The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-01-06
Editorial Correspondence.
AUGUSTA, Jan. 3. 1850.

AUGUSTA, Jan. 3, 1850.
We find, on our arrival here to-day. that tho
unpleasant rumors that have been current for
few days, duplicating Mr.. Peck, our Treas
urcr ofState, in improper, and as II seems high
ly culpable financial transactions, in which tho
money Of the State has been used by him in
private speculations are, In the main correct
There are many stories told respecting the ma
turc and extent of these transactions, and'it was
not without difficulty that we were able to Get
Mt the material facts Of the Gaze.
Unfortunately for Mr.. Peck, in an evil hour,
he was drawn into the snarcs Of some men in
Bangor, the most prominent Of whom are lead
ing buchanan Democrats in that city, and fed
cral Office holders, who have victimised him,
and pluckcd him to large extent, by drawing
him into an extensive numbering concern IN
Canada, to support which and to carry on us
extensive operations, he has used the money OF
the State TO the amount Of some $4,000 or
$50, OOO This money he has used unbcknown
to Mr.. Caldwell his assistant Treasurer in the
Office. when he has been away from Augusta,
checking Il from the Banks In which II was de-
posted as his wants required, and managing 1t
in such way as to prevent its coming to the
knowledge of the assistant Treasurer, who keeps
the books and does the general Office business.
The books, which are all straight, show an ap-
parent balance of s lOl 900 or thereabouts dis
tributod among quite n number OF Banks In tho
State. The enquiry ofthe Bank Commission
crs into the affairs the Norombcga Bank re-
yealcd evidences ofhis improper conduct. and
the Governor and Council were Immediately
apprizcd Of the facts, and they took measures
at once to learn the true state ofatFars. Itturns
out on enquiry that of this SiOi 900, perhaps
there may be $40 900 on deposit, and that tho
balance has been improperly used, md in ad-
dition to this, Mr.. p. in some instances has
oyerlrawn to large amounts, placing his Off
cal signature on checks FOR that purpose, and
what is equally rcprehcnoiblc, he has accepted
private drafts in his official capacity. On his
bond there are nine names, several Of them men
of rcputcd wealth, some residing In Bangor and
some in Portland. On being apprizcl Of these
facts, portion of them who are extensively
engaged in business, as II is said TO gain time
to learn more fully the amount for which they
arc rcprchensiblc, transferred their property to
other creditors.
learn to day that the property in Canada
for which Mr. Peck used this money, consisting
of timber limits and alargc steam saw-mill, has
been transferred to the signers of the bond, and
that the State viii in the end suffer no loss. We
have nothing to say In cxtenuation OF Mr.. P's
conduct, and shall not, because he sympathled
with us in political opinion, palliate or defend
It. There is not member Of the Republican
party here, or can there be found one in tho
State who will do so. Mr. Peek was in some
measure entrusted with the honor and in,egri-
a den Of thieves" who have used him as stool
pigeon to pluck the treasury Is Of no avail IN
our view. The men in whose company he Is
found were portion Of them his political op-
and he ought not to have been there.
II would have been fair at least to have looked
upon theirpo,itical position rs presumptiyc ey-
idencc Of their being unsuitable men with whom
to have pccun'ary transactions. Then again tho
law Of the State expressly forbids the Treasurer
from using the public money for private pur-
poses, and makes him criminally responsible
for any improper use thereof Mr.. Peck knew
this and lac must take the consequences Of his
conduct. The Republican party has no SYM
pathy with public plunderers, and no matter
whether population is found within It's own
ranks, or the ranks Of its opponents, its presses
and its leading men will dcnouncc 1t and will
not screen offenders from the consequences Of
ihcr acts.
This much we have TO say now. Rcgretting
IS every Republican will the culpabilty OF ono
who has received at their hands honors and
and one from whom they hal
light to expect different things, they will not
conclude that the individual conduct Of one
nan can dcprcciatc the value Of the principles
hey profess, or lessen their anxiety to pro-
note them.
The affair will suggest TO the Representa-
ives additional legislative safeguards to pre-
cnt recurrence of like character, and the cx-
rcsc of great caution in the selection ofanoth-
r man to Gil the Office hereafter.
L. O. C.