New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-08-06
THE INTERNAL REVENUE COMMISSIONER


Ueisaman of the highest integrity and simplicity of
character and If he properly supported by ms
uperors the President and the Secretary OF the Treas
ury his administration Of the Bureau would be something
TO give the country pride and honor hear said occa
sonay, that he does not display great executive capa
city Those who are in position to sec the whole hed
that lie has had no opportunity to show his
re WORTH for the last two years he has been In con-
test where he could use but one hand-indeed, good
deal OF the time both hands have been tied His cause
should be the cause of every man VINO Wshes 10 see
a faithful collection OF the revenue.
Mr. Rollins Is entirely sincere in saying that he wishes
to get ont Of the office. He h for one thing worn down
with labor having long been, by all ODDS the hardest
worked official in Washington. He is prematurely old
and understands as well his friends do that his pros
meet for future usefulness in any business mperayey
demands that he be soon freed from his present harass
ing duties For another thing-and venture TO say TINS
with hesancy-the condition Of his family requires that
he should have time at his own disposal Ihe
death last Winter Of his oldest child, unusually In
tegent and promising daughter OF II or - years, SAD
blow 20 him. much than this to his wife, In that
il seriously affects her health The best OF husbands and
the kndest Of fathers those who most need his care aud
comfort see very little OF him because his time is so
taken up with official occupations Without speaking
further on this head add that every family and per-
sonal consideration ne well enough realizes, neeessl
tates his release from office hours and office labors
That the President hostile I'm the highest degree to
Mr. Rollins is, / presume, understood by everybody
The Commissioner does not think 1t necessary to tax
overmuch about politics. but he is Republican who has
never aered or compromised and who would not barter
or conceal his political convictions for any position or
emolunent That the Secretary Of the Treasury gives
him little support not judge well understood The
personal relations between the two gentlemen are De-
lieye friendly Mr.. McCulloch would, think, like TO
sustain the Commissioner in his efforts to administer the
revenue laws butwe he IS extremely anxious to keep
his secretayship. His desire in this regard may be
laudableOf that say nothing at present. but IL sady
nterferes with the collection Of the revenue wofuy in
ereres with the duty he to his subordinate II
leads him to treat coldly the recommendations that
Rollins makes for removals Of collectors and
assessors; leads him TO refrain from protesting
against the advice inmical to Rollins gwen by pad
men to the President leads him to the appointment
OF such Buckley to the SOlctorsp OF Internal
Revenue; leads him 10 the saddling upon Rollins OF
horde OF corrupt politicians revenue agents. leads Nun
TO silent acquiescence the Presidents pardon Of con-
vcted revenue swnders leads him into direct connv
ance with scmLonlcial insnuatons against Rollins as
base as they are groundless leads him TO act heavy
drag when he should be positive and ygilant support
do not willingly make this charge against the courteous
Secretary but 1t ia time tell the truth; and the truth
Is that he more than any other man except the Pres
dent Is responsible for the present depioraOe condition
Of through his voluntary
acts OF omission and his total failure TO sustain the Com
missioner in an honest and vigorous enforcement OF the
laws.
Mr. Rollins wanted TO leave the Office last Fall re-
member learning that he had even written his letter OF
resignation The indspositiOn OF the President 70 ap-
point proper man as his successor. was, however, 80
apparent that he persuaded, by personal and p0
cal friends to forego his purpose and continue in dis
/ a. NJ mud
other members OF the Ways and Means Committee In
Congress know something about this matter On another
| occasion when was in Washington, some time In the
Spring, learned that Rollins had once more expressed
strong desire TO quit aud believe some inquiry was
made 70 appointment. Tho friends OF the
revenue service satisfied themselves that there was st
nothing to hope for the President many Of them
protested In decided against the step Rollins had
in view, and he was again induced to rolinquish his
purpose 10 withdraw The considerations which finally
led him, I'm opposition 10 the wish Of nearly II not
quite all with whom he consulted, TO tender his resg-
nation, six eight weeks ago. were both Official
aud personal Weary with four five years OF arduous
service broken in his family relations depressed by tho
death Of his child and the illness OF his wife, seorned by
President who wishes TO prostitute the revenue service
TO his own selfish ends treated with official contempt by
Secretary who sacrifices his independence TO his desire
for place harassed by the camors OF interruptions poll
tlcans who traffic upon their influenced with bad Chief
Magistrate shamed by the corruption among suborii'
mates in whose appointment he had voice. and over
whose action he has control without to correct
the thousand abuses that other man in the country
clearly he does, he felt that he had sacrificed
enough in every way and could be allowed TO retire
He wanted 10 leave at once but deferred 10 the judgment
Of public men in whom all have confidence, and made
his resignation conditional upon the confirmation by the
Senate OF his successor.
The Secretary of the Treasury oughto have presented
gha tot
good man. II did not require that he should be Repub-
lican-the Senate would have confirmed honest and
capable nominee without asking after his political Views.
The Secretary did nothing OF the sort lie had smlngy
acquesced In the selection Of Wisewel whom the Senate
all but unanimously rejected; and he now smilingly
acquesced in the selection Of Perry Fuller whose NOM
inaton the Senate much inclined TO trent as wan
ton insult Itself The Secretary thinks it necessary for
the public good that he should remain in the Treasury
Department; he knows well enough, unoniciay. that
the President would snap at chance to accept his resg
nation he will not retire TIL he Is invited 10 do by
Mr.. johnson himself he is ptfuly AFFECT in his caution
to avoid giving offense he hasn't manhood enough 10
advise the President properly and abide by the
quences; and he is silent and smilingly acquesces
III the selection, next, OF that Presidential
tool and gobetween, Edmund Cooper. I hear
that Mr. Evarts and Mr.. Seward went 10 Mr. johnson
and advised the appointment Of who could at
command the vote OF the Senate and the confidence OF
the country but Mr. McCuloch, as am told by mem
Der OF Mr. Shermans Committee declined TO advise with
his Cmefpleadiug that the Prosidentimight not receive
his advice in friendly spirit The name Of Cummings
was sent Senate He Is OF parts, believe
but is politician with crooked record, against whom
am informed by Senator is pending an Indictment
for defraudng the Government while Governor Of Colo
RADIO.
The President has abated nothing Of his desire to get
Rollins out and the Commissioner is more than ever an1
ious TO retire TO private life. Other officials can take
vacaon-he cannot except by negectng his duties for,
aside from the current abors Of the Office here the new
whisky and tobacco law TO be set in operation. But he
has put in charge Of great trusts by the Senate;
that body has gone from Washington and left him TO do
what he could prevent the enemy from stil further
the revenne service and as he said 10