Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-16
THE BULLOCK REIGN.
How the Republican Governor Bought
the silence of Certain Papers.

How the Republican Governor Bought
the silence of Certain Papers.
Atlantc Ca COR. Athens Banner Ratchyndn.
was in the State House few days
since, glancing over the official records
during the Bullock reign, and devoted
especial attention so the portion wherein
is recorded the publication of the Cover
nor's proclamatlons. This was one OF the
biggest little steals practiced upon the
taxpayers OF Georgia during that thleV-
ing administration. Bullock wanted TO
silence the press of Georgia as
much as possible to the high-handed
game be was playing, and to this end
brl0ed all the state papers possible by
giving them his proclamations TO publish.
He would issue columns OF these procla-
nations every day, on all conceivable
subjects; and the journals that would put
in an occasional good WORD for his admin
istration, or even remain silent, were au-
thorized to reproduce them. They paid 81
an inch for the first insertion and 70 cents
for each additional appearance. The pa
papers were not limited as to space, that
WIS left sOlely with the conscience of the
proprietor-and you may judge that a man
who would sell his silence for
money while his State was being so
conscience in his vocabulary. The con-
sequence was that these venal organs
had regular picnic, and theysthus made
| and collected hundreds of dollars every
week from the State. The most insignia
cant country sheet would fll columns
with these prOclamatiOns. But some OF
the papers were even not satisfied with
the latitude given them as to space,
so current report says, but would
! 10, Lon a..Tn kfon, ks
| first insertion, so as to show up as
many inches as possible, and then draw
out the leads and insert it solid, charging,
however, tor the original space. Why,
"A man who would thus rob the State
would unhesitatingly burglarize your
store or pick your pocket we're it not for
the fear Of the law. In conserving to re-
main silent while his State and people
were being ruthlessly robbed, and thus
secretly giving his Endorsement to Bull
lock and his party, such journalist
| placed himself in even more cOntempti-
bic attitude than the gang of thieves
then ruling Georgia. | would have had
far more respect for such a man had he
come out boldly in support of the Repub-
lican party. And, Mr.. Editor, it would
/ surprise you, too, to see list OF these
papers, many of them still in existence
and claiming to be staunch Democratic
journals. Democratic indeed! mere is
no confidence TO be placed in such men,
and, if it is ever to their interest, they
would sell their principles and their
| honor again, as they did then. In some
future letter | will copy of the names of
certain editors and papers who sold out
TO Bullock for his proclamations, as also
the amount they received. Now, don't
mean to say that every paper in Georgia
that published those prOclamatiOns were
bought into silence, for such is not the
case. Some journals the Governor could
not corrupt. They would, of course, do
all the work he ordered, but never failed
to show up the infamy of his administra-
ton. These are the papers that were
the Nemesis that exposed and followed
up the thieving crew that ruled and
robbed our State, and finally drove them
into exile. All honor to such true and
valiant defenders. But what can we say
in this day of those miserable journals
that deserted their principles, party and
people, and sold their silence to the enemy
for money? They should be known and
marked, and let the back OF the hand OF
every Democrat and honest man be eter.
nally turned 10 them.