Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1850-10-03

Y. Journal Of Commerce, gives the
following specimen Of ssthe infinite
variety Of law which he sees and
hears in California; ..s.. y.
The question in dispute was, a.
usual, Jumped claim.p Scene
Washington, village high up IN the
South Yuba. Gourt-room- around
tent" or gambling shop, owned by
the .'Alcalde,. whom, behold at a
monte-iable, behind which he sits in
all the dignity Of Office, wearing the
only coat to be found in the place.
In pleading, the defendant fspul
himself upon the miners" instead oi
"upon the country" according to
the usual form, and then remarked
that "the papers in his hand had been
drawn up with a view to test the
ability and honesty OF the Court,
striking his fist on the table as If dri.
wing nail, which he cIenched by
quietly adding, "who is well known
to be in the round tent INTEREST,"
He then required the plaintiff to en-
ter security for cost OF suit, and when
the other had done this, demanding
the same Of him, he refused, cooIly
remarking that he never intended to
pay costs, or abide the Courts iudg-
ment, but should appeal to the mi
ners in mass-neeting. The plaintiff
at once withdrew the suit. avowing
his purpose to settle upon the claim
and defend il with his rifle. The de-
iendant thereupon Joined issue-"he
would do the like" and they were
about leaving the round tent, when
the Alcalde rose from his monte-tabIe,
and Indignantly burst forth. His
speech was filled with expIetives and
left handed blessings, 10 which dare
not attempt TO do justice. 1t was
only of an hours length, but consis-
ted OF few topics upon which the
changes were fiercely rung. He pre-
faced all by pulling off his coat. As
near as | can recollect, the body OF
his speech was this:
"GentIemenI hold on a bit till | get
through, and then we'll take a tot
together. i can't help sreaking 10
you now, cause that durty old coy
ote Of a defendent has attacked my
honor. meant to keep still till the
trial was over, but now, since they've
quit that, and are going 10 work at
the game that 'the longest pole
knocks off the persimmon," Pm
bound TO tell that defendant that |
don't know hin, don't want to know
him, don't Eeer for him, don't fear
him, and swear I'll fog him. Gen.
tlemen this is the first time my hon
or was ever attacted since you elec-
ted me Alcalde. lfever | try anoth-
or case, I'll try it with revolver on
The table, and if any man insults NE,
he shall receive the contents of it.-l
Gentlemen, ! stand in Californy on
my own footing as man, and on the
the miners as an
Alcalde. / come from old Yarginny,
, poor boy. and went TO Mazoura,
where should have been poo: all !
nv life, if ] hadn't married girl
with a powerful smart sprinklin' Of
money. Then ! used to lay off in
he shade with my babies, and it was
lei hearts delight to sit and see me
TO If. come out to Californy TO
-eplace them dimes, and when a man
lssails my reputation, he assails the
equation of a man Of family, who
Who hev family duties to mind. |
eft a wife and two innocent babies
n Mazoura, and it would be mean
or me to come out here and do any,
hing dishonorable. Gentlemen, the
defendant hev huv out some insinua
ions against my character. If he'd
one anything else, | wouldn't keer,
ut when my honor is attacted-Fd
ather die-oh-h-hl [Here the AL
aide had a choking spasm of some
ength, and then proceeded with
lenched ists.) Gentlemen, Pm the
ttlest man on the river, but I've got
heart as big as a round tentl-l
hats why they elected me Alcalde, '
ecause was a little man, and had !
heart big enough to do justice TO
ound tent men and miners both.-
ince I've been Alcalde, I've always :
iven 'em the right sort of Justice, {
nd as long as | am Alcalde, | mean .
D give 'em just what sort OF justice $
aits me best. Pm no lawyer, and a
ont know any kidd of law but g
ommon law. And every body
nows that is nothing but common
'nse and justice, as we practyse it
CaliIorny. Now, gentlemen, /
ant you TO see if | don't give that 8.
sfendant justice according to the y
'mmon la% Of these diggins. (Here !,
le monte-table shook under an en- Il
haiic whack of his fist, and the ink oi
as scattered over the records Of the I,
,urt.1 Now the ink and the pen a,