The Atlanta constitution., 1896-09-14
GENERAL RLlGER IN GEORGIA

GENERAL RJIJER IN OEOROiA
General Thomas II. Ruger. who mas
shown Iii Hung Chang SO many piedS.in.
official attentions during the latter ViSi'
To New York. at one time soVer'oi
of Georgia!
His name will not be found in any PRINT
cd list of our governors. ana yet 80
fact that he once occupied the eAcO.t
office at Miledgeville for seVeral h'o'''''
For the benefit OF the younger genera
ton of readers, to say nothing OF the oluer ,,
men who have forgotten our historS' "ii
now tell briefly the story of this soverhoi'
who has not yet found his rlShtlul pi''Oo
in our annals. -,
After our reconstruction conVeh'ioh "u
completed its labors. General Meaoe. 'nen
commanding this military uls'i,O|
quested Governor Charles j. Jenkins 10
draw n warrant on Treasurer Jack Johes
for $40 to pay the expenses OF lho A'-
of the new constitution. -
This was in January, 1865. Governor
Jenkins replied promptly, saying tl'd, a..
careful consideration he respecuu"S w"
clined to comply with the request as II
would be violation of both lhe S'"'o ''""
federal constitutions.
Within three days time General Meade
notified the governor that ne leiI III uuS
bound to remove him from Once as ms
refusal to issue the warrant W"S d"
struction OF the reconstruction laws. ne
general then ISSUED the ioiloWlh6 u~iu ~
.'Headouarters Third Military DiS,rlct'
DeDartment of Georgia Alabama anu lol
ida, Atlanta, Ga, January 10 4eOo'Oe'iO'''i 81
Order No. s: .,.,,,,,, ,,o,,-
ernor, and John Jones, provisional IIV3sul
or of the state OF Georgia, having 9eTlincdi i
to respect the instructions o. anu ianru ~
to cooperate with the major senca a. 80 10
manding the Third military district, are
hereby removed from office ..,.o., ~,
''2. by virtue of the authority srailteu ~
the supplementary Reconstruction act VI
congress- passed July 10, 1861, the iolloWlls
officers are detailed for duty IN the 9lstrIci,
of Georgia: Brevet BrigaIier ,,9,.i - az
Thomas H. Ruger, colonel 1hirty-thilu III
fantrv. to he governor of the state OF
Georgia; Rrevet Charles +. Rockwell ordi-
treasurer of the state of Georgia. 80
80 The above named officers VIII pro-
coed without delay to MlledgeVllle' I'd,
and enter upon the dicharge OF the dulles
devolving upon mem. subject TO lhStruc--
tions from these headquarters. by order of
GENERAL MEADE,
"R T.. Drum. Asst Adi't General.
George r. Sandcrson, Capt. ana ACT
ASST Adjt General.
General Rugcr was at that time compar-
atively.a young man. He was a West lolnt-
er a brave soldier and a gentleman. Ills
instructions were distastefuI to him. but
he was obliged to obey them.
At Milledgeville the general visited the
executive Office, where he found Governor
jenkins The governor was n statesman
Of the old school: an aristocrat of impos-
ing dignity. a man of Roman courage ana
integrity. lie was always stately and for
NAL and his nobility of character caused
both friends and foes to respect him.
The young soldier felt that he was at n
disadvantage when he met this veteran
diplomat and constitutional lawyer, but
he tried to discharge his mission as cour-
tcously as possible. After some preliminary
talk. lie came to the point, and presented
the order from General Meade.
As he expected. the governor quietly de-
clined to vacate his office.
Il regret to say remarked Ruger. that
II now becomes my painful duty to take
possession of the office and exercise its
functions"
Arc YOU authorized to forcibly eject
mey' asked the governor sterniy.
Il am sorry to say that those are my
Instructions" was the answer
ITO the extent of Offering me a personal
indisnily?'
unfortunately. yes. but 1 trust that you
will not make it necessary" ."
Governor Jenkins then informed his vs-
itor that he would retire, and leave him
10 act as military governor under his com
iaission. The two parted with mutuai pro-
fcssions of personal esteem never to meet
again.
Governor jenkins carried about 100000
Cf the states money to New York, where
ne deposited i 10 pay - G pubic deh-. lie
also carried the great seal OF the state
with hi,n ani returned it after the demo-
Gratis had regaincd control of affairs.
il was a trying ordeal but the governor
aud Treasurer Jones made the best of II.
amt their conduct was heartily indorsed
by their people.
General Ruger made a very conservative
governor. lie obeyed orders, ana glad
enough when the newly elected governor,
Bullock succeeded him The general re-
turned 10 his military duties and his abl
ities steadily advanced him.
Hundreds of cur citizens still remember
this modest soldier md gentleman. lie Lett
us, he came. with stainless record, and
IL is safe to say that Lii Hung Chang has
met no American official who has inn
pressed him more fuVorablN.
This ex-governor OF Georgia deserves a
place in our history. lie ruled Us against
his viii. hut he was always our friend.
WALLACE =. REED.