The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-10-17

Wilson, and he ruled, as he had avowed, and
an appeal was at once taken 70 the interior
secretary. Mr.. Wilson is q gentleman whom
highly respect, but he has been for q long
time 10 the government service, and his
mind has been trained 70 look at the govern
ment side of every question affecting it, His
extensive reading and Incompatible memory
serve to lend a charm to his conversations,
but his mind utterly fails him in the power
of analysis and the proper application of
legal principles to a given state Of facts, or
in drawing proper legal deductions there.
from. From the first knew he would be
against the state, and hence, in my first re-
port 10 Gov. Yates, made in April, 1868. /
say, on page 10:
'On the next morning | was informed by
one of his 1.-THE land commissioner's) clerks,
who seemed to have charge of the business,
that the commissioner and himself gave the
same construction TO the laws that / did, not
but that Mr.. Joseph Wilson, chief clerk,
whose opposition I hal anticipated, differed
with them"
few days after the appeal on the merits
Of the case 10 the interior secretary, was per-
fected, 1t was argued before that officer by
my associate counsel and myself, The secre-
tary held the matter under Amusement, and
before rendering decision therein left for his
tor Its result was not only matter of per-
sonal Inconvenience to myself, but may ev-
entnate in great injury to the state. l do
not, however, believe that Mr.. Harlan was
actuated by any improper motive in leaving
the case undisposed of. | suppose he had
some unexpected and important business to
call him away, yet it seems strange that Mr..
Usher should have twice left Washington,
and went to Indiana, while tue case was
pen ling before him, and | was waiting there
tor a decision-that Judge Edmonds. the
land commissioner, should have lett under
similar circumstances, for Michigan, and
then that Mr.. Harlan should have gone
causing the whole matter to look as though
each and all were seeking TO avoid RESPONSE
bility. -
IL would not beproper for me to speculate
on the probables decision of the honorable
secretary. | suppose it will be rendered soon
after his return to Washington, and | pro-
pose TO let il speak for itself. 1t will not be
improper for me 70 add in this connection
that the whole question examined BY
three able jurists In Washington, when was
last there, and they agreed with other opiu
ions which will be found IL my reports, that
the justice and legality of he case Is with
the state. | cannot bring nv self to believe
that the rebel STATES of Alabama and Missis-
slppl, covered ali over. as they are, with the
leprosy of treason, should have been paid by
the government their whole five per cent. as
they were, aud true and loyal Illinois be turn.
ed away empty.
| shall publish my report soon after the
decision is announced, and | promise you one
Of universal interest. II will, among other
things. show that the late interior secretary,
John p. Usher, corruptly and feloniOusly alb
stracted and carried away from the records
of the case a letter of President Lincoln's de-
Gliding 1t in favor of the state-thus attempt
ing 70 deprive her of its benefit, ami % screen
his own guilty conduct In disregarding it
The proof on tins point L. 80 Oyerwhe ming
that no one will question it. ! make the
charge knowing what | say. If the state
cannot be defeated except by such means.
they are welcome to a victory over her-to
such victory "a may thus be gained.
/. y. NORRIS.
Quincy Oct . 1S65