The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-21


TO THE EDITOR OF THE HEgALD:-
have always noticed with satisfaction the enerrv
displayed through the columns OF your journal in
urging upon the government the necessity OF break
ing up the so-saled vhskey ring ana In bringing to
justice those engaged IN frauds upon the national
Treasury. This repeated attempts which have ap-
parently been made to discover the nodus operandl
by which a whiskey fraud OF more than 500, 600
per annum mas been practised far as arriving at
facts and finding guilty parties are concerned, have
resulted In little good; but the publicity which
the press gives to the proceedings or such nvestiga
lions is quietly working out good and great result.
The truth Is being made known and the people are
learning that the head and 'front.' OF the offence rests
win government oficalls and not with dstilers and
rectners.
the whiskey ring is the most dangerous organiza-
ton IN the land and its demoralizng influences ara
more or less felt by all government officers and In
all branches OF trade and commerce and in the re-
tired walks OF life. 1t is naugurating system or
fraud to be practised in every department OF the
public service; ana while 1t accumulates millions for
the unfaithftl it trampes upon and often ruins the
reputation Of those who would be honest Its ten
denotes are to bring financial ruin on the country
and 10 undermine the government. 1t governs pO-
ltical factions and elects men to Congress- The
Secretary OF the Treasury and the Commissioner OF
internal Revenue are made the principal tools with
which 1t mysterousy operates while an army Of
revenue officers throughout the land under its
control. II Is composed OF Members OF Congress.
officers IN every branch Of the Internal Revenue De-
partment lawyers in private practice and holding
official positions, disters, politicians and criminals
OF all grades while capitalists venture their money
III Its immense speculations.
This powerful and curious combination OF wealth,
ability talent and vlany Is such as to often uncon
scousy influence members OF the Cabinet In its be-
greSs was one OF It's most successful business trans
actions. The President attempts arrest it's fear
ial progress by giving Il his individual attention.
n q nj
principal subject before the Cabinet.
Congress spends much time in debating over its
evils and devises plans to prevent them. To dis
| cover its frauds the Metropolitan Revenue Board.
composed OF Deputy Commissioner OF Internal
revenue three United States District Attorneys,
| assistant United states Treasurer and numerous
special agents and inspectors established in New
YORK Dy the secretary OF the Treasury approved
by Congress; but 1t resulted In deplorabe failure
and after q time was abolished. And thus 1t will be
attempting to strike the ring its first paralyzing
blows but on the contrary has constantly been gain
My experience as d late revenue oficer, on duty in
the cities OF New York and Brooklyn. has taught me
| to believe that all which state in this communca-
ton Is true. That the whlskey ring is governed and
| controlled by government officials. | am well
| sured. The regular dlstiers, rectifers and whole
sale dealers OF New York are for the most part sub
| stantia business men with honorable Intentions,
ana would much rather, under the administration Of
honest and competent officials, pay the government
the tax on their goods and be permitted to their
dstilleries the year round than TO be compelled to
submit 10 the orders and cXtortions Of lncOmpetent
| and dishonest officials.
The price of whiskey has been kept down by the
acts OF the officials and very oten) If dister run
his establishment he either paid the tax to the gov
| eminent at loss TO himself or government officials
were treated as silent partners In the firm, drawing,
perhaps, the largest share OF the PROFITS The argu-
| ment 10, that with honest and competent officials
| the disters will be honest themselves, and, their
distillereS being permitted TO operate the entire
year. the natural consequence would be the raising
OF the price OF spirits to proper standard. With
Sucn o state OF Affairs the dislller acknowledges
/ that although his daily profits in very many in
stances would be smaller, yet the aggregate profits
at the end OF year, losing no time, would be very
am certain that the government can substantially
| collect two dollars per gallon on whlskey, ana my
experience as an officer OF close observation
| teaches me the fact. But the question 49, how can
it be accomplished How can oil forms OF govern
men. fraud be prevented and the national debt paid
1t can only be done through the energy and will Of
| the American people. 'The American people have
Just emerged from struggle for freedom and unity.
| Their energies nave been wholly employed in sue
cessfully consummating the consolidation OF the
] government and the overthrow OF slavery. These
rcsuits have been attained, and the national faith
now stands pledged for the full payment OF the debt
n aed N q Se @ 81 'a me THE WIZ
When the country IS in danger the people must Il
appealed to- Let the people see, then, the man -. rs
which frauds are perpetrated. Let them fsei ~
fact that the institutions OF our country , eas
rottering beneath their weight and tn nes ,ha
Let them Know that wnskey an1 Sa 10, Ia rum ,a
yield OF ateast $3.50 en- a can DC made y
the win and energy Of ~. peopic Viii md law s 70
n,rm ns ~ .asom OF the Internal Kes,,; ,e.
periods . - appoint subordinate Officers for the
on = niteen, thirty, sixty or ninety DAYS. and 10
| anese appointments would often De made one
department not having the moral courage 10 refnseI
because OF the extraordinary political or
| influences brought TO bear, either directly uron
the department or its officers high m AUTHORITY ana
anring t's reign Of fraud an uneserylnr o,icer 80
/ appointed Would be quite az likely II not more so
| W nave ms commission renewed ~ deserving one
ihese short appointments Of special agents and reye-
nue. inspectors nave aone much To de.noraze the
! service ana promote fraud. Many OF the depart
menf clerks have much ~ do with he direct collec-
| ton OF the revenue; they appointed and re.
| moved by politicians or by the wishes and wnns OF
| numerous superiorS. What inducement. then, does
the government mold out 10 such officers 70 be faith
| iu? Very little. II any, and therefore they ONE
times yield TO the temptations which surround them
thus making their 'little stakes' or q fortune out
| OF the government
ITO be honest, "a this world goes II TO be one man
picked ont OF ten thousand" But since Shak syeares
time honesty has found Its home in the great heart
| OF the American people. The rebellion has shown
That the majority Of our people honest, CAPABLE
aud patriotic. We have plenty o. men wiling 20
i hold onice, bnt as yet cannot. whose acts have
| proved that they vaiue their country more than
their lives and who would scorn to rob the public
treasury.
Let the people Sec then, and realize the absolute
necessity or having all oiiceTs OF the Revenue and
4 other departments honest aud competent ugn. and
| Their VIII end energy, backed UP by General Grant.
l VIII accomplish an object az much 10 be desired
was the overthrow OF slavery or the suppression VI
| the rebellion.
UNITED STATES MAILS TO eUss2E.