Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1859-02-15
Astounding Fraud in Illinois. = The State Plum
dered of S235, o00.- Ex-Governor Matteson inl-
piicaied.

Our Chicago exchanges bring US the partieu-
lars Of and astounding fraud upon the State OF
Illinois, which has Just been discove:ed, and
whi.., it is thought, viii lead TO the exposure
of a startling degree of corruptlons on the part
of some persons who have had connection with
the Strife papers The circumstances of the
fraud, as tar developed, are these:
In 1899. during the progress of the work on
the Illinois and Michigan Canal, the Canal
Commissioners negotiated load of 3 600 900
with the United States Bank for reason
the miscellaneous for MAY of that year were not
paid; The Commissioners TO meet the emergcn-
cv issued S266000 in checks on the branch of
the State Bank at Chicago; these and subse
qlEent issue of S130000 In August of that year
were redeemed. In lS4I there was oJ,tstund-
ing amount equal To 1916. Under the act
of 1857, holders of canal or other State IHdebt-
edness were permitted to fund it and receive
therefor Interest paying Londs; on the 9TH day
Of january, 1857, Gov. Matteson, then in office
presented ia his clerk 5000 of these checks
OF $50, and bonds were issued thereupon in
/ the name OF Caleb Johnson; a few days ante
ror the 27th Of February of the same year.
Matteson, then out of office, presented to- the
same clerk, packages of thee same checks.
containing in all $40 600. and bonds were is
sued Tor them also; shortly before the 18th of
March of the same year, 81 Gov Ma.tesan
presented S3l 800 in checks, and for these
bonds We're issued as before; these facts were
made public by the discovery of these checks
/ in the Auditors office by General FRY. an old
Commissioner, who supposed them to be coun-
( tcrieit.
Ia view Of these facts, the Press d Tribune
ADDS:
The magnitude OF the swiudle - involving
over 100000, principle and in iuterest-the
high position occupied nv Gov Mattoson, and
the intense anxiety OF his friends, IN which we
participate for his eXcuption. make the affair
of much than ordinary interest: and
{ ftll b.. tod l.
must be admitted that the Governors position
is critical one. That he will be able to show
that he came by the checks honestly by pur-
chase; that he will be able to produce the uu-
known and mysterious persons to whom 81 or
bearer the bonds were issued, and that he
viii be able to show reason why his own name
was not used do most deyoutly hope. The
bonds are now IN the hands of the Treasurer
rs security for the issues of the State Bank of
! Illinois at Shawnetown--an Institution under
/ stood 10 be the the Governors property.
Il viii be gratifying 10 the friends Of Gov.
! BIsSen 10 know that lac Is wholly without
blame in this matter Mr.. Moore swears point
edlv and explicitly that the Governor knew
nothing of the affair whatever: that he Moore
did the business. as is his habit upon his own
I responsibility; that Coy. Bissel did not see the
check; that he was not consulted about the
bonds before after they were made.
Thus the matter stands.
/ We 10 not see. nor Is 1t yet indicated by hi
counsel the course that Gov Mat.eson will pur-
! Sue To relieve himself of the responsibility
thrown upon aim by the evidence above pre-
I scented. 1t i understood that the receipt oi
The trunk and box by him at Springfield, where
they were conveyed 10y express. Is susceptible
Of proof. Bat, let no premature Judgments be
formed.
f. = Further examination of the Fund Com.
misiouer's looks. show that the amount. princi-
: rle aud interest. of money bonds and certlti
Gates felquiously obtaiHed, viii not fall short .
S235,D00! The proper officers are diving deel
.nto the fraud. and 1T is feared that new aul
more astounding frauds viii be brought to j ght