Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-01-31
rhe Public works.

Fo, the frst time this session we we're in the
House Of, of,Representatives few minutes on yes
terday afternoon. As We entered, De. scoTr' oil
Warren, whom the correspondent of the Cinein
natl Commercial says is oneof the ablest men in
the House, was speaking, and We learned from
his remarks, that be desired some information
from the Board Of Public Works, as to whether
tins revenue 0: tie Canals would from this time
forward, keep them in repsir' No doubt the
Board win assure the member from Warren,
and thus quiet his tender conscience, that the
Canals can hereafter be made, under their man
agement, self-sustaining, and that they are
quite certain that a handsome revenue can be
derived from them, after paying the expenses
of their repairs.
All that is necessasy, however, for the MEM
ber from Warren to do, is to look into the an
nual reports Of the Board for the past seven
years, to learn that in the opinion Of the Board
the oa uses from which the revenue was from
time to time depressed, and the expenses of
repairs increased, weIe only temporary, and
that better things were to be expected from the
Canals, for each next succeeding year. Such
has besn the uniform opinion and prediction of
tine Board, but tue facts have invariably dissi
pa.ed all the hopes expressed and assurances
given By It, from time to time.
We would not givea pinch Of snuff for all the
reports and opinions on this subject, that the
Board can manufacture, from this time until
the adjournment of the General Assembly.
The facts as they exist in the past officisl re-
ports, are the best data upon which to form an
opinion of what may be reasonably expected in
the future frem the Public Works, under their
present management, and we predict that they
will fail ia the future, as they have in the past
but BY increased deficiencies, to keep them
sslYes IN repair, IL left under the present system
Of management, BY the General Assembly.
As the member from Warren processes to de-
sire information, and therefore, II is to be pre-
sumed, does not like to take the trouble and Is |
Dor to look into the documents to obtain it, and
90 there may be other members like him, we
will furnish them with table exhibiting the
receipts and expenditures, showing the revenue,
and the ne. earnings or deficiencies, for the nine
years, ending the 18th of November of each
year, from 1852 to 1860, inclusive. 1t may be
studied 70 advantage, and Is worth much more
upon which to found correct judgment at this
time. than all the prophecies, predictions and
promises, that the Board Of Public Works can
offer. So far as DR.. Soorr, Of Warren, Is con-
cerned, Il Is due to frankness to say, that we
have no faith that our labor will be of any avail.
His Objects not, we fear, TO obtain information
on which to base his action as member OF
the House, but to draw from the Board such q
report as may confuse and mislesd the House,
and deceive honest men as to the true state Of
the case, and the actual condition and prospects
Of .he Pnelie Works; 4 but still We will give the
facts as they actually exist-and here they are:
Receipts and Disbuysemenfs on The Public Works
Of Ohio, from 1852 TO 1860, inelusivs.