The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-08-26


frsgss Of the Honest Citizens Of Mime.
sofa
Ia considering this question, we do no,
propose to refer TO the fact that Mr.. JAxEs
II. BAKER, was the candidate OF the Know
Nothing order 10 Ohio, in 1855. for the Of
fec Of Secretary OF State, and that bis en-.
dorsement by the Republicans was one Of
the means adopted to secure to SALMON +.
CHASE the support for Governor, Of the
=" dark lantern oigarcby,' at that time all
powerful in Ohio, flushed as it was, with
great and startling successes in half the
States Of the Union. Nor do we intend TO
refer to the dscrcdItable means adopted by
BAKER. and connived at by ALEXANDER
RAMSEY, TO secure his tBAxER's) nomination
in the late Republican Convention. These
tactics were dishonoriDg to him rs man,
because they involved treachery to friend,
fragrant violation Of bis instructions as a
delegate, and deliberate lying. We do pro
pose. however, at this time 10 investigate
BAKER's character as an honest man, and to
show by irrefutable testimony, that in Ohio
lie is regarded as defaulting and disgraced
ofIicial--as u public robber-and that, vic,
lating his solemn oath as Secretary OF State,
the very Office he seeks at the hands OF the
people Of Minnesota, he became the stool
pigeon OF Wall street brokers, in schemes OF
pIundcr upon the treasury Of his own State.
At the last session OF the Ohio Lgisla-
ture, Committee was appointed to investi-
gate the financial affairs OF the State, and
particularly the deialcations Of JOHN e..
BREsLIS and WV. II. Gibson, State Treas
urers, and the authors OF the notorious
BREsLiS. gibson fraud, by which over half
q million OF dollars was stolen from the Ohio
State Treasury. This committee consisted Of
A. +. EDGgRToS, CuAs. REMELIS, and WV.
ID. MORGAN, two Democrats and one Re-
publican, but men whose reputation for
probity, honor and business talent com
mended them to the entire Legislature as
well calculated 10 conduct searching in
vestigation into matters involving the acts
of leading members Of both political parties.
The impartiality Of the Committee has
never been impugned in Ohio. II spared
neither Democrat or Republican, when their
guilt was made manifest
The report Of the Committee, in accord
ancc with the resolution appointing them,
was made to Gov. CnAsE, under slate OF
March I. 1859, and was by him submitted
to the Legislature, and ordered printed. 1t
is upon this document that we base our
charges against BAKKR, md il is upon the
testimony it furnishes, that we propose to
convict him OF acts Of rascality which
should consign him to the cell of Peni-
Tertiary, aud probably would, il he returned
TO Ohio
In 1886, while Secretary Of State OF
Ohio, and by law. one of the Fund Commits
sioners. be visited New York with the
Auditor OF State, for the purpose of negoti-
ating State loan Of 2,iO0 900, to meet
portion Of the public debt then falling due.
While there, he secretly cousplrcd with
bankers named LUDLOW and Johnson, in re
gard to the award of the loan; he was
bribcd to give the successful bidders an
unfair advantage over other capital
is,s bids were checked. by bis Efforts
from substantial men: and the entire
loan awarded TO irresponsible par
ties, at loss to the State Of Ohio Of
sl32 0Oa. and a consequent profit TO the
bidders of this sum. In this amount BAKER /
had contingent interest and in addition |
be received bribe OF s, 900 for his ser.
the testimony. in western lands" The 4
Committee in their report 10 Gov CuAsE. /
after recl,lng certain preliminary matters,
continue as follows:
The fact that J. N. BAkHR. then our Secre
tary OF state. WHOSE MISFORTUNE IT WAS I
To RE REUARpt u As VENAL BY EVERY /
ONE WITH WHOM HE CANE IN CONTACT I
IN NEW YORK, was known to be one OF the 7
regulators of the loan, also had its ,nj.r,oa, .
,gscs; and the disgrscetul scenes attending
the payment OF the State interest IN July ls5s
added Gibson 10 the number Of dead weights |
upon the States prospect. to obtain fair terms !
Tor the proposed loan. These two men were /
put down in the hist - a. CORRUPT ana il 4
was presumed they would entod the Auditor,
and whispers went around the counting rooms
of banks and bankers, that the whole state
Government OF Ohio was controlled by Ludlow;
and We ind him Boosting Of It, in his letter to
the Home Ofiee. Thus real eaui,alists wrr,
driven from the loan, and shArpers attracted to
u,
Sometime in August. the loan wAs advertised
IN proper form, and with due publicny; and
October ist VAS hxed a. the day for the open.
ing Of the bids.
Mesnwhc, Ludlow Vas laying his plans. In
the latter part OF August he induces !. T. Bull
To write 10 Auditor Wright and 90 prrpar. that
L. L. A a La. I.l