The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1905-02-02

ly the Miami and Erie canal. The last
legislature was asked to turn the
Miami and Erie canal over to syndi.
cate, but after hard fight the move
ment was defeated by the citizens and
taxpayers who have the good of the
commonwealth nt heart.
The Cincinnati Post has just com
pleted thorough investigation OF the
canal situation. past and present, and
as 1t will affect the future. and in a
two.page story the questionable deal.
ings of electric mule" promoters,
leading politicians and state officers
| are laid bare.
In its introduction to the sensational
disclosures the Post says:
Public announcement has been
| made that the canal grabbers will
again attempt to seize the states prop
| erty.
Attorney Andrew Squire of Cleve'
land, representing the northern Ohio
| ans interested in the Miami and
Erie Canal Transportation company,
through holding it's stocks and bonds,
says the reorganization Of the concern
will be upon legislation to be sought
next winter.
"He is qualified to speak for the
grabbers. for he has been conspicuous
as their attorney and personally ap-
| peared before the last legislature in
behalf of the steal.
After repeated assaults upon the
State property, the light of publicity is
being turned upon the secret machina-
dons OF the canal grabbers.
decisive action taken in Cleveland
last week. charging conspiracy against
the syndicate which launched the
Miami and Erie Canal Transportation
company, and the numerous hearings
before Referee c. w Fuller Of Cleve-
land, disclose the connection OF the
Cincinnati politicians with the PROPOSE
ton in its incipiency.
Sworn statements and contracts In
dicate the amounts involved in the
transaction at its various stages of de-
velopment.
"A signed document sets forth the
negotiation Of the signatures Of gov
ernor and an attorney general OF the
state of Ohio, and aflixes. the value
thereof at $4,000 cash and s750,000 in
stock
THE revelations further show that
the electric mule combination never
intended the operation Of canal boats
by electricity as their ultimate prop
osition. The sale of the property and
rights received from the state for moth
ing were TO be turned over to gigan-
tic terminal scheme for steam and In
terurban railways.
"a secret contract was actually
passed and company formed to re-
ceive this privilege, worth millions"
The Post then details the history OF
the attempt to work the colossal grab
through legislatures 1t tells how w
c. Wagenhals secured the passage OF q
, bill authorizing a contract for propel
ling canal boats by electricity, but
which really carried with 1t the right
2 to build steam road on the cana
, banks Attorney Harry R. Probasco
who has been consistent fighter o
canal grabbers, opposed the measure
and succeeded in having Governor
Bushnell refuse his approval unles:
the contract expressly prohibited the
use Of the canal banks for steam rail
I, road purposes. Wagenhals frankl!
stated he did not want the franchise
with such provision Incorporated.
- Then Thomas N, Fordyce, Detroi
promoter, appeared on the scene. "an'
n on April %, 1898. the Legislature
passed an act authorizing the stat
board Of public works to experiment
with the electric propulsion OF cana
e boats. and, II successful, to contrac
e for the use OF the canal banks for tha
purpose for 80 years. The experiment
were made north of Mamisbure
n where a streetcar line parallels tn
a canal, Ten miles were to be used 70
:, the purpose. but only this strip wa
utilized. A canal boat was attache
: to a streetcar and II was found tha
It moved.
"Fordyce then began to float his er
terprise. Testimony before the refere
Q indicates that he went to George I
Cox In any event, he soon had Coz
his financial lieutenant. County Con
missioner and Auditor.elect G c Rict
ardson, and former Secretary OF Stat
Dan ]. Ryan interested"
Interest Just now centers In the col
tract, or secret agreement, betwee
Fordyce and C C Richardson OF Gil
cinnati, who acted for Cox and tn
Y others in the matter This agreemeI
Y was produced before Receiver Fulle
in court proceedings. by w, H, Lar
precht, Cleveland capitalist, and ii
sensational contract exposes the who
game and Is es follows;
"(a)--Said Lamprecht hereby pay
to said Fordyce the sum of $500
the receipt whereof Is hereby a
G knowledgel.
~ "(b)--Said Fordyce shall within
days from the date hereof obtain II
signatures sad approval OF the go
ernor and attorney general of the stat
of Ohio TO said resolution OF Feb. 2
1901, and in event that said signature
n shall be SO obtained then said Lam
recht shall: In addition to the $3.50
payment hereinbefore provided fc
pay to c. g. Richardson or the non
nees of said Richardson on or befo
March 1. 1902. the further sum
$4,000. With interest at 6 per cent Al
shall also deliver to g. c. Richards
or his nominees rs per cent Of the ca
ital stock OF any corporation or &