Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-11-21
Additional Frauds Discovered
MORE STEALING AT DEAF AND
DUMB ASYLUM BROUGHT TO
LIGHT.
LUMBER CHARGED TO The STATE
USED FOR PRIVATE PUR-
POSES
Dr. Blaclkburn's Assistant Archi.
tect Arrested.
REPUBLICAN OFFICIALS IN A BAD BOX

Politics, as carried out in the practice of
the Republican party, has damaging ten
dency. 1t has so flooded the country with
official crime, that to be Government Off
cial Is fast getting to be synonymous
term for the opposite of honesty. We fear
if the present party in power in Ohio is
not soon cleaned out, that the same suspi-
cions, well grounded in many instances
will fasten upon State officials, and thus,
while offices become places OF profit, they
will fail to be those of honor.
When DIR. Blackburn, the Architect of
the Deaf and Dumb Asylum, came to this
city, to fill that place, no word of suspicion
had ever even been whispered that he
was dishonest. or would do dishonest
act. To the world, and before it he stood,
unimpeached-his character pure beyond
reproach-neither grasping, avaricious or
dishonest.
About the time the Democracy carried
the Legislature, and it became foregone
conclusion, that they had the power to in
vestigate the conduct of officials, to ascer-
tain if the large amounts of money, lavish
ed by Republican legislators on the differ
ent Asylums, in building, refitting, repair
ing and furnishing, whispers began to be
heard that there was something rotten in
the expenditure of the Deaf and Dumb
Asylum building fund.
Then the State officials found it necessary
to forestal the Legislature and to investi-
gate. The evidence showed that DIR. Black
burn had been peculating-that the funds
had been appliel-devoted to his own
use, and he was finally, after a protracted
Investigation by Gov. Cox, arrested and is
no out on bail to answer acriminal charge
in the courts OF Justice. What his fate will
be, jury of his countrymen, aided by
the glorious uncertainty of the law, must
determine. I
Unlike manner Robert Il. Brookes, the as
sistant of DR.. Blackburn, in giving fashion
aud form to the huge pile now being built
for the benefit of the Deaf and Dumb, and
his assistant in his bold peculations if the
charges, supported by aft lavit, preferred
against him be true-had the reputation,
when appointed, of being an honest ma N.
On yesterday warrant for his arrest on a
criminal charge, was issued by Squire
Gulick, on the affidavit of General D. w.
H. Day, acting for Attorney General West,
who is absent. The warrant being served
by Constable Bartling, on last evening
Brookes appeared, but not being ready for
trial, the examination was put off until the
I'd of December, VIM. Mcdonald entering
bail for his appearance in the sum of $500
The charge against Brookes as embodied
in the affidavit of General Day, is based
upon the following " | 1t Henry An
drews, taken before Governor Cox, viz:
State of Ohio, Franklin County, IS:
Henry Andrews being duly sworn, SAYS
he is resident of Truro township, in said
county, and is a saw miller by occupation
that some time in the spring of 1865 he was
engaged by r. T. Brookes, clerk of the
works, to furnish lumber for the use of the
new Deaf and Dumb Asylum at Columbus;
that said Brookes ordered considerable
quantity of lumber, chiefly 3D. II joists,
and some flooring; that amongst other
lumber said BroOkes ordered quantity of
fencing. as affiant now remembers and be-
lieves about four thousand feet, which
fencing said Brookes ordered to be deliv-
Oi GU ob ITO p1hOCs hCal 4Ou HI
Columbus, and not at the Asylum, which
was done accordingly. Affiant further
says that when he presented his monthly
bill, which included said fencing, Brookes
found fault with the item being put
i'm that form, and insisted upon
affiants taking it back and changing the
item from fencing to joist of equal meas
urement, and when it was so done Brookes
approved the account and procured in the
usual way the payment of the same through
the Auditors and Treasurer's offices, as
bill against the Asylum. at thirty dollars
per thousand feet. Affiant further says
that when Brookes directed the change he
suspected wrong in it, and said to
BrOOkes, slapping his own pocket as he did
it, that he thought he knew where that
item went tO-that it was private profit
and said Brookes assented to the remark.
~ HENRY ANDREWS.
Signed and sworn to before me this 9th
day of November, 1867.
j. D. Cox, Governor.
The penalty affixed by law for such
crimes is imprisonment in the Ohio Peni-
tentiary for any term not less than one and
not more than three years.
If the facts stated in the affidavit of Mr..
Andrews, and embodied in that of Gen.
Day, be correctly set FORTH. there is 10
doubt but that other and larger peculations
will be brought to light.
Its perhaps due to Gov. Cox to say that,
since the Deaf and Dumb Asylum frauds
were first brought TO his notice, he has
been unremitting in his endeavors to ferret
them out and to punish the guilty parties.
CRIMINAL CASES In SQUIRE MEEKER's
COURT, Nov. 2OTH.-The State VS.. Craig.
assault and battery. The defendant plead
guilty. Paid fine and cost and was dis
charged.
The State VS.. Mckee; assault and bat
terry. The complainant failed to appear
and prosecute. The defendant discharged
and cost paid by plaintiff.
The State vsJohn Langdon; petit larceny.
Cause continued until 23l. The defendant
gave bail in the sum of 5000 for his appear
ance.
The State VS.. Jos. Thompson; m ,licious
destruction of property. Continued to
25th on recognizance of the defendant in
the sum of 5000.
Bastardy.-The case of Annie Sands VS..
Alex. E. Tenant, arrested on Saturday by
Fred. Bader, was continued, by consent of
parties. until April first, and cost paid by
the defendant.
VIM. johnson, robbery, continued to 22d.
The defendant gave $500 for his appear