The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1859-04-14
The Project 10 Lease the Publis
Works.

Tue circumstances UUutT WNlCN tue prOleCl
for leasing the canals is brought forward, taini
ii with suspicion and fraud. The hour Tor adj
journmcnt had almost arrived before any pro-
position tor an open letting was introduced..-
Up to what wns supposed to be the morning OF
the adjournment, the legislature was Occupd
with one plot after another to grant the canals
to the old contractors. No other interest in the
public works was recognized by the majority,
Falling in all other schemes, this was sprung
upon the House at the last moment. a ntw
measure, to dispose of property which has cost
the State about sixteen milhans, requiring the
utmost care ANA dclibem,iou in guarding the
interests OF the people, was thrown upon the
House. only bout an hour previous to he time
which had been fixed for adjournment. The
intent to cut off oil deIibtratun was palpable
The provision to let work Of such magnitude
in only thirty-eght days from the Introduction
of the measure, was only another oi the dis
graceful plots TINT have been sprung upon this
legislature for cutting of any competition with
the old contractors.
ANY careful examination of the pro, is.oas Of
the measure was oni oi the question in the few
hours that interviewed between the rinting and
passage Of this bill. 1t was tainted with pol.
pabe frauds, and Republicans have refused to
give their aid to legislation so dangerous, by
which the most difficult question of State poll
''sN'N'''
TO be disposed of for ten years, aud put out of
the reach OF the people, without as much invcs.
tigaton as would be required TO act upon a
claim of few dollars; aud with some proyis.
ions palraby bad
Among the defects, apparent at n glance, is
the letting at public outcry. By the invps lga-
ting report o! the public work contracts, it
will be seen that the most improper comhina.
tons among bidders We're made after the bids
were opened. This indicates what NAV be done
at such letting. Parties making sealed pro-
posas, knowing nothing of their competitors,
would bid the highest price they could afford,
at once. At auction, the bids will OF course
commence at the lowest point. b fore they
have progressed far, all competitors will be
known to each other, and taken into the par.
nership, TO stop the bidding. Work Of such
magnitude will admit many partners, when a
margin of many thousand dollars NAV b. secured
from the State by he combination.
The minimum limit. inserted BY the amend
ment at which The work shall be let, Is too smIl
to affect the matter, The difference b.tween
the lowest responsible bids on the Miami and
Erie canal and the gross revenue last season.
would alone, about equal this amount.
There is 10 provision for keeping The canals
in repair in case they could not be let in com
pllnce with the law, and the Board would bs
helpless.
These are som" of the objections that Occur
| from the examination we have been able to Civ,
the bill! in the short time siuce it was printed
The legislature being constantly in session sine,
that time, except the hours absolutely necessar,
(o' sleep, could hardly give it any careful ex
animation. While believing in the genera
/ principle that the canals can be leased With all
. vantage to the State, We sh1l not be dawn int,
the support Of any measure framed exclusivel,
! for q C"Ttpin corrupt interest, nor will we sane
/ tion legislation on 50 important matter, which
is so papaby conriyed to cut or all careful
examination and delberaiion. II is better tina
! the canals should bde the time when this mea:
urc can be (Oirly carried out than that anothe
such fraud should be inflicted on the people, q
the contracts, and another incubus, to debas
! the whole character Of the politics and legisa
! ton Of The S,ate.--O. s. Journal