The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1873-09-05
EXTRACTS FROM NoYEs'
GREAT BPHECH.
STATE MANAGEMENT = ENDORSEMENT
YTaE OPP0sTTToN

But, my friends, we are entering
upon the discussions of State cam.
paign. What is then, so far as State
ahalrs are concerned, at issue be-
tween the parties? If there is any
one thing at this time, more promi-
nent than another in the public mind,
IL Is determination on the part of
the people that public servants shall
De honest and faithful; that the
same degree of morality and virtue
shall be observed in official as in
private life. To this end, the con
Duct OF men in Office is very careful
~ scrutlnized, their motives are
challenged, and their actions are ap.
proved or CONDEMNED, according to
the popular judgment. Sonnet tines
that Judgment may be wrong, and
injustice may be done; but it Is gen
orally right, and in the long run, nav
be safely trusted. Recent events
have made it stern and critical, as in
times like these it ought to be; It's
severity will be a lesson and a warn
ing to all who may be trusted and
honored hereafter, for many years to
come, teaching public morality, and
threatening everlasting disgrace to
those who betray their trusts. But
how has ii been in Ohio for the last
sixteen or seventeen yesrS, since the
republican party has lad control OF
affairs! Let the testimony of our
political adversaries be taken. The
last act OF the Democracy Of this
State was to rob the Treasury OF
$974, ,IlO.46, according to the official
reports. Upon the heels of which
the Republicans gained the ascend
ancy they have since held. This
enormous theft has been supple
mented by similar defalcations in
such Democratic Counties as Butler
and Fairfield, though from the ne
cessltles of the case these robberies
nave been upon a more limited scale.
Last winter, upon motion of Gen
eral William Fl. Ball of Muskingum
"a man of rare ability, the most
prominent Democratic lawyer in the
House Of Representatives, and a
partisan of such standing that he
was selected as permanent President
OF the 9th of August Convention
an investigation into the official con-
dnct of State officers was ordered by
the following resolutions.
"ResolUed, That committee of
five members be appointed by the
Speaker with authority to send for
persons and papers, and whose duty
it shall be to inquire and report to
this House, whether any money has
been drawn from the State Treasury
including expenses for this Legis-
lature, and all contracts in that be-
half, and the construction and main
tenance Of the charitable institutions
OF the State, and all other expenees
payable from the funds of the State"
You will perceive that a very wide
discretion was given to the commit
tee under this resolution. The dis
tinguished gentleman who moved
this investigation, General Ball, was
made chairman of the committee.
Judge Isaiah Pillars, another leading
Democrat, was 8 member. The 9TH
er three-Bnrnham, Little and Adair,
were Republicans. The committee
remained in session between three
and four months, and only reported
the day before the adjournment of
the Legislature. Numerous witnes-
ses gathered from all parts of the
State, were examined-discharged
clerks, unsuccessful bidders, disap-
pointed contractors, architects, the
trustees and employees of public in.
stitutions, State officers and many
others. Whenever the committee
heard of any one suspected of know
ing anything to the discredit of the
State officials he was sent for. All
persons having complaint. to make
were invited to be present at the in
Vestigation. And now cannot bet
ter state the result than by quoting
the exact language of the report, |
signed by eve1y member of the com
m5ttee. Here it is: 14a Oh
"The examination has taken a
wide range. One hundred and nine
witnesses, residing in various parts
of the State, have been subpenoed
and examined touching public con-
tracts and expenditures, construc
ton of public buildings, conduct of
public institutions, etc. All matters,
reference to the date of their
occurrence; coming to the knowledge
Of the committee that seemed to
promise any probability of throwing
any light upon the subjects of inqui-
" OF any of them, have been dill
gently inquired into. ao Ss
Yous committee take pleasure in
that, so far as elective of
icer and their subordinates are con-
,erned very commendaBle honesty
md fidelity have been observed; and
hat in the official conduct Of no
public officer, whether elective or
has corruption been dis
losed. 4sY III
During the time covered by this !
nvest' t'gation, the Republican party ]
objected and disbursed ninety mil 1
ions of dollars, every dollar honestly
nd faithfully, without fraud or pee
Ilation; and no public officer un-
awfully profted by tampering with |
r betraying his trust. I
Now, l ask you, my fellow citizens, I
such record as this, acknowl- s
dyed and published to the world, by '
n intelligent committee acting un- {
er their solemn oaths,and composed I
1 large part of the ablest and most
Utterly partisan among our political L
pponents, is not such as to com b
lend the Republican Administration f
, the confidence and good will of e
d men who desire honest and faith G
Il conduct on the part of public of. f,
cials? If General Balls report is a
ne can you change for the better k
| the name ofreform? Is it not fair b
} ask that our party be continued "
authority, until in some particular a
roVen unfaithful to the public trust p
Id the interest Of the people?
RAILROAD AND THE FARMERS. c
Upon this question he said "There N
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