Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-03-27
THE GOVERNOR SPEAKS.

The political opponents of Governor
BOynton are on the offensive. Within the
last day or two they have induStriOusly
circulated reports that they would soon
uncover correspondence between Coy
ernOr BOynton and Governor Bullock.
which occurred during the latter's term
of office, and which would thoroughly an
initiate the present incumbent. The let
ters were known to be on file in the Exec
utive office, if in existence at all, and with
view to ascertain the whole truth and
to give its readers the benefit OF an early
perusal of these letters that threaten to
play such an important part in the cam
paign, the Constitution called on Cover
nor Boynton yesterday evening and asked
him what there was in the report.
''The statement" replied the Governor
promptly, ''that l applied to Governor
Bullock for appointment to a position on
the Superior Court bench, is true. That
those applications and my letters to him
are on tile in this office, do not deny. On
the contrary, j say they are here and YOU
may see them, and you may print them if
you care to do so, and l challenge any
man to find anything in those letters that
reflects discredit upon me as Democrat.
1.-The congratulations which are claim
ed to be 50 Objectionable refer simply to
she restoration of civil rule as preferable
to the oppressive military rule which had
dominated over our people so long and of
which every true Georgian desired to be
relieved. The reconstruction was not
approved, but it was then apparent that
civil rule was not attainable except
through that channel.
"YOu see l state that l was not poll
tician and was not intending to enter
politics.
''The promise that would not pursue
course politically obnoxious meant only
to convey the idea that while Judge /
would not take an active stand as a poll
tician. | still think if ON the bench /
would not take such active part in poll
tics as to be Objectionable on that account
to any part of the people whose affairs /
had to pass upon."
"Did you support Bullock for Cover
nor?''
''No; was for Gordon, and was at the
polls every day during the election work
ing for his success and that of the entire
Democratic ticket. Ny references to Re-
publicans were made because they only
had the ear of the Governor and while
differing from me in politics. hoped they
would so commend my character and
capacity as to influence the Governor in
my favor"
THE THREATENED PUBLICATION,
"The friends Of Major Bacon" oontin-
ued Governor BOynton, 'Eor at least some
of them, have informed me that they have
copies Of these letters and threaten to
publish them. / now give you these orig
inals. You may copy them and publish
them, and | have not the slightest hesita-
tiOn in so doing, nor do L fear the RESULT
HIS SERVICE IN THE FREEDMEN's BU-
REAU.
Constitution, 25th.
Al f. 4.
81 was prepared for the accustomed
violence and abuse of certain friends of
Mr.. Bacon. They have steadily de-
nounced every gentleman who happens
TO be in their way. [ am not afraid of
the verdict the fair minded public of Geor-
gia will render between me and them,
'The last charge they bring against me
is, that / accepted a position in the Freed
mems Bureau just after the war, | never
did anything l was prouder OF than that
very thing, and never did my people a
greater service. The facts are these: The
bureau at Griffin was in the hands of a
bad and designing man. He made his
office an engine of great oppression
and danger. The people we're geri-
ously alarmed, and there was bad blood
between the races. At length something
had to be done. A public meeting was
called, and it was the largest meeting
1 ever saw in Griffin, the late Judge Gin
cinnatus Peoples ! remember taking
prominent part in the proceedings of the
meeting, which was attended by the most
prominent and very best people of the city
and county, | was unanimously request-
ed by that meeting TO take the place and
administer in the interest of peace rather
than violence. Although the call was
then unanimous, ! reluctantly consented
to I'LL the place, and believe that in SO
doing ayerted much trouble and con-
fusion in the community, Should
their call, as made under the
! have recounted. be
repeated, ! would again, with less hes.
itation than then had, enter a service as
humble and distasteful as was the service
to which they called me In 1867, / did
my duty then, and am proud of it now.
Let my enemies make the most of it. Now,
through no choice of my own, | stand in
the way OF small but violent clique of
politicians, and am thus assailed by them,
stand on my record. In peace and in
war, have served my State and my peo-
pie with honesty and devotion. The peo-
pie among whom ! have lived, my own
people, who know my motives and ver--L
heart, and who have watche5. NY Iif2
have sneyer failed ms and thew Wy never a,e1
will. And / have ills further er
to say; Since then have
been three times elected Mayor
q Gritiln, and have also been a member
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