Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-05-12
Walter B. Hill Explains
The Letter Quoted
In S. c. Tapp's
Card.

Chancellor Walter B. Hill, Of the Uni-
versity of Georgia. states that the
publication OF the letter of NJ. w. Dunn.
of McDuffie county, which was sent TO
him by mistake. and which was also pub
lished Friday afternoon in The Journal
by S. c. Tapp, Guerry's campaign mana
ger, was done without his authority or
consent. In fact, the whole thing is an
accident, according to Chancellor Hill.
Mr.. Hill arrived in Atlanta Friday night
from Stone Mountain, where he delivered
lecture. When seen by Journal report
er regarding the publication of the letter
by Mr.. Tapp Mr.. Hill said:
The transmission to the Guerry cam
paign committee of a letter which was
forwarded to me from Atlanta to Athens.
and which, as now appears. was intended
for Hon. Warner Hill was an accidental
error, for which 1 am not responsible;
and the publication of the letter was
without my authorization or consent
The simple facts are these:
"Mr. Dunns letter reached Athens dur
ing the recent educational conference,
April 24th 10 26th. was too busy TO give
attention TO correspondence on those days
and on Monday. the 26th, the arrears OF
the mail were to be written up. It is the
custom in my Office for the young man
who acts as my secretary and stenogra-
pher to open all my letters except those
marked personal and to read them off TO
me; and frequently when there is pressure
for time he merely states the substance
and / merely indicate without dictaung)
the reply.
When ne first opened this letter he
concluded, as he tells me that the writer
had addressed 1t to me on the erroneous
Idea that had some connection with Mr..
Guerry's headquarters in Atlanta and that
the letter had been written in Mr.. Guer-
rvs interest. When he reached this let
ter among others on Monday when took
up my mail, am not sure whether he
read in full or not; my impression IS that
ne merely stated the substance: but do
recall distinctly. as he also does, that in
referring to the last sentence where it Is
said that McDufle county is conceded to
Query, but might be changed. he re-
marked that the writer evidently used Mr..
Guerry's name when he meant Mr. Ter
rell. have never seen the letter. My sec
rotary had IL in his hand and I supposed
that he had correctly interpreted II to me.
I accepted his statement. I merely said,
"Then forward it to Mr.. Tapp, Mr.. Guer-
rvs campaign manager" and dismissed
the whole subject from my mind. 1t did
not engage my attention except for q mo-
ment. Ny stenographer tells me that Ire
did not know that Mr.. Warner Hill was
the campaign manager of Mr.. Terrell and
that the idea of any confusion of any
him. It certainly did not occur to me,
not even in the remotest or faintest sug-
eRecentiy Mr.. Tapp wrote me for my
consent 20 publish Mr.. Dunn's letter. I
replied that could give him no authors
ty to publish it as IL had evidently been
sent to me in error Ohaving In mind only
my previous Interpretation of the letter
and the error Of the writer in confusing
me with Mr.. Guerry's headquarters In At
lanta) and suggested that before using il
ne get the consent Of the writer. OF
course, there is nothing going to show
that Mr.. Tapp was aware of the miscon-
struction the letter put in my Office.
mo one in Georgia who know me viii
believe that am capable of the business
Of having sent to Mr.. Tapp a letter which
1 knew or supposed to be intended for Mr..
Warner Hin.
MY present position as chancellor OF the
University of Georgia does not deprive me
Of my right as a private citizen. but rec
ognize that Il cuts me off from political
activities Ny head and heart are full OF
the interests of education and Of the young
men Of the state. The accidental error in
regard to this letter might perhaps not
have occurred, but for my intense absorp1
ton in the recent educational conferences
and the great pressure put on me by the
accumulation of the current correspond
ence which had to be put aside on ac-
count of it."
Mr.. Hill further said that his steno-
grapher is very green on the political sit
uation in Georgia. and knew nothing Of
Hon. H. w. Hill. The chancellor says
he regrets the incident very much.