The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1872-03-21

f.. II. HUTCHINS,
D. NJ. sABlN,
E. Il. SMITH.
Republican State Central Committee.
Dated Minneapolis, March !, 1872.
ADDITIONAL FACTS CONCERNING
THE ST. CLOUD LAND OFFICE.
1t MIR. Charles A. Gilman were IS
successful in all things as he is in f
napcial operations, the two column pro
duction which appeared oyer his sigma
ture in the last issue of the Land Office
Organ, could not but have contained
something which would have tended to
leave his reputation and the regulations
OF those who arc associated with him,
in somewhat better odor than they now
are. While Mr.. G.. has demonstra.
It'd that he has the ability of turning
whatever he may touch, if not into
gold, ut least into scrip, which has
served him an equally good turn, he fails
utterly 10 bis attempts to meet the
charges made in TIE JOURNAL of two
weeks ago. He seems so conscious Of
tho weakness Of his case, that he quick
y drops all efforts at defense, and en-
deavors to distract attention by charges
against various other people. He en-
largcs 90 the statement that Mr.. Bur-
bank has made entries Of land ; that
the editor Of this paper held land Of
fee position for time; and so forth,
aud 80 forth. Admit this-what then :?
10 making our charges We demanded
that no: only the presen. but The past
condition Of the Land Office be usidly
examined. If Mr.. Burbank, or any
previous officer, used fraudulent means
in obtaining lands or vas guilty of any
other maltcasance, We demand that he
shall be exposed. We have no one to
shield. An official report states that
gross frauds have been committed in
tn, St. Cloud Land Office. We want
such an Investigation made as will show
who the guilty parties are. % this
point, there is little doubt in the pub
lie mind but tho case calls for official
action. Mr.. Gilman cannot, by any ef-
forts such as those he is now employing,
escape the facts which, pointing to him,
say: "Thou art the man ~
But brief time will be req Tired for
the few points Mr.. Gilman attempts to
make in his defense. He says scrip at
$500 to $500 per acre would be ex-
pensive. Certainly it would; but the
scrip, or applications, which you used,
Mr.. G., did not cost you more than a
slight fraction of the amounts you have
uamed. Mr.. Meals report gives the
price at about fifty cents per acre.
Mr.. Gilman sets up the claim that
he has not increased his property zone
dollar, either 10 the use of scrip or ap-
plicatious. In one sense, true. Mr..
G., with that precaution which is one
essential feature Of his financial abilities,
made all his entries in the name Of Mrs.
Hester A. Gilman, or some of his rela-
tives.
With exceeding modesty, thu ex-
Register refers to the matter Of his
hasty resignation. lie dcvotes four and
one-llalf lines to it. But he neg
lccts to state that this resignation fol-
lowed Immediately on the heels of the
report of the Commission appointed to
examine into these fraudulent scrip
matters-a coincidence which is rather
rem.tkable, considering that Gas Mr.. G.
states in another place. "no one in St,
Cloud had anything to do" With this
scrip. It is Interesting to observe at
what odd times people will Insist upon
resigniog fat Offices.
Mr.. Gilman makes q correction as to
tho matter of salary. We had stated
chat che is now the owner and occupant
Of one Of the most elegant residences
in the State, besides holding fortune
in lands. Accommodations OF this masoi-
tude, on salary of So, 900 per year, re
qxire = degree Of business management
which honest men seem neve to pos
sess." Mr.. Gilman says the proceeds, az.
dsiuctiog clerk hire, did net saver
ago more than 81 400 per year-the best
year not exceeding $4,000" We con-
fess thai this make tho problem all
the more puzzling. What appeared
impossible with $4,000, Mr.. Gilman
demonstrates can be done with l,4OO.
Financial ability which can accomplish
such astonishing results seems to be in.
digenous to Tammany Hall and tho ST.
Cloud Land Office.
Supported by official authority, char
ges have been publicly made against
tho Saint Cloud Land Office of 50
important character as to call for
prompt attention from the proper De-
partment. A commission should be ap-
pointed to make thorough Cand publ,c)
Investigation, with power to send for
persons and papers-a commission COM
posed of men who cannot be tempered
with. It is stating nothing novel to
say that the ability which c,n make a
fortune in three years out Of 81 400
per year understands the use CT money.
There are other matters connected
with the management of the st. Cloud
Land nfico to which va would also beg
lesve to toall ;he attention Of the De-
partment::