New-York tribune., 1868-12-21
PRICE FOUR CENTS.

list did not affect the receipts from each OF the several
districts IN the country Reside this the prevalence o.
trcts while led 70 increased production IN districts
such Instances the honest and capable officer.
the less would he collect; the less honest ana eHce,
the greater his receipts with greater damage to the
@ What in your opinion is the chief obstacle to tho
the full collection of the revenue lies in tho
character of the local officers. it Is In tho
assistants as the law allows to enforce tho require
mens OF the law. These officers should nave the Iuli
possess alike integrity and ability Their subOrdinates
should be men of like character Wherever collection
and the service be disgraced. Tax payers
in other districts, competing with those paying
business, 10 the commission Of fraud. Tho Comms
soner should have more than seeming power This ne
once had and exercised until the time OF the convention
referred to- He should have the control of his subord
mates ann the support Of his superior officers III he is 20
have responsibility he should have powers and priVi-
@ What power have you over the appointment and re-
moyal OF offcersi A: The only power over appoint
ments have that of recommending persons Tor tne
with reerencep to other ocors than though were
clerk In the department. The right OF recommending
have believed since 1865 that my recommendation
for the removal Of assessors and collectors was OF much
lary, at the date OF my resignation on the Sh OF June
last Prior to the date OF the convention referred TO-
In one single instance. was approved by both tho
Secretary and the President found, too, that
In the OF the Senate, between the th OF july
1867, and juno 1863 recommended the removal OF "A
Assessors and Collectors OF these only had been
moved, had been suspended two had resigned, and
others still In the service. After that time
before tho adjournment OF the Senate, several changes
were made In this number and several additional recon-
mendatiOns wsre made by me. Among those still re-
naming is an through whose gross neglect
inefciency an assessment OF $4,000 or $4,000 Is likely
10 be almost vaiueless; another, an officer who
has long been in the habit or retaining
large sums Of public moneys IN his own pOssessoD Is
believed for private another who has been absent
from his district neglect Of his duties great
tiOn OF his time. and is Indebted 70 the Government
more than explained 70 be through the defaca'
ton OF subordinate appointed by hmself whe In sew.
eral districts the number Of dstieres and corrupt
dstiatiOn OF spirits have so largely Increased tbas
not this office alone, but public opinion almost whou.
dissent, have pronounced their officers unworthy, ana
demand q change. Several Of those recommended for
removal thoroughly ignorant Of the law and OF their
duty, and totally incapable OF learning them Nhere
officers aud taxpayers IN cOluslon they are equay
guilty and equally interested in Withholding BnoWeu9o
OF its existence from officers OF the law IL is very d
cult therefore, TO legal evidence against corrupt
officers have believed that heathful admins
raon should require its production to secure changes IN
Office Common beief-certainly, moral eVdehce-snoulu
be sufficient
O. Are there assessors and collectors in service whom
you would have removed had it been practicable oryou
to do So in addition those you have recommended fer
such removals A. There very many OF them. -
q. What were the receipts from the tax ON Distilled
spirits July, August, September, and October OF ths
present fiscal year. 50 cents gaan compared WIN
those OF the corresponding time last year. at 2 per gal
loni A.