The Huntington argus. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1872-1905, 1872-07-20
AN OPEN LETTER.

u may concern. ..... f.rr
iS the Huntington (w. va.) Argus was
published in the issue OF June StI, an ar.
ticle entitled, "A Little War in Ohio.
The said article embraces nearly column
OF printed matter, which is taken from the
Peoptes Defeader, of Adams county, and
from the PIKE County Republican.
The publication is not written in good
temper or spirit 1t appears to he a stud.
led effort TO impress upon the minds oil the
settlers on the unsold lands in the Virginia
MILITARY District that they are the victims
OF conspiracy between the Legislature,
the Trustees OF the Agricultural College,
aud Hon. James NJ. Trimble, as the rep
resentative of the board OF trustees. charg.
ell with the duty OF causing these lands to
be surveyed and the right OF settlers upon
them TO be ascertained
Dir. Eylar, of the Dsfcnder, attacks the
law authorizing the survey and sale OF the
lands and inferentially the board OF trustees,
for he says, at seems TO us, that the law
the people need is one allowing the agent
to sell IN less quantities than 100 acres,
instead OF opening up these lands to soul.
less spectators; and adds, "there is room
for them to do too much grabbing under
bht IA" 10 IL uOW oltiuS.
The Pie County Republican copies the
entire article from the Defender, and then
assails Mr. Trimble in the language fol-
lowing:
"'rhe above is from the Peoples Defen-
der, printed in West union, Adams county,
aud we hail its words, fifty spoken, with
delight Had the papers of the several
counties taken the bill originally in
,rAlnool . r. .f N
BILE, and exposed its neiarious provisions.
the friends of justice and equity would
have gotten through the Legislature bet
ter law. 1t seems that the editors in sew
eral counties we're derelct, aud ought to
have done better. But we are glad that
the interest has not died ont, and that Mr.
Trimbles intentions to again open the
question, to the disadvantage of"The PEG.
pie, against the interest oil the State, and
in favor OF Swindlers, will meet u stern.
determined successful opposition, and that
Mr. Trimble will be defeated and finally
driven from the Board of the Agricultural
College, which he disgraces by his at
tempts under the cover OF a law gotten
through the Legislature by his own exer-
tons, to distress the occupants OF land in
tended by Congress to have been given TO
College he represents, and we are panied TO
believe that he is making fools Of some eisl-
teen gentlemen who do not, or ought not
desire to do injustice, that College large.
ly endowed 10y the mumificence of Con-
gress, may prosper. We propose to carry
this war into Africa or that board itself.
before the great wrongs Mr.. Trimble evil
IDENTIFY intends shall be cOnsummated
| fl,af tla alto. q Il
Republican would employ the above strong
and opprobrious language to an old and
honored citizen of the State, engaged i'm
the performance OF high public trust con.
fided to him by the board OF trustees of
which he is a member, without gpod cause
The article is before me as | write. There
Is no where in it any charge that Mr.
Trlmble has in any respect violated his
duties, or wronged any one. The men who
have thus assailed his conduct, are invited
to make specific charges and introduce
their proof
Being "A member of this board of trus-
tees, and an advisory member Of the com
mittee with Mr. Trimble to reclaim these
lands, deem it duty that we owe to the
public, and especially to the settlers on
these ''unsold' lads. with whom Mr..
rrimbe has particu arly TO deal, to make
the following statement OF facts:
The unsold and unrecaimed lanl. ia The
virginia Military District had been sur
rendered by the holders OF the military
land warrants to the United States and re-
ceiyed therefor, l.. ). land scrip, TO be
located on other and better lands
Mr.. Trimble first proposed to the Re leral
Government a cessiOn of these lands to the
state Of OHIO; and through the aid of Hon.
John I. Wilson. the faithful representa-
tive in Congress from this district, Congress
passed the act of February lyih, 1871. As
-pon rs this act was passed. General Cock.
erlll introduced into the House OF Repre-
-entatiyes bill to grant these lands to the
Agricultural College. IL failed TO pa-- fOr
want oil time.
At the annual meeting Of the board Last
January, Mr.. Trinhlc aud mv.eli were
a committee TO prepare bill TO
provide fer the survey AMI sale pftr,, lands
90 granted to the state, ami the nfp'Itu-
ion Of tie net proceeds 10 the ifrcduclble
lcht Of the state for the use oft.e Col
ege That duty we performed to the best
Il our judgment The bill however, was
July discussed in the Legislature, and
amended in many particulars before it be-
:ame q law
The following digest OF the provis-
ons OF the two acts Of March 18th and
s prl 2Jth.
J.. The title to said lanl- il vested in the
Trustees u the Ohio Agricultural and Ne.
'hahical College, for tie benefit Of the
College
= 10 cause competent survey Of said
lands ~ he male with plats
, To ascertain and set OIL. in reason
ably compact form. by accurate bOunda-
-ie-. 10 each occuuant who vaa in actual