The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-22

The COLLBCToRsHIP OF THE FIRST INTERNAL
REVENUE DIsTRICT-A SPECIAL AGENT FROM
WASHINGTON IN CHARGE-THE MIDDLE Be
COMING MORE MUDDLED THAN EvER.-In The
EVENING TELEGRAPH Of Tuesday last we gave
the position of affairs at that time in the office
of the Internal Revenue Collector of the First
District. Mr.. George Kelly, the acting Col
lector, was then in Washington, doing his
utmost TO get himself relieved from all further
responsibility in the matter Mr.. Sloanaker
had likewise forsaken his comfortable private
office on the second floor of the building. and
at every moment 1t was expected that special
agent would arrive from Washington, and
assume control of the establishment.
Mr.. Kelly appears to have accomplished the
object he had in view in visiting Washington,
for be returned to this city and stated to his
friends that his resignation had been accepted.
He then forsook the neighborhood of Third and
Evelina street, and we doubt very much II he
can ever be persuaded to venture into that 10
CRlity again.
With regard to the movements of the strate-
gic Sloanaker we are not so well posted in
detail. Mr.. Sloanaker's movements of late
have been invested with an immense amount
of mystery. This much, however, seems clear
Instead of retiring to some secluded spot
where he could indulge his passion for the
manufacture of wax flowers without molesta-
tion he proceeded TO Washington straight on
there is not known. but the aspect OF affairs at
present forces us to the belief that he wac by no
means idle and ne Is appaTentiy wei satls1ied
the best of spirits.
missioner Rollins, addressed TO Mr.. Kelly, in
quring the name of the latter's chief duputy.
This despatch was shown Mr.. Kelly, but that
gentleman refused to have anything to do with
II, or to answer it, on the ground that his resig-
nation had been accepted and himself relieved
from all connection with the troublesome
business
This morning affairs took a new turn, occa
stoned by the arrival of a gentleman from
Washington answering to the name of William
Richards. Mr.. Richards repaired to the office
and informed the gentlemen on duty there that
assume control of the stablishment.
He had been in the Office but few minutes
they sauntered out and assembled to the sane
tum of the latter on the second floor. After con-
ferring together for some time the twain sailed
forth in quest of the Hon. William F. Johnston,
ex Governor, ex-COllector OF Customs ex-
The probable object of this expedition was the
instalment of Mr.. Johnston as Acting Col
lector, for it appears that Mr.. Johnston still
claims that he is entitled to the exercise of such
functions, on the ground that he never re-
celved Mr.. Kelly's revocation of his commits
The revocation, however was duly prepared
and entered on the records of the Office, and
then by Mr.. Kelly placed in the hands of Mr.
Sloanaker, with a request that it might by him
be given to Mr.. Johnston, whose whereabouts
at the time were quite unknown to Mr.. Kelly.
Mr.. Sloanaker refused to act as Mr.. Kelly's
messenger; but the latter insisted upon his so
doing, and as a consequence the EX.Goyernor
is enabted to claim that he is still officially
ignorant of his removal.
About IL o'clock Messrs. Richards and Sloan
aker returned, and entered the Office, observ-
ing, however the most perplexing silence with
regard to their mornings operations. Soon
aft lerWards gentleman who recently filled the
Naval Office for q brief but brilliant period,
emerged from the building.
tan it be that he, too, has become involved in
the muddle? 1t is the opinion of another gen.
tleman, whose official relations at Washington
give some weight to his surmises. that Mr..
Richards will control the Office until perma-
nent Collector is confirmed; and that strong
effort will be made to settle the whole matter
by securing the favorable action of the Senate
on the nomination of Mr. Alexander Crawford,
which is now pending in that body.
Meanwhile there is another claimant to the
vacant honoTs' When Mr.. Kelly was first in
stalled he commissioned several deputies
among whom was MIR. Wilson Buckby. The
commissions of all these deputies, except the
last named, were revoked previous to the ap-
pointment last Friday Of Ex-Governor
Johnston.S Mr.. Buckby, therefore, and not
without reason, claims that he becomes
acting Collector, in case the claims of Mr. john
ston are not allowed. Thus the matter stands
as we go to press, and If any one can make 1t
out'he must be endowed with more than an
ordinary amount Of penetration.