The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1867-05-17
Democracy i'm the Country.


f1aa RoLLERsvrLLE May 18th, '67.
EDs. JoURNAL:-There is a certain clique
OF the so called Democracy in Scott Town
ship, in and about Greensburg In lieu Of
their superior talents they have assumed the
command of the township, and for the last
few years have met in caucus, nominated
themselves, went TO the election, whipped all
their party into ranks, were elected and went
on their way rejoicing.
This spring they went through the same
dress parade, all smoothly enough, with the
greatest anticipation, but the Union men
rallied and came out completely victorious.
The Copperheads had,handled the township
funds so long that it seemed like wrench
ing dear friend from them, and they gras-
ped them as though it was their last grab, or
like a drowning man snatching at straw.
Consequently after Icing beaten at the elec-
tion, the clique cast about to see how they
could best get grab at a portion of the
money belonging to the Township at large
and still in the treasury. After putting
their heads together, they devised this plan:
Two or three were to combine TO get the job
of building up I04 rods on the Greensburg
road, commencing a little below or East of
the Township school house. They were
not to bid against each other but one was to
bid the job off, and the others to help do the
work aud have the profits. This I04 rods is
to cost OEE HUNDRED DoLLARs. Men whose
judgment cannot be controverted say that
this same road making can be done at 25 cts.
per rod, and yet afford fair profit, and
one Of the most extensive land owners along
that part of the road let out, had offered to
throw up the road at his own expense. This
job was let out by the old Trustees, who
gave no notice of job letting to the lowest |
bidder, but did the whole business next to
secretly, giving only publicity sufficient to
cover up, as they thought, the township
swindle and escape liabilities. This Job
WIS let out by the old Trustees, on the 9Th |
diiy Of April, the third day after two of the |
new Trustees had been sworn in, the third |
Trustee elect refusing to serve As
will be readily seen, two of the old Trustees
had no power TO act their term of office
having expired by the election and qualifica-
tion of their successors in office. They |
however attempted to Justify their action on
the ground that their term of office does not
expire until ten days after the election.
This money was paid into the Treasury by |
citizens in all parts of the township and of |
course all sections have right to its benefit.
There are CROSS roads almost impossible
majority of the year, while the Greensburg
road is as good as a portion of the way to
Fremont. At all events, the Taxes that
will naturally be worked out there would
put it in repair, while many of the cross
roads must have assistance from the Town
ship or remain in a suffering condition.
Perhaps part of this statement may be
ienied, but it has come too direct for denial.
One of the members of this job letting, feel
ng too Jubfiant over the idea of the profits
hey would most certainly make, told re-
ativs the plan of doing the job and divi-
ling the profits as stated, who feeling so in
lignant at such a wholesale swindle would
lot keep it secret.
A little breeze has been raised here by
ome new developments in regard to the elec-
ion. Information having been given by
eliable citizens, that there was fraud prac-
iced in counting the votes at the election,
he Trustees met on Saturday last to inves-
igate the matter. On calling for the poll
'Ox, the new clerk informed the Trustees
hat when he assumed the duties of his Office
II evidence of the election had been made
Vay with. There may be nothing wrong
bout this but it has dark look about it. A
ew more such revelations will open the eyes
# the Democrats who don't like such whole
ale swindlipg.
Yours dc, SooFT,