The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1873-09-05
desire to say of both Democrat,

are men of undoubted personal char
acter and ability. Judge Collins
have known for many years, and
respect him very highly. Mr.. Ale
. ! have never seen, bat twenty-five o
thirty years ago he was power j
Ohio and the nation once an aspiran
foF the presidency. / have no doub
he is now clear-headed and worth,
man. Or his political opinions an,
influence | shall have more to ga,
hereafter. He is the representative o
the worst element of the Democrati
party, by its ticket and its platform
publishes to the world that it stead
lastly holds on to the dead past, gloat
over the misdeeds of other years
hugs the delusions which have led t
uniform disaster, and clings to the ole
name, for better, tor worse, in sickness
and in health, until death shall par
them. Nothing but Overwhelming
defeat, conspicuous and crushing, viii
ever educate this wing of the party
up to an appreciation of the living
questions, the vital issues of the pres.
ent day.
STATE MANAGEMENT - ENDORSEMENT
by THE OPPOSITION.
But, my friends, we are entering
fupon the discussions Of a State cam.
paign. What is then, SO far as State
affairs are concerned, at issue between
the parties? :? If there is any one thing
at this time more prominent than
another in the public mind, it is 6
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 scrutinized
their motives are challenged, aud theil
actions are approved or condemned
according to the popular judgment
Sometimes that judgment may be
wrong, and injustice may be done
but it is generally right, and in the
long run, may be safely trusted
Recent events have made it stern and
critical, as in times like these it ought
to be; its severity will be lesson
and a warning 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 it been in Ohio
Tor the last sixteen or seventeen years,
since the Republican party has had
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
$574,IlO 46, according to the official
reports Upon the heels of which the
Republicans gained the ascendancy
they have since held. This enormous
;heit has been supplemented by similar
defalcations, in such Democratic coun,
ties as Butler and Fairfield, though
from the necessities of the case these
robberies have been upon more linn
tied scale.
LAST winter, upon motion of Gen.
William H. Ball, of MuskinguIn, a man
of rare ability, the most prominent
Democratic lawyer in the House OF
Representatives, and partizan of
such standing that he was selected as
permanent President of the sixth OF
August convention, an investigation
into the official conduct OF State offici
ais was ordered by the following
resolution:
Resolcea, That a 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
withdrawn from the State Treasury
without authority of law; whether
corrupt contracts or expenditures have
been made affecting the State Treas
ury, including expenses for this Leg
islature, and all contracts in that
behalf, and the construction and
maintenance of the charitable institu
tions of the State, and all other ex-
penses payable from the funds of the
State"
You will perceive that very wide
discretion was given TO the committee
under the resolution The distinguish
ed gentleman who moved the investi-
cation, General Ball, was made chair
man of the committee. Judge Isaiah
Pillars, another leading Democrat,
was a member. The other three,
Burnham, Little, and Adair, were
Republicans. The committee remain
ed in session between three and four
months, and only reported the day
before the adjournment OF the Legis
lature. Numerous witnesses gathered
from all parts of the State, were exam
med; discharged clerks, unsuccessful
bidders, disappointed contractors
architects, the trustees anu employees
of public institutions, State officers
and many others Whenever the
committee heard of any one suspected
of knowing any thing TO the discredit
of the State officials, he was sent for
All persons having complaint to make
were invited to be present at the
investigation. And now 1 canno
better state the result than by quoting
the exact language Of the report
signed by erery naenaJeT of the commit
tee. Here it is:
"The examination has taken a wild,
range. One hundred and nine wit
nesses, residing in different parts O
the State, having been subpGnaed anC
examined, touching public contract
and expenditures, construction o
public buildings, conduct of publi
institutions, etc. All matters withou
reference to the date of their occur
, renee, coming to the knowledge o
, the committee, that seemed to promis
E any probability of throwing any ligh
t upon the subjects of inquiry, or an
I ofthem, have been illigently inquire
Y into.
o "Your committee take pleasure i
E reporting that, SO far as elective officer
:, and their subordinates are concerned
y very commendable honesty and fide
e ity have been observed, and that j
Ii the official conduct of no public office
y whether elective or appointive, hs
o corruption been disclosed"
Il During the time covered by tn
II investigation, the Republican part
9 collected and disbursed ninety million
r of dollars, every dollar honestly an
?, faithfully, without fraud or peculatiol
II and no public officer unlawtuIly prof
IN ed by tampering with or betraYing b
re trust.
it Now, l ask you, my fellow citizen
is if such a record as this, acknowledge
a and published to the world, by {
Q, intelligent committee, acting und,
is their solemn oaths, and composed
IN large part OF the ablest and mo
be bitterly partizan among our polite
n opponents, is not such as to CONNER
e the Republican administration to Il
g confidence and good will of all m,
st who desire honest and faithful co
ly duct on the part OF public official
IS, II General Balls report is true, C
be YOU change for the better in the mar
le. of reform? Is it not fair 20 ask tb
sr. our party be continued In authori
It, until, in some particular, it prov
hy unfaithful to the public trust and t
es interests of the people?
or,p1rc TSsrIrI-TIoHS - cnNTp,prs,