The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1873-08-28

nent than another in the public it is a
determination on the part of the people
that public servants shall be honest and
faithful; that the same degree of morality
and virtue shall be observed In official as
in private life. To this end the conduct
of men In office is very carefully scru.
tinized, their motives are challenged, and
their actions are approved or condemned.
according to the popular judgment may
ne wrong, and injustice may be done; but
1t is generally right, and in the long run
may be safely trusted. Recent events
have made it stern and critical. az in
times like these it ought to belts severity
will be lessen and warning to all who
may be trusted and honored here after. for
many years to come, teaching public NOR
ality,and threatening everlasting disgrace
to those who betray their trusts. But
how has it been in Ohio Cor the last six
teen or seventeen years, since the Re
publican party has had control of affAirss
Let the testimony of our political adverse
ries be taken. The last act of the De-
mocracy OF this State was to rob the
treasury of $574,11o46, according to che
official reports. Upon the heels of which
the Republicans gained the ascendency
they have since held. This enormous
theft has been supplemented by similar
defalcations, in such Democratic counties
as Butler and Fairfield though from the
necessities OF the case these robberies have
been upon more limited scale.
Last winter upon motion of General
William Fl. Ball, of Muskingum-a man
of rar" ability, the most prominent Demo-
cratic lawyer In the House of Representa-
tives, and partisan of such standing
that he was selected as permanent Presi-
dent OF the 9th of August convention
an investigation into the official conducr
of State officers was ordered by the fellow
ing resolution:
ReSOlUed, That committee of five mem
bers be appointed by the Speaker, with
Authority 10 send for persons and papers,
and whose duty it shall be to inquire and
report to the House whether any money
has been drawn from the State Treasury,
without authority of law; whether cor
rups contracts ofexpenditures have been
made affecting the State Treasury includ-
ing expenses for this Legis AZURE and all
contracts IN that behalf, and tie constru :
ton and maintsnt nee of the ch irritable
institutions of the State, and all other ex-
penses payable from the funds of the
State.
You will perceive that a very wide
discretion was given to the committee
under this resolution. The distinguished
gentleman who moved the investigation,
General Ball, was made chairman of the
committee, Judge Isaiah Pillars, another
Democrat was member. The other three
Durham, Little, and Adalr-w ere Re
publicans. The committee remained In
session between three and four months,
and only reported the day before the ad-
journment of the Legislature. Numerous
witnesses, gathered from all parts of the
State, were examlned-discharged clerks,
unsuccessful bidders, disappointed con
tractors architects, the trustees and en-
plsyees of public institutions, State Off
GERS, and many others. Whenever tie
committee heard of any one suspected OF
knowing anything to the discredit Of the
State officials, he was sent for. All per-
sons having complaint to make were in
vited to be present at the investigation.
And now I cannot better state the result
than by quoting the exact language of the
report, signed by every member of the
committe Here it is:
THE xamination has taken a wide
range. One hundred and zine witnesses,
residing in various parts of the State,
have been sup@naed and examined touch
public contracts aud expenditures, con-
structions of public buildings, conduct of
public institutions, etc. All matters,
without reference to the date of their oc-
currence, coming to the knowledge of the
committee, that seemed to promise any
probability of throwing any light upon
the subjects of inquiry, or any of them,
have been diligently inquired into.