson gave bail, but
Ir. Breslin fled to Canada, E.ery effort,
eemed fit and expedieut by the Prosecu-
ng Attorney and Attorney General, was
lade for his apprehension, and the charg
5 were betrayed from my contingent fund.
correspondence was also instituted with
he Federal Government at Washington,
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