The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-12-01
CLERK BULLOCK.
Note OF Some of the Things which
are Being Said of Him.

| Various exaggerated stories and many Wild
cai Conduct sofPce of Co.. W. R. Buloek @ Clerk Of
the Court.
The facts connected with this unfortunate
affair, concern Public officer and as sasu such
nearly as we can get them.
Mr.. Bullock appeared on the political scene
with the advent OF the Reform movement.
employer, emf MIR. T. L. Moore, as Clerk Of the
Court in 1892. In 1896 lie was reelected to the
office by fattering vote over two popular
competitors.
Exaggerated reports as to the pension money
originated. and the report went abroad that
he was several hundred dollars short on this
account.
This being talked about another rumor
quickly went abroad to the effect that he was
short with the money that came into his
hands as Clerk of the Court.
About this time he sold some witness tick
cts.
Some of these tickets were presented to
Treasurer Blake for payment, and he after
ward referred the matter to Supervisor John
Lyon.
A question as to their validity arose.
Although the seal and the signature of the
Clerk we're undoubted. Supervisor Lyon did
not think the name of Judge Buchanan was
and so he notified the Treasurer that he could
not, until the doubt was removed, give him q
check for the witness tickets.
sor FL. Lyon sent Sc Is several tickets to adge Buch.
anan asking If the signatures were genuine.
The Judge replied that one was genuine. and
that the others were not In his handwriting.
Mr.. Jones Miller, the foreman Of the grand
jury, will turn over the papers and such evil
deDce as he may have, TO his successors In Of
fee.
sign the Judges name TO these tickets.
The amount involved is presumed to he
small and 1t Ia said that for some or the tick
els the parties named will make affidavit
th hof hnu hn
One Of the reports In circulation against
Clerk Bullock is to the effect that he has not
complied with the law which requires him
Within n tep days % after Su adiournment Of Court
showing an itemized account of the witnesses
and jurors, and other court costs.
However Mr.. Bullock may fare, the
amount is known to be Involved. Having
given ample security for the faithful perfor-
nance OF his official trusts Mr.. Bullocks
bondsmen will cheerfully stand between him
Mr. Bullock has employed Messrs. Graydon
& Graydon to conduct his defense, and we
believe that they regard the matter Of small
consequence, except that he has been placed
in position to be the subject Of unkind re-
marks.
Under the circumstances too much cannot
saa of aon aSb
Vile never had truer or better officers. They
discharge every duty faithfully, conscien-
tiously and intelligentIy. Their record is an
honor to the proud history OF a county which
has stood so fair for hundred years. and we
trust that Mr.. Bullock will at the proper time
be able TO make 1t appear that he has not
and his courtesy as Assistant Clerk for Clerk
T. L. Moore made him many friends, and
when he espoused the cause OF Tillman he
went into office triumphantly against all op
position.
While there can be no doubt that there is
some ground for at least part Of the talk
about him, yet there can be no doubt that Mr..
Bullock.has not acted half as badly as the re-
ports would have hi m to have done.
His irritating and unguarded speech, has
perhaps something to do with an existing
entiment which may savor too much OF
persecution.
Clerk BulIock's Statement.
In answer to all the matters pertaining to
the above official matters, Clerk Bullock
makes the following statement:
Editor Press and Banner:
In justice to both myself and the people Of
Abbeville County, / wish. through the col
umns of your paper, to vindicate myself as to
made against me as an officer.
First l will take up the pension matter.
After receiving the pension fund for this
county from the executive department, I
were wrong. I could not pay pension to
one penson when the roll said 1t belonged to
another.
I Immediately set to work to regulate the
vinddicate my actions.
The following, are copies Of letters which
received from Miss Maher, Pension Clerk,
which hold In my possession.
Executive Department,
Columbia, s. c., Nov. lS, 1897.
w. R. Bullock, ESQ.,. Abbeville, 8. c.:
Dear sirmPleass change Mrs: .Sy Mary Calhoun q
son, and oblige Respectfully.
CSigned) Kate F. Maher,
No.2. W. r. Bullock, ESQ,
Clerk Court, Abbeville, 8. c.:
Dear Sir.Please pay the money that Is sent
for J. W. McCurry, whose name occurs twice
in Glass "B," to s. A. McCurry, as the mistake
occurred that way. Respectfully,
(Signed) Kate F. Maher,
Pension Clerk.
Nos. w.R. Bullock, ESQ, AbbevilIe, 8. G.. {:
Dear Strive find that the County Board
made mistake in classing E. ]. Belot in "B, !"
as she Is widow. Please TRANSFER her name
9 No and reuod US the bsa@ee q the
find that any OF the pensioners are dead
whose name appear on roll, will you kindly
return same as soon as found out.
Respectfully, Kate F: Maher,
Pension Clerk.
Now that these Irregularities have been
Strengthened, am ready for the pensioners
all of whom have been paid except one, and
when he calls he can get his money.
AS to any descrepency In my Office regard
Ing fines, etc., will say that my books are
open for inspection. 1 hold receipts from Mr..
]. r. Blake, Jr., Treasurer, as Is shown By his
book also.
AS regards the Court certificates, which in
wolves less than Si2, have seen two OF the
witnes who certify on oath that they have
received their pay. AS soon as sufficient data
has been secured I will notify the paper.
Respectfully, w. R. Bullock,
Clerk Court,