The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1878-07-04

covers $4,000,
Early on Monday the news flew
around town that George Fessler, Stark
county's absConding Treasurer, was at
London Ontario, and when the Cleve-
land Monday morning Herald was reCeiv-
ed, intelligence was got of his depositing
$4,000 in the Dominion bank at that
place. Later in the day word was re-
ceived from Messrs. Lynch and Shields
that they were in London and had found
the fugitive. In this paper will be found
the Cleveland Herald report from Can
ton, and also that from London. The
latter is a faithful representation Of the
delinquent Fessler,
The defalcaton will probably reach
$65000, At the Auditors Office we learn
the grand total of the June collections to
be accounted for, is, in round numbers,
$4,000 orders outstanding will increase
this to $2OS 900. Out of this aggregate
has already been paid of the Canton Un.
ion School funds some $4,000 also road
receipts, witness and jury fees, and var
ious sums to city and township treasur'
ers throughout the county, amounting to
about $4,000.
The County Commissioners have not
vet made their report to the Probate
Judge, and will not until after the re-
turn Of Messrs. Lynch and Shields from
London, Ontario. No treasurer has yet
been appointed, but one soon will be.
This calamity will fall heavily upon
the con6ding citizens, Democrats and
Republicans, who signed Fessler's bond.
Knowing him as they did, as a weak
man, it is surprising now to the gentle
men themselves, that they went on his
bond at all and it seems especially
strange that Fessler was trusted as long
as he was. As the Cleveland Herald cor
respondent states, Fessler was put in
charge of Mr.. Feather, one of the bail,
through whose careful managementit was
hoped and thought the confusion would
be Strengthened, and things come out
square or nearly 30. No one dreamed of
George Fessler being capable of quitting
the Treasury in this way, and lighting
out to Canada, as did the late Republican
treasurer Of Wayne county. All thought
him good, honest fellow, though rather
too yielding through lack of frmness.
1t is possible that developments yet may
unfold a mingled tale, showing up the
dangers attending unwholesome infuen-
ces and bad associations, Truly, "evil
communications corrupt good manners"
A dispatch from Mr. Lynch induced
visit to Fessler's residence. Deputy Au-
ditor Creech. accompanied by Mr.. Louis
Schaefer as witness, informed Mrs. Fess.
Ter that they had information that Mr..
Fesser had left $4,000 ofStark Co.'S mon.
ey there, and if it was handed over
peaceably, it would save a search, and
possibly an arrest by the Sheriff. The
money, after some further talk, was at
length brought out from the bed where
it was concealed, and handed over.
1t made two packages, tied up in two
handkerchiefs.
George Fessler was a popular candi-
date when he run for office, although
people who know him and knew the in.
might have had reason
to dread the outcome. fhe only true
and safe elements of popularity are
knowledge and moral frmness of char.
acter. Those shameless and corrupt in
auenCes that are sometimes resorted to
in the canvass, land Stark county has not
been exempt from these, are dangerous
and wrong in every respect We some.
times hear it said-"Oh, he's good fel.
Iow"-meaning he is free and easy and
ready to spend other peo-
ple's money as his own. Again, some
who worship the money god say-"Yes,
cts nominate him, he's got money"-as
# that was alone sufficient to qualify
man for an important public position re.
luiring qualifications of different char
acter entirely. We must get away from
such base considerations, and return to |
,he Jeffersonian rule: "I8he honest, is he
,apabIe, is he faithful to the Constitution ?"
Every good citizen should do his duty in |
his regard.
1t is proper to say here that this terri
Die and outrageous affair is a shame upon
,ur county, and as a Republican friend |
If prominence said to us last Thursday |
on getting off the Cars-"It
trikes all around" The county will not
,e the loser, as the bondsmen are abun.
Iantly good, although it will ruin many
# them. The officials are determined to
nforce the law, let it hit where it will.
his is the only way to do, and thus
make it warning to all in Office or seek
ng office.
The County Commissioners have EN-.
'loyed Lynch & Day to take principal
barge of thematter, and all our friends
7ho know them may be assured the af
air will be duly aud efficiently prosecut.
d under the law, as it should be.
-
. i
THE article from the Enquirer in this
aper, entitled, "Grosvenor and the Mi,
ers," is worthy of perusal, especially by