M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1859-04-14
The Independent Treasury.


The fact is notorious that every
measure Of public utility and reform,
adopted either by tae State Or National
government, has been advocated by
the democracy and opposed by their
Political adverarics. Witness the
acquisition of Florida, Louisiana, Tex
as and California; the Independent
Treasury and other measures which
have proved ofimmense benefit to the
nation;-ail denounced by the parties
which from time to time have opposed
the democracy. In State affairs, the
reforms inaugurated by the new Con.
stitution, the benifceut measures pro.
posed 10 equalize the burdens Of taxa.
ton and making the banker pay bis
just proportion Of tho taxes, the same
as the farmer, mechanic and poor
working man; the measures pro
posed to eradicate from the State pol.
icy the special privilege system, and,
finally, the present Treasury system,
have received the support Of the dem.
ocracy ard been denounced by their
opponents.
After the formation OF the New Con.
sttution the democracy OF the State
advocated the adoption ola Treasury
, system similar to that of the general
government, and with majority in
/ the Legislature bill was introduced
for that purpose. 1t proposed to dis.
sever the connection Of the Treasury
with bankers and brokers, forbid the
taking Of money from the Treasury for
any other but purposes authorized by
law, and in most other respects was
similar in its provisions to the system
now in successful operation. The
Democratic presses Of the State were
unanimously in favor Of the bill; the
Auditor of State, Governor and Fund
Commissioners recommended it, and
for time it seemed certain that it
would become a law. Had this been
the case, the de!alcation of over half a
million Of dollars would Rave been
effectually prevented. Why did tie
bill fail?
John G. Bresln was at that time
treasurer of State; he desired to spec
pte nPon the public funds, as bis
Gis5 eFe ne before him., his
friend and relative, Gibson, was anS;
ious to help him make the most out Of
his position; bankers, spectators and
interested parties aided him in their
opposition to a measure, which, if
passed, would forever put an end to
their hopes Of a grab at the peoples
money. The influence of Breslin was
brought to bear upon some few weak.
kneed democrats, and they, together
with tie whole force ofthe opposition
members, voted against and defeated
the bill. We well remember the re.
grets and Indignation which the Dem.
ocratic press of the State at that time
expressed in reference to this result.
The opposition, on the contrary, were
so we're Breslin and those
who were using the funds of the State,
or hoped to use them. Tie old system
of depos;ting the States money with
bankers, and of using it for the bene.
fit oft Treasurer or those who could
succeed in worming themselves into
his favor. was continued, and the re.
suit was the delalcation which astoun.
ded the people in June, 1857. We
mention these facts to refresh the
memories Of those who have forgotten
the earnest efforts OF the democracy to-
render the Treasury secure from the
possibility of loss, and also, to call at
tention to the fact that our opponents
are still opposed to the Independent
Treasury, and willing to return to the
old, corrupt system by which the State
lost five hundyed thousand dollars.
" That's the way we'll Fix them"
Such is said to be the language of
the Raccoon Navigator, after being
engaged in the dirty trick OF in
juring democrat in his reputation
and business. People of Yinton Co.,
what do you think Of a man, who,
when you come to town for the pur-
pose of employing lawyer, will thrust