American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1859-03-17

wat IL was peouharly the lhtercst OF MesSrs.
eallivant amp others who had so long rev.
eled in The use Of the public money, not
TO become involved in litigation or COM
troversy with the State but unpleasant de-
velOpments might ensue. Regarding the
direct liability to the Treasury Of Messrs.
Sullivant and other surelies. as better for
the State than the doubtful chances Of re-
cuvery upon bail bond. and feeling a
deep sympathy for Mr.. Bliss agreed
without the promise or hope Of reward
to Acede to the negotiations proposed BY
him.
After few Interviews with the parties
interested, and subsequent to the consul
nation Ofthe arrangementto extIicais Mr..
Bliss. encountered nothing but prevari.
cation. delay. indifference, neglect, and
every other species Of annoyance, and a
dishouorabls failure to comply with their
prom ises. -i
When this arrangement was irst pro>
posed. it was positively sgresd that the
whole matter should be settled and paid
within one year. | found very soon that
no attention was given 70 this subject, ex-
eept in pursuance Of my calls and urgent
request for payment. protested against
such treatment, as displaying bad fAi'h to-
ward me. aud disbonorsble violation Of
the arrangement to which l had consent.
ed.
The parties involved in this liability to
the ST te well knew that disclosure at
lhst time Of any OF the facts narrated here
upon this subject wonld be TO me political
sx,ermination, and .he probable canse OF
serious official embarrassment. Hence no
mat.eS how trsacherous their conduct 70
me my mouth was seeIed through motives
Of self-prsssryaion. Thus. for nearly four
years / Was obliged TO carry about two
thirds Of Mr.. Bliss deficit, 10 the shape OF
checks Of Messrs. Sullivaut aud others,
without daring to expose them or their
conduct. When was about to retire
from Office. end 40 Unavoidable exposure
stared me 10 tbs face, aud a thrsAtened
prosecution forced them 70 it. they final
" made an arrangement. and / understand
paid bonus to Bartlett d Smith, to pay
the liabilities for them.
/ AZ VtVNtUy NkNtoNb OOuttuKOuOY VI
loss or trouble fr m this source. hoping Al
the same time, and laboring to discover
Whatever wrong could exist. was indu.
ced 10 make investments 10 the success oI
which l trusted to provide for all official
liabilities which might ever be pr ssrted
against me. l."
In concluding this communication,
truSt will be pardoned the frank .ex.
preston Of the sincere wish OF my heart,
that l may be permitted to return TO my
home and devote myself 10 The restoration
10 the State. as far'as IN. my power. ol
Whist know au1 feel to De due. could
have no other aim ID life until this be SC
complithsd, and 10 the end that | might
be in the midst Of noble and generous
people. i'to'ta "
| You have directed my attention to a
cash. memorandum book in fhe Treasu.
rer's Office. That book contains in my
own handwriting, statement OF all the
cash or evidences Of cash. hioh received
from Mr.. Bliss upon assuming Office and
thereafter. No payments were made to
me BY Mr.. Bliss except those entered 10
the book referred To-. 1. also contains a
correct statement Of the daily business Of
the Office between the dates entered there
in, with avisw to being copied into m:rs
appropriate book. ~ :
1t Is due TO myself to say, that during
my terms Of Office ! hsd constant appre
hensions OF soma, to me. undefnabls and
undiscovered errors in my accounts. hold
ing me to greater liability than believed
justly eevolving upon me.