The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-03
Mr.. BULLOCK's DEFENCE.

ATLANTA, Ga, Nay 20. ls76
TO THE EDITOR on THE HERALp:-
Your paper Of Sunday. the 2lst inst has only lately
come into my hands. The evident purpose declared
by your editorial comments 10 deal fairly and justly
with me, leads me to ask space for the following
The reasons that Influenced my Judgment and my
action in 1871 were given TO the public by me az tha
time and need not be now repeated That those
reasons well founded had no doubt then and
have none now But the surrounding circumstance
OF that day and Of this entirely dissimilar
Ny absence from tho State did not in the
slightest degree impede that rigid or hostile
investigation which given to my every
act personal or official did intend that it should
| had nothing to conceal. Ny only need was that
sufficient time should clapse in which The intense pol-
ca excitement occasoned by the enforcement OF tho
negros right to sit member Of the State Legsla-
ture and to hold office could subsido and pass away
The course which pursued seemed 10 be the only ono
whereby that desired result could be attained
Tho policy that adopted was certainly wiser than
have continued hopeless contest here the only re-
suit or which would have been 10 have brought upon
the State and country murderous domestic warfare
can now congratulate myself that although my
office banded over to my successor without any
special preparation for that purpose every record was
found complete, and while there wero but ten cents
was amply supplied with funds. AMI every dollar and
every bond duly accounted for Tho report that
made to my successor Of my transactions under the
fiscal laws or the State has never been dcredited.
Although assaed on almost every point nothing vui-
ncrabe found aud IL sandto day verified ana uni.
versaly accepted.
feel justified in saying o, myself, even at the risk
Of seeming be cgoiistca that, impelled by business
connections, adopted Georgia my home before the
and here during the war; and, up to the hour
Of my inauguration as Governor, was IN charge OF
nhA tnnr xNlA fhn
reposcd in far exceeded In amount any that
subsequently, exercised by me in behalf Of the
State And until political animositics were engen-
dercd word of suspicion uttered
against my personal or official integrity
In the editorial TO which refer you say
He is accused Of paying to imaginary Tennessee car
company $4,000 for that never were delivered while
he Governor.
To this reply that the Tennessee Car Company was
not 'smaginaryn but bond ide corporation, with
well known and responsible officers and stockholders,
extensively engaged IN the renting and sale or cars
NV connection with the transaction the official APP
prevail OF a contract made by and between the State
road and the company, all contracts over 49, 900
curing the Endorsed approval OF tho Governor II that
contract not fulfilled the company should have
been sued and compelled to respond for damages Cars
pany during my administration are running on the
State road to-day.
Mr. Bullock claims that he has been ready go to
explain why he did not earlier seek his vindicaton
Officers, attorneys and agents OF the State have re
quently corresponded with me during the past three
years. and sought Information and assistance, to all OF
which l have responded In manner pronounced by
them to DO entirely satisfactory. | have met them
personally and assisted them in New York at their re-
quest, and they informed that was ready and
willing TO come here whenever 1t desired that
should do There has neyor been day nor an hour
since my resignation when have not been accessible
either directly or through my attorneys here to any
request from the State authorities.
The people Atlanta confidence his abil
ty that he is innocent Of the offences with which
he Is and = sad that he soad have secured bail
guilty the very fact that he accused is morication to
State has under arrest for fraud
am sure that the modification OF the American
people in the aggregate does not exceed even II may
equal. that which experience But have the
ISOLATION OF knowing that am the occasion and not the
oft II the republicans of this state had been
ungcncrous or vindctivc this spectacle might have
been on exhibition earlier day We do not forget
that when, in 1868 my characterization democratic
predecessor IN Office refused 10 recognize the enran-
cbsemcnt Of the negro and the acts OF
Congress, he fed from the State and took with him the
State seals portion OF the archives and all Of the
treasury and he remained beyond the jurisdiction of
the Stale courts for several years Here
prtma Jacie for parte proceedings involving
very grave charges But no one within my knowledge
expressed disposition to harass bring dis
grace upon OK Governor Jenkins There Is no ques-
ton Of has personal and official integrity and yet up
to the present hour there has believe, been any
published report Of the made OF the large amount
oil State funds that we're in his hands when he fed nor
OF the OF portion or to the State Treasury
Under the present administration find that It Is
torious and not denied that there is unadjusted
imperfect account in the departments here OF the
disposition exchange made OF certain bonds
during the past two years, and that very
large amount of maney has been paid out
Of the State Treasury on bonds that had been pre-
viousy redeemed and reported In the regular per-
Torrance Of official duty executive warrant was
ccutcd and issued to the Treasurer to this
amount and yet Notwithstanding His Excellency
Governor Smith has the republican party arrayed
against him and Ia attacked and criticised by active
portion OF the democratic party, neither party doubt
the ntrepidtv OF his purpose would entertain the
thought Of procuring against him indictments for 'ar.
ceny alter trust delegated or for conspiracy TO
cheat and swinde the State" The performance by
OF the official acts in 1870 upon which in 1872
nearly year after my resignaton-thesc charges are
based, was just as entirely rroc from criminality
Those Of mnc have not boen tho necessary
OF dollars loss to tho State OF pcnnys pecuni.
airy advantage to myself have the charity to believe
that II they we're passed upon by legislative CON-
mittec Of to-day instead OF four years ugo, when
political feeling was at its height, indictments would
not have been thought OF
Every bond issued during my administration was in
strict accordance With law, regularly recorded and
accounted for and the State received its full measure
OF benefit thercfrom Every dollar received from
from the sale OF bonds duly and lawfully
accounted for My official records proved it when
resigned and they 1t to-day, and point with
just pride the material benefits Georgia received
from republican administration.
Riffs n BIJI.LOCK.