The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1853-08-19
Gen. Gllson's defence.


We conceived that this man and his
course had passed from under OUT criti-
cism, Bu, he has published jastifca
ton which will be found in our paper,
and we mus. needs take up tho matter
again:
|. The Law was very incompreheDsible
TO him. He was ''at loss" in the matter.
We think he ought 10 have understood
the intent Of the Legislature we'll. For
years by a series Of acts the avowed design
had been 10 favor "aciual settlers" BY
oa,hs Of settlement, &C., an effort was
made TO exclude the speculator from any
special favor or privilege. He could
only have the Lands at theiv full Value
the settler at reduced price. This no,
S one Of the most ordinary intelligence in
Northwestern Ohio failed 10 comprehend;
and Mr.. Gibson, as State Land officer,
should be stopped from making the plea
Of ignorance. II i'll BELTS any man to
cling 10 an Office and plead Incompetence
and want Of understanding for the dis
Bcha:ge Of its duties. A2t
In 1850, complaint having been made
Of abuse, it was thought necessary TO
change the officers in the management
Of the Lands and put restrictions on the
system. The Legislature chose 10 trust
more 10 the integrity Of the officer for
the necessary correction Of the matters
complained ofihan by added legal reslric,
ton. Mr.. ellison urged the passage and
{ hurried though ,hellaw under which he
was appoihted 10 defeat composition as
speedily as possible and se Ire The Office.
+ One Legislative body almost una nimous-
ly recommended him By personal recon
s r - r--,- .i4si = u
ly passed, and he was at once appointed
By ihe Governor when the law was passed,
undoubted trust in his ability and integ>
to carry outthe spirit snd meaning Of the
Law was had on almost all hands. He
has violated Tho spiril Of the law vans
tonly and has not even observed the
letter of its instructions.
2. Not comprehending the intent Of the
Legislature Gen. ellison took legal advice,
so he says. He took "good counsel"
We doubt It, and want the names Of
these "good counsel" for Inspection
But why did he take this counsel! The
Auditor Of States advice, The Attorney
Generals opinion would at once have
relieved him Of doubt, and Of RESPONSE
Ability--why were they never consulted!
Why for months was nothing breatbed to
them Of these difficuliies2 Because the
advice Of the Genoral's private advisers
suited better than tha, Of honest guvefn>
Hment officials whose duty il was 10 give
il, and because he had desire 10
10 tho wrong, aud did not seek the bes,
COUNSEL iiB aftf 9ji3it9b n
8. Mr.. Gibson says that from these
ssgood counsel'' he learned the law made
ano limit 10 quan,i,y'' of lands TO each
individual. Bn. the laud, at reduced
prices, was expressly limited to 'actual
settlers, who might each settle one "trac,,"
and no more. Somehow or other there
vas something like limit abou, This but
Mt. Gibson, sbfewd as he is. could not
comprehend IL Who can believe this!
4. Authority had a high value with Mr..
Gibson. He followed Congressional prec.
edenis. Humbug! The State Of Ohio
granted her lands ii 4lh Of their value
20 actual settlers The United States
Land Granting Department always sold
theirs 10 the highest bidder, until they
could not get a purchaser, when they sell
the refuse Of stipulated price. How
was il Mr.. ellison in his search for prec-
edents never looked at the Stale Laws
before passed on this subiec, 10 inform
himi Why did he prefer a usngc having
no force, similiiuder or connection with
The mattera Like The Scotch Jury who
6rsi returned the prisoner guilty. and
then vent into enquiry as 10 the evidence
to iidsiify their verdict. 50 Gibson did the
act, aud the excuse, lame as il is, was the
,sftet thought. HU better ccmPrehends
the relations flaws than IiAnesily to hold
that usages intended 70 sasiain The mos
contradictory policy should direci bis dis
shs,gs ofduiy. Tbs y. 3. Laws express