The New York herald., 1869-02-17
GEORGIA..
Investigation OF the State Treasurer's Charges
Against Governor BuIiock-The Governors
Course Partially vindicatcd.

Investigation OF the State Treasurer's Charges
Against Governor BuIiock-The Governors
Course Partially vindicatcd.
ATLANTA, Feb. 10, 1862
The report or the Finance Committee. to which
was referred Tor investigation the charges made
against Governor Bullock by the State Treasurer
was presented to the House, anu without being
read, ordered printed. The report opens thus
"we do not say that Governor Bullock Is guilty
OF anything criminal or OF any bad faith;
but on the contrary we believe his inten-
tions were pure, and what he dfd was In
good faith believing at the time 1t for the best
interests OF the state, yet we think he acted without
authority OF law. Hence we propose TO examine his
acts and try them by the same test that the highest
and lowest citizens are tried by-namey, law and
The report then cites several cases showing that
the former Governors Of Georgia frequently exercised
the same powers a. those exercised by Governor
Bullock, and goes on 10 say:-"For the purpose OF
getting clearer aad fuller developments OF the facts
growing out OF the drawing and using OF the
$4,000 the subcommittee addressed 10 tre Governor
few interrogaories; also enclosed TO the Treasurer
the Governors communication 10 the committee and
endorsed thereon few interrogatoreS to him. He
responded Immediately 10 the inquiries OF the com
mistee, and the Governor gave a much more satls-
factory account OF the affair than we had before re-
ceived. We learned that the Messrs. Kimpall had
been advanced $4,000 for the purpose OF lighting
heating aud furnishing the Capitol, and with Il a
copy OF the vouchers, aud that the balance St000l
IN cash and cash items authorized by law to be can
tciitu NntIcNtT tiit IL plaCeu
IN the proper relation to the department. The rea
surers reply gave no other Information In the matter
but contained an intimation that $1,000 charged To
the state in the money column had been Improperly
used by the Governor This suspicion we find on
examination TO be perfectly groundless. We do not
intend to be guilty or captous fault finding but
tsned OF the integrity OF the Governor, are still
willing TO repose in him generous confidence In
conclusion upon full consideration OF the facts and
circumstances, the majority OF the committee nav
Ing so decided, we refuse to make any recommends
ton ~ whether the siase shall assume the payment or
the City Council OF Atlanta be held responsible but we
DO recommend, to prevent a similar occurrence here
after that the Judiciary Committee be instructed TO
prepare bill defining more clearly the duties OF
the Governor and Treasurer aad give the Treasurer
exclusive power OF negotiating bonds by and with
the consent OF the Governor. We apprehend that
the treasurer, when warrant Is properly drawn by
the Governor, approved aud entered by the Comp
troller General, has no right to 60 behind the war
rant to look into its legality. The warrant II within
the amount appropriated is his security.
ernor's handsy to be used as he thinks
proper, and the Treasurer has no right TO
question hts use or application OF tina; fund. The
commttee, which is made up OF republicans, demo
Gratis and conservatives, made very thorough and
impartial Investigation Of the whole matter.