Year: 1866

desirous OF obtaining the sand he
stated to Talbot that he had promised
Jeffers to make proposition to let
the city have the sand, that he should
do so first, and that if they did not
accept it, helwould trade with him /;
he made the proposition to the city
with the provision that they must
accept or reject it at once; they did
not act upon it at that session, and
that the next day he male 4 contract
with Talbot on much more favorable
terms for himself than he offered the
city. These are the facts as stated
before the Council.


In regard to the charge of attempt
ing to pay the Ieidlein debt with city
orders, the facts as produced on the
investigation, are as follows. 1t seems
that Jeffers as agent for another person
I, purchased of John LeldIein a lot of
ground on Genesee street in this city,
and gave back mortgage in part
payment of the same A.bond ae-
companied this mortgage, containing
this proviso, that if the party paid to
the city of East Saginaw the amount
specified within sixty days, it would
be null and void. 1t seems that the
city had a judgement against Leidlein,
and, as the facts proved Jefler's object
in making this proviso in the bond
was TO secure this debt to the city;
shortly after this time the Controller
made an Investigation of the old bal
ances on the books of the city, and
also the books Of the Treasurer, and
aseertained that there was some : 800
credit balance standing upon the
Treasurer's books including some
81, 200 in the Sinking Fund, and that
he also considered that this amount
was ample to pay all the old outstand-
ing orders of the city, not at that time
taken care of, and suggested to some
of the officers of the city the propriety
of taking city orders, and placing said
orders to the credit of the Sinking
Fund, in payment of the Leidlein debt.
A portion Of these orders were upon
special assessments, the tax rolls of
which were then in the Marshal's
hands for collection, and the balance
were drawing seven per cent. interest
from the city. He also stated (which
was not denied) that he suggested the
matter to the Finance Committee,
stating at the same time, that, mas
much as he might be considered an
interested party, he would not recon-
mend the taking of the orders, but
that as financial transaction, he con-
sidered it go,d arrangement for the
city, which was assented to by a por-
ton at least of the Finance Committee.
Mr.. Allardt, the Chairman of the
Finance Committee, stated to Jeflers
that the matter was not in their hands
Tor settlement, but il he would M
Controller, recommend the taking of
the orders, that it would then be re-
ferred to them and they would con-
slider the matter. Shortly after Mr..
Allardt stated To Mr.. Jeffers that the
Committee had concluded not to take
the orders, and Jeliers stated that THO
party would pay the money on the
bond and mortgage as soon as Mr.,
Leidlein would come forward and dis
charge the same, which in due time
was done. These are the iacts as
developed by the inves igation. Mr..
Leidlen, the late city Treasurer, was
a defaulter when he went out of office
a year ago last March, in large sum
of money. 1t is true that he had
given a bond TO secure the city for the
money that was paid into his hands
as Treasurer, but let me inquire in
how many cases have those kind of
bonds been paid? Isit notgenerallyun-
derstood that corporations are better
able to stand the loss, than the bail 4?
And there is not one case in ten where
defalcations are collectedon bail bonds
The Controllers action has secured
this debt, and the money has been
paid into the city Treasury.


This is brief summary of the in
vestigaton of the charges against the
Controller, and the facts have shown
conclusive!y that, instead of censure,
he is entitled TO credit at the hands of
tax payers Of this city.


AS tax. payer, | regret very much
the action Of the Republican members
of the Council. As an assessor land
under the charter the Controller is the
assessor of the city) there is, perhaps,
no man in the city SO well qualified,
OF account of his experience, to per-
form this important duty as Mr.
aJeHers. The assessment last year
although difficult to make, on account
of the number of new plats and addi-
tione, believe was as perfect as the
assessment could he made. The as
sessment was admirably equalized,
and gave, / believe, general satisiac-
ton. He is perfectly competent to
protect our interests on the Board of
Supervisors, and has saved to the city
in this particular thousands of dollars
since he has been upon the board
These facts / obtain from Supervisors
who have been present with him for
years upon that board. As an officer
and a citizen, he has always been
active and vigilant in promoting the
interests of the city. He had nearly
the entire charge from time to time,
of raising our quota of troops to aid
in suppressing the rebellion, and for
his successful efforts in this respect, he
is entitled to the lasting gratitude of
the people. The quota was always
raised, and at saving to the city,
over and above other localities, of tens
of thousands of dollars.


/ will close this article by asking
the question, if the facts are as | have
stated, and which were developed in
the course of the investigation" is
the Controller even censurable Y"-
Has the city lost one dollar in conse-
quence of his acts2 But, OH the other
hand. has not his action upon these
same matters upon which the charges