Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-04-24
INDIANAPOLIS, APRIL 10, 1851.
The Georgia Lands.

The Sentinel" has two and a half columns to prove
that these lands acquired through the msmanage
ment of Wing Fund Commissioners. Admit its truth,
and certainly that does Justify the last Democratic
Legislature confirming the sale made by x-Govern-
or Dunnng Mr. Green for one thousand dollars when
he could have had five thousand dollars for them, and
probably a still greater amount.
These lands not entirely worthless now pre-
tended established by letters from persons on the
ground to Gov. Wright and transmitted by him to the
Legislature. The confirmation of the sale made IA
party question: or else why did it hnppen that those vo
inc for il were all Democrats with but few exceptions
and those voting against nearly all Wings. How
that be explained to the peoplel-IHdiGRa Journal
This is rather lame answer. If we did swindle the
State Of hundred and thirty nine thousand dol
lars, done it large scale, in gentlemany sort
Of manner; associations with Wing Governors
and Wing Bank officers But you Democrats cheated
the State of four thousand dollars by your Demo-
cratic Governor selling those lands to exDemocratic
Senator This is about the argument. As to the valze
of these lands have already produced the evidence
of their worthlessness. The Wing press and Wing
politicians may exaggerate the matter, as to enable
Green & Conwell to realize handsome profit They
may raise breeze that will lift the kite very high but
him that holds the string when the calm shall
come. As to the sale, it first investigated before
the Committee of Ways and Means, in lS49'50 and ai-
examining witnesses, John d. Defrees among the
rest the Committee reported in favor of its legality
1t that when neighbor of the Journal
was under oath before that Committee, it would have
been the proper time to have exposed this fraud But
90 behind this transaction and the time
when the Legislature authorized the Governor sell
these lands; where Wing friends, when the
minimum was fixed at S10OO7 Then and there was
proper time to have guarded the interest of the State
But after the sale was made by an authorized agent
and the title deed executed it was too late The Leg
islature could not then aside without violation Of
good faith. 1t would have been open of repuda-
tion This highhanded measure, no proposed and
the only question presented whether the SALE which
the Judiciary Committee had reported in favor of con-
firming, and which former Committee of Ways and
Means had decided be legal, should be confirmed OF
whether proceedings law should be instituted to set
aside majority of the Legislature, believing the sale
to be legal and willing hazard such bill of
as had been incurred in the case of Dr. Coe and not will
ling further throw good money after bad in the pay
ment Of taxes, confirmed the sale. A farmer sells his
homestead for $1,000, and conveyance; can
he round the next day and aside his sae the
plea that the property was worth $2000l Such a prin
cPe would render insecure ali the titles in the country
Democrats arc against reputation. They did moi
even attempt to repudiate the OF the Wing Fund
Commissioners in the sale OF the three hundred thou
sand dollars Of Bonds credit the swindline
Bank at Rochester, New York. The State must be
bound by the acts of their agents Recognizing thi.
doctrine, in its fullest extent, applicable State
as well as individual transactions, a majority of tn,
Democratic members voted accordingly. This explain:
why Wings and Democrats differed in their votes.