The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-06-19
The sale OF d. & o. Rail road Stock,
From yesterdays RegistGr.)


There is some ground for suspicion Of
fraud in the sale OF the Baltimore s. Ohio
railroad stock in 1869, and the matter is
bad enough without exagCeration. The
stock was undoubtedly sold at too low a
rate Of premium, and the difference be.
tween tue sum actually received and that
which should have been realized from the
sale IS the true measure OF the loss, spec.
G!IAtlon, or fraud, as the case may be.
llls the lSTELLIGEECER estimates at
Ns5l5, a pretty round sum, and ono for
which some person, or persons, should be
leId responsible. The city made a bad
bargain by the sale Of the stocks OF the
une and upon the terms agreed upon by
Tue Finance Committee and Warfield and
company, Of Baltimore, but ifthe contract
Oe enforced, as it certainly can and ought
10 DC, the only actual loss the city has
suffered from the translation is that which
sstated above. Il is certainly enough to
Justify and demand the most rigid and
searching investigation, and we earnestly
nope that the people OF the city will insist
mat the investigation be made. 1t is by
no means improbable that in the general
oyefhauling Of the financial affairs Of the
Guy which must accompany an inquiry
.nIo This affair, there may be some other
transactions exposed which will as illy
bear the light Of day.
The City Council has been culnshlv
Negligent Tor a number OF years past az
regards the publication Of a financial ex.
mott, and almost every year the civ
EnafIer is violated in this respect. Tho
. INV requires the publication Of "a state.
a mt1! OF the receipts and expenditures of
a'u city Tor the past year, and of the debts
uI ~ the same" The statement Of re.
Celpts and expenditures is usually made
S S.s enough for comprehension, but the
statement Of debts, when made at all, ia
Usually enveIoped in so much mystery as
70 % capable Of comprehension only by
Iae initiated few. In answer 10 remon.
Stances upon this subject We have some.
Hues been told that the flnaucial condi.
uon Of the city was really better than IL
S1ppeaTed TO be, but that 1t was not pru.
SrnI 10 publish the actual state Of affAirs
lest the city bonds which were being
bought at q discount should appreciate In
lle hands oil the spectators. At other
times We have been told that the Council
thought it ipjudicious to publish u true
statement Ell the debt lest il might luiure
The credit Of the city and depreciatt
le value Of the bonds 1t was ther
CHEERING for sale. 1t is u very com
mon thing for members Of Council tc
withhold financial information from The
newspaper reporters, or to communicate
NonIy under pledge that it shall not be
printed. There has been a manifest de
we and anxiety on the part OF some Off
yIsls to envelope tho affairs OF the city iu
S' much darkness as possible, 10 move IT
mysterious way their wonders to per
WEM, and to account It o meritorious ex.
p'oN 10 conceal some important transac
press. 'S "">
we believe that the interests of the
pSoPle demand a fuller exhibit Of city
, HaalFs, especially Of the financial condi
"on, than has been made Tor several
!gHts past, and we desire to obtain and
S" aSe public whatever information can be
"SH IN relation to the Baltimore and Ohio
' 'a:toSu stock transaction, or any other
5i Dvii Intended or accomplished. We
ia, all who are possessed Of facts re,
@ H.;g TO these things to Communicate
, ".G y, u.s. and, ifneed be, they will DO maid
~. !ee information they bring and foI
S 'as Time and labor they have spont n
sO''ecNngm' An investigation mustbe had