The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1872-05-01
Governor jenkins, Of Georgia.

or CnarleS y. JENKINS uaheS puUiiO
some interesting information rela-
tive to the financial and political
history of the State during his in
cumbency. When the other South
ern Governors were dispossessed
by the military at the inception OF
the scheme of Congressional recon-
struction it will be remembered
that Mr.. Jenkins stood stoutly on
the defense, instituted suit in the
Supreme Court of the United States
removed all the available funds
of the State from the reach OF the
carpet-bag convention, and only
Welded his office in the direct pres
ence of a force with which he found
it impossible to cope, accompany
ing his withdrawal, however, as he
says in his letter, "with a protest
against the proceeding as a fla
grant usurpation, yiolative of the
Constitution of the United States,
and declaration that l forbore re-
sistance only because was power
less to make it, In relating the
history of this period Governor
jenkins first alludes to the charge
that under his administration the
debt of the State was heavily in
creased, and makes it perfectly
clear that the only increase was OF
$40, 900 rendered necessary for the
support of the State Government,
the payment of interest on the
State, and the purchase OF corn for
the destitute. Coming to political
events, he sets forth the circum-
stances of the suits instituted by
him in the Supreme Court of the
United States in behalf of the men
>aced State, and adds:
l entered that court with al! the
veneration for it inspired by a
Marshall, a fancy, and their com
peers. / left it with the painful
impression, which time has not
mitigated, that the then incumbents
Tor a majority of them) had by pro-
crastination, deliberately evaded a
Judgment they could not have re-
fused without dishonor to them.
selves, yet could not have rendered
without offense to the despotic and
menacing faction then and still
welding the power of the Govern.
ment.
TO Messrs Charles O'Conner, Jer.
emiah s. Black, Robert j. Brent
David Dudley Field, and Edgar
Cowan, however, Governor Jenkins
says "the people of Georgia owe q
debt OF gratitude they can never
cancel' for the services of these
gentlemen on their behalf. Con
Guiding his letter, Mr.. jenkins re
fers to the fact Of his having re
moved the records of his office and
great seal Of the State to place Of
security until the Office from which
he was forced should see a rightfu
incumbent, and adds:
The books and papers herewith
transmit to your Excellency, thai
they may resume their place among
: the archives of the State. Will
them I also deliver to you the sea
of the Executive Department.
e derive high satisfaction from tn,
4 reflection that it h IS never beer
c desecrated by the grasp of mill
: tary usurper's har d-never beel
prostituted to authenticate officia
misdeeds of an upstart pretendel
y Unpolluted as it came to me l glad
ly place it in the hands of a worth
G son Of Georgia her freely chose
: EXecutive-my first legitimate sue
e cessor.
e In these sordid days it is pleas
= ant to know that the old sentiment
e of official dignity and devotion
IS principle still live; and in Georgi;
5e where the history which Governc
of Jenkins recalls has special signii
canoe, it is easy to see with whs
:. enthusiasm the matter Of his lettt
will be received. The stout figl
20 made by his Excellency in 1867
es has never been forgotten, an,
from the reception accorded his a
y, count of that contest, it is not at a
rs unlikely but that in the regul;
ly election of this fall Mr.. Jenkins W
II, again be chosen the Executive
G. the State New York World.
er
tn u The river, up to yesterday moo
Mt was three feet, four inches below t
n, highest water mark of last seaso
tv 1t is now on stand for the pa
~ 24 hours. Our latest news frc
n n above is very favorable to an eal