Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-04-22

tOgether making $46O. 1884 O4, demanded at the
hands Of this Legislature, to be expended, un-
der the fostering scare Of the Board, upon these
decaying Public Works. 'lc'i a
Yet, giving Mr.. Martin the benefit of his
record and highest estimated receipts, S349,-
935, for the present fiscal year, aud should the
Legislature fail to pass the bill, and be COM
PEELED to make the appropriations demanded by
the Board, there will be a deficit at the close Of
the present fiscal year Of Sill, $3.50 04.
But Mr.. Martins estimate Of receipts Is evil
IDENTIFY too high, and his estimate of expendi-
lures In thespecial report too low.
According to another phase Of his own chow.
ing, in special report in answer to resolutic n
of the Senate, passed March IL, 1861, he gives
the gross receipts for the fiscal year 1861 at
$sSl, $50 81; add to this $4,000, bis highest
estimated increae over last year, and we have
1891 $50 27,--which would leave deficit at the
close of thepresent fiscal year Of Sl39, 9,l74 70.
Mr.. President, IL these discrepancies between
the annual and special reports of the Board are
casual mistakes, they exhibit en- ignorance and
incompetency in State officer which totally
disqualiAes him for the position he holds. But
If they are wilful, they are evidence of presump,
tion and efffontery on the part of the President
of the Board of Public Works, towards the
Legislature and people ofthe State, based upon
impudence.
Again, repeat, Mr.. Martins estimated re-
ceipts are too high.
Let Senators turn TO page II of the State
Auditors last annual report, and they will find
the estimate Of receipts for the present year
s270,000. If this estimate Of the Auditor is
correct, and the Legislature fail to pass this
bill, and are compelled to make the appropria-
tions demanded by the Board, the close of the
present fiscal year will show deficit in the canal
fund of $l9O,s34.
Taking the fact that the deficit in this fund at
the close Of the last fiscal year was $l07 ,452-
&C., believe this estimate of the Auditor ap-
proximates nearer the truth than any other yet
made.
Then, Mr.. President, let me again ask, what
remedy can we devise to cancel this large and
increasing draft upon the tax payers of the
State2
The Board OF Public Works present no feast.
BILE plan. ..
Their reports each year, instead, are full of de-.
mands for more and more money apologies
for its extsvagant use, and exhibits of growing
deficits in the Public Works fund.
Iapprehend the burthened tax payers of the
State will no longer be satisfied with the an
nual and stereotyped excuses of the Board for
the reckless use Of their money, in repairing
damages done by "disastrous floods" and other
"szt,GO,d'sqyy easuahies," which occurI each
year, as regular as .hn rolling of time, but, in
the language of the reports, 'ars not !l.'y again
to oeew"y!
In my humble judgment, the sure and safe
remedy is the passage of this bill to lease the
Public Works to responsible private ndividuala,
who will bring to bear in their management all
the energy and activity of private enterprise.
The lessees under this bill. for their own ad-
vantage, will be compelled to put these works
Immediately in the most efficient and complete
order possible, with the view of. at once compel.
ing successfully with various railroads for the
carrying trade ofthe State. They will also be
compelled to keep these works in the condition
Of graat and we'll regulated thoroughfAres for
the transportation Of the products and commerce
Of the country.
The bill provides that the lessees shall never
raise the rates of toll higher than rates fixed by
the Board In their toll.sheets adopted in 1858
and 1859, so that no oppression can work to the
shipper on these canals, at any time during the
existence of the lease; that the lessees shall
make all such necessary and proper repairs and
reconstructions as the Board may require under
its direction or under the direction Of an engi-
neer appointed by the Board; and that the les.
sees shall faithfully perform all legal contracts
Of the State, between the State and individuals
for water leases. leases Of ground, or any other
arrangements or agreements between the State
and individuals, or the State and the United
States.
The bill also guards carefully the interests
of the State, by compelling parties to the lease
contract to enter into bond, payable to the
State of Ohio, in the sum Of $2OO, 900, condi-
toned that the lessees shall perform all the cove
nants and conditions Of their contract, required
by this bill.
The amendment Of the Senator from Fair
field proposes tolease at once, by accepting the
bid of Messrs. EEerets, Jarvis, Medbory, jack
SOD, Brown and Moore, whose proposition is to
take the Public Works of the State, under this
bill, at 500. 100 year, for ten years. This bid
is perhaps altogether, If not quite, as much as
could be procured at public letting from any re-
sponsible bidder in the State. ......
This mode Of letting would dispose of these
works at once, and without an appropriation of
at least sac, 600 to put them in condition this
spring, in case the letting was deferred.
hope. therefore, the motion to indefinitely
postpone will not prevail, and that this bill may
pass. f,..s i.. s- ,.-