The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1859-09-14


my stewardship, and make answer to an
indictment for certain political offences Of
grave import O., took me with surprise,
even rs warrant in the hands Off sher-.
if, often does q poor criminal
But thank you for permitting me to
use the columns of the Clarion in max
ing my defence, and pardon me, if in SO
doing, l shall be under the necessity of
using language plain and unmistakable
in its import, and perhaps of making
statements not very complimentary to
my accusers.
The whole head and front of my Of
Tending seems to be simply this:
A distribution of the patronage within
tho gift of the Court among the Demo
cratic journals of this county, while the
Clarion receives but q small share Of
such patronage. Why this should be so,
you say, has become serious question
among the Republicans of this county
and remark throughout the State.
Now, really, it had not hitherto occur
red to my mind, that an individual living
in comparative retirement, pursuing the
even tenor of his way quietly and unos-
tentatiously, should have fame so far
abroad; and were thus known in any
other light than that of political offend.
er, l might be pulled with sort of gas
eous pride, by no means compatible with
my reputation hitherto for sober minded
ness sedatencss, and want of alfectation.
But l have three potent reasons why
sentence of political death should not be
passed upon me, barely because The court
has literally distributed the patronage
within its gift among tho Democratic
journals of the county, the first of which
is this:
Previously to my entering upon the re-
sponsible duties of The office of Judge Of
Probate, took solemn oath, that
would perform the duties of that office to
the best of my ability, and in accordance
to that sacred obligation, have ever en-
deavored TO act independently and fear
lessly. a
Now il is well known to those CONVEX
SAINT with the Probate Law, relative to pro-
ceedings in the Probate Court, that it is
desirable that as extensive information as
possible should be given of certain pro-
ceedings in the settlement of an estate,
TO wit:
The appointment of administrators
notice to creditors of the time and place
for receiving, examining and adjusting
claims; sale Of real estate, &C., in order
that the estate may be settled in man
ner that should be most for the advan-
tage of all persons interested in the same.
And it is well known fact, too, that
newspaper generally circulates more ex-
tensiyely in the immediate vicinity of its
publication than one published at point
more remote.
Now, until quite recently, the Grand
River Times, published at Eastmanyille,
had quite an extensive circulation in tie
Eastern portion of our county, more so,
than either of the papers published with
in the limits of Ottawa. In the South
ern portion of the county the Hollander
and Register, enjoy almost undisputed
sway. While in the Western the Clar-
ion snd NeaOs have the ascendancy. ?
Therefore, being in duty bound, by ev-
cry sense of honor and obligation,to cause
every estate that comes within cognizance
of the court, to be settled, as far as in me
lies, in the best possible manner, through
all the varied stages of proceedings, l
have ever sought to give the greatest pub
licity to every transaction in which par
ties both rear aud remote may be interest
ed, in order that equal justice may be done
to all hence, the best medium which in his
judgement for conveying the requisite in
formation, without regard to political
preferences, has been sought by the court.
The second reason is: In many in
stances, probate notices published in the
Office of the Clarion, have been charged
twenty-five per cent higher than notices
Of a similar character, inserted in other
journals.
The estate of deceased persons, in
many instances is small, scarcely sufficient,
after the payment of just claims existing