, 1840-05-02
FOR THE SALT RIVER JOURNAL.

by a communication 1t contained, and from
/" that boldness'' with which the piece began,
| expected to see at the bottom of it the
rame of some well known citizen Of Pike
county, who Justly felt himself agrieved; but
at the end of the article, l found the name
&" Umenes."
Now, likewise have been a citizen of
Pike county, a number Of years. and am in
terested in our county affairs. but I'cannot
force myself to be terribly alarmed at the
course Of our county officers. have been
at court and conversed with the Justices up
on The subject of which "Umenes'" CON-
munication speaks, and found them cheerful
to give every explanation Of that rumor; and
| do not doubt but that any member Of the
court would satisfy any person-c Umenes'
not exceptedl by stating the facts, and refer
ing to the public records; but, have noticed
for some time, that the county court and the
clerk, seem to be an eye-sore to a few anx-
ious expectant partizans. and some of their
more immediate menials; thus it follows that
a hue and cry must be kept up, when the
truth of the case is just at hand. and easily
obtained, and has been unhesitatinyly given
to all who really wish TO know for the good
of the county. What is truth 7" said PlIte
TO Jesus, and would not stay for IN answer.
As to publishing the proceedings OF the court.
every one knows there Is no law 10 that pur-
pose, and no appropriation TO defray the ex-
pense-nor has IL ever been The practice OF.
the courts; their proceedings are recorded,
and that record is always ready for public in.
spection. "Umeues" gives the worthyS Sen
ior Judge praise for opposing what he calls a
private investigation of the Clerks account.
whereas, If | am correctly informed, the court
held no private Investigation as a court. but
on the contrary. had the said account public
lv Investigated in open court, and ordered The
over-charge refunded; TO which, the Senior
Judge dissented. 1t must be plain then. that
the Jr. Judges, as well as the Senior Judge.
are for saving the peoples money, and do
not intend that it shall be improperly expen-
ded nor wasted by hurrying into unpromising
law suits. nj perhaps Il heavy expense TO the
country. No doubt "Umenes" has heard
all this talked of through the county. and az
he appears so partial TO rumors and relies so
much upon them, he certainly should allow
the one to have as much influence with hi.
fruitful fnncy rs the other. But that would
not suit his purposes, he loves to deal in a
particular kind Of rumor. "Umenes" seems
to think, because he glories in looking at the
dark side of matters of interest, from flying
report. the people OF the county will do like
wise; but let me assure him he is in error
He would induce the people to believe the
Justices of TIE court had power to fix their
taxes AT their discretion to any extent, when
in fact. it is reasonably limited bv law. 1t
would be a tedious task to notice all the ab-
Surdities of 'Umenes : he at one time makes
the proceedings Of the court dark and mys-
FERROUS. and at another, II is clear and plain
quite plain! He informs us in his valuable
publication, that " the court once determined
upon the arrest of their clerk for drawing
more money out of the state treasury, with
out a proper warrant from the county court
than was legally due him.. Now. here is
another astonishing instance Of the credulity
Of "Umencs'' in which he has suffered him
self TO be again imposed upon by rumor; does
not any one conversant with our county Of
fairs know that the court is not authorized to
issue a warrant on the state treasury 7 Won
derful inancier, and patriot thou Umenes -
Pike will surely make you Judge or clerk in
consideration Of your profound erudition and
great love Of the people and their institutions,
which all must admit you have so ably mani.
tested in your attempt to discharge the over
~lowings Of your spleen upon the court and
clerk; you might alarm the public in a small
degree if it was not so easy to detect in it a
spirit Of scurrility and abuse. 1t requires no
great penetration to perceive the real object
in the communication;-certainly a new
court and a new clerk is wanted-who can
think differently from the present ~ncumbents,
in regard to other matters besides those of
the court.
From my acquaintance with the members
of the court, have the utmost confidence
that they will in due time act ndviSedly anu
justly in the case, and not he influenced To a
premature decision by the Impotence of
'Umenes' for his victims. But, of one thing,
] am sure, that | wish justice melted out
wheresoever il is due. and without doubt
the citizens of Pike generally wish The same,