New-York tribune., 1878-01-18


which should have been used in paying FOL
the Capitol. and which. being delivered to Kim
ball. were used by him for other purposes, is
undoubtedly true. 1t was pretty hard 10 prove
| that Governor Bullock knew that the Tennessee
Company would not deliver the cars when he
paid the money for them. 1t was equally dli1-
cult to prove that the bonds which were stOieh
by Kimball were delivered to him by Dull
lock. After repeated pOstponements OF the
case, the Government seems to nave broken
bopelessly down upon both its charges. 1t is
hard to say how much of the iniquity or hlIn-
ball Governor Bullock has been compelled un-
instlv to bear. 1t is now urged in his behalf
that when he left Georgia he did so from no
fear of a criminal indictment, but because he
WIS not able to bear the clamOr against MN
caused by Klnball's failure. 1t is even averfed
that he was willing to return to Georgia 1or
trial ut any time.
Personally, as we have said. Governor Bull
lock gains by this verdict, but 1t VIII haruiy
wipe away all reproach from his record. IL is
impossible with truth to deny that he was all
abominably careless, even If he was not Il
criminal magistrate. He was sworn to ADMIN
ister the laws and to protect the treasury OF
Georgia, and TO save its Ovcr-taxed people
from additional oppression. He must nave
known by what unscrupulous and greedy cor
moronts he was surrounded. He was trained
man of business, accustomed to the Inspection
of accounts and familiar with financial ue-
tails. He is said to have shown, as Governor,
no little ability in suggesting ana man
aging enterprises for the benefit OF the
State. and lis appointments were gen.
erolly approvod. But he had many power
full enemies, and hs was not particularly
choice in the selection of friends. How nun
cry AID how unscrupulous they were in salts
fving their arpetitcs, is well enough known.
For three years the public money was fiung
about in all directions. for Il horde of plum
dcrcrs to pick up and TO pocket. The State
null turned out bonds al lbitum. The LeGis-
lature was plant. and it's members probably
had their share Of the spOls. Ii was good
time fol thieves, nor were they slow to I'M
prove it.
OF course there il some difference bctwcen
being morally weak or prcpenscly wicked
Governor Bullock had fair reputation, even as
a business man. before he unfortunately en-
gagged in politics, and associated himself with
the merccmaries of the political camp. After he
was bitten by the tarantula OF ambition, he
was Obliged to dance To the music of the ring
He tried to be respectable. lie promoted
mJper public measures when he could. lie
stood by tho negroes, though probably not
without constantly remembering that they Ead
votes. AID that there were Il G0Od many OF them
in the LEGISLATURE. But what could Il man do
when his very political existence depended or
seemed To depend upon bis win!ing at pccu-
lation and every eort of pE5lic thcycry. We
have 10 doubt that at certain periods OF his
government he WAS somewhat unfairly treated
by the oppositIon, AMI that often he heartily
wished himself ont of politics altogether. Bat
beiug once in. be had to 20 deeper, ana al
last, not strong enough to bear the pressure,
he ab,condcd. He saw his mistake soon
enough, and he has now no reason To regret
that hc was finally brought 10 trial.
These matters belong to the history of car
pct- -bagging, and if ever il is written Cover
nor Bullock will be u prominent figure in the
narration. Ii is n history self-limItod. and OF
is more discreditabe features We have little
reason 10 fear repetition. When the whole
pcriol Of Southern msrue shall be iuC' 'cially
considered it will he found that neither party
can be absolvcd from blame. 1t will he 4
story OF bulldoz,ng ~ well as of carpet-bag-
cIng-of murder and cruelty rs well as of
pccnlation. Il Will be- some compcns1tl0n for
il, dioasrccabc truth. that such records are
necessarily full Of warning and instruction.