New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-06-23
INTERNAL RETENUE.

The Presidents first duty now is to find
good Commissioner OF Internal Revenue. Mr..
Rollins resigned because the recommendations
which he felt it his duty to urge in order to
secure an honest collection of the Government
tax were disregardcl. If Mr. Johnson wishes
TO convince the country that in opposing Mr..
Rollins lac was actuated only by high public
consderations-if he wishes TO prove that the
enforcement of the Revenue laws is as dear to
him as it is to all honest men throughout the
United States-he has now an opportunity to
do so. That there is powerful "ring" OF
whislky-dstilers who are ready to spend any
amount of money and to buy any sort of ex-
pensive influence to control the appointment
of the now Commissioner nobody doubts.
Manufacturers with whom it Is an even
chance whether they retire in the course OF
year or two to the enjoyment OF magnificent
fortune or to dishOnOrable bankruptcy, asses
sors and collectors, the balance OF whose fate
trembles between a house on the Fiith-ave. ana
a cell in the State Prison, have everything at
stake in this appointment; and pressure VIII
be brought to bear upon both the President ana
the Senate which it will need all their fortltude
to withstand. Crime has never been so thor
oughly organized in the United States as by
this infamous rabble of distillers. The adj
ministration which achieves a victory over
them will do much to redeem itself i'll the eyes
of the people from the odium of all its pre-
vious Oficnses.
Mr. Johnson, of course, cannot know the
character of every candidate for the place. lie
has, perhaps, fewer opportunities for Judging
men than any one else in the country, for he
lives in an atmosphere of lies. We beg HIM,
therefore, to put no one IN this important
and responsible position who is not man OF
national reputation, of unimpcachable honesty,
of exnerience in public affairs, and of signal
executive ability. Millions OF the public money
Jopend upon the faithful execution of the du-
ties of this oilice-nay, with its trusty admins
trat0n are bound up the purity and efficiency
of our whole revenue system. 10 Dest0W
it upon Brown, or Jones, or Robinson, merely
because he has served "the party" in time past,
or can serve it in time to come, will be crime.
We must have somebody whom we can all
trust. whom the thieves will fear whom no
bribe can tempt, no threat of political ruin
can intimdatc In the performance of
this duty the ablcst of our civilians or
military men might find an honorable employ
ment No soldier, however illustnOus, no
statesman however eminent, ought to hesitate
To accept an Office which may bring millions
either into the public Golfers or into the purses
of the public thieves and if there is any man
so conspicuous both for ability and upright
ness that there can be no question of his fit
ness for the post, Mr.. Johnson owes 1t quite "a
much to his own reputation as TO the good OF
the county to nominate him forthwith. Such
a man. We believe, can be found in Major-Gen
Phil. Sheridan. lie has shown all the rcqui-
site flmncss, fcarlcssneSs, sagacity and eXecu-
tive skill The whole country would have con
fdence in his integrity. The whisky ring would
trcmble and dissolve before him Let him be
placed, at least temporarily IN charge OF tins
revenue bureau. and we warrant there shall be
a change in affairs which will cause former
collectors to blush and the country To rejoice.
This is matter with which politics ought to
TO have no concern want simply shrewd
bold, faithful executive officer and there is not
better executive in the country than Philip
II. Sheridan.