The New York herald., 1868-10-24

Fianderlng from the Treasury WifnonS Me-
courss-A Queer Statement Of Facts.

FiGndcring from tho Treasury Without He.
course-A Queer Statement Of Facts.
from the Boston Advertiser, Oct. 22.
We have received the following copies OF reports
Ills late e. adventures in New York. and OF Mr.. Court
ney, United States Attorney Ior tne Southern u.s.
vigorous letter or Commissioner Rollins requesting
his removal. The documents are before the Re-
trencnment Committee now In session In New
York.
MR.. BINCKLEY's REPORT.
OFFICE OF INTERNAL REVENUE, |
WASHINGTON, Sept. 10, ls8s.}
The subjoned order of your Excellency reached
me on the day OF its date:-
EXECUTIVE MANsIos,
sxF.You win At once proceed 70 te city q Brookyn
Of Wswood and repert whsher in YOUR opinion
the same substantially duplicates violations OF law any
0l 'nern'' revenue HSDkE% JoaSsSs
John NJ Buckley Solicitor General Revenue Bureau,
Washington, D. c.
Accordingly proceeded at once to New York and
appointed an interview with Assessor Wildwood, TO
whom showed this order. was strongly i'm
pressed with that gentemanS love OF justice, but as
1t became manifest that he was extremely appre-
hensiye OF falling into some position OF indecacr
thought it reasonable to afford him opportunity and
time to form for himself such an opinion Of my object
as would relieve him from what afterwards learned
TO regard as an excusable hesitation. l disciamed
any motive but strictly official one and cordially
adopted his own expressions under that head. Yet
Was much surprised to discern in the conversa-
Weilwood, that was not Considered sreabe that
any attempt would be made in good faith to enforce
the penal sanctions OF the revenue laws in New
aork irrespeclVey OF persons or parties Mr.
Wildwood pointed out a man formerly q
revenue Inspector named McHenry, as likely to
which had engaged our conference. Treating
tniS suggestion rs substantial compliance with my
Ggemand upon Mr.. Wildwood IN person, sent for
Alchemy his personal knowledge included several
important faces duplicating revenue officials OF the
highest grade, but not indicating that general preva
lence OF corruption Of which Shall speak hereafter
Meantime my presence In the city became known and
was popularity, but as you know, erroneousy, taken
to be for the purpose Of general investi alton with
the sole object OF collecting plausible data upon
which to predicate suspension OF MIR. Commissioner
Rollins Under this mistaken hypothesis was called
upon by large numbers OF persons some accredited
some total strangers, but mostly OF mercenary and
unprinciped class, who were desirous OF employ
ment In the work of detecting crime. / need not
say that the very different character of my mission
left me at liberty wholly to dlscounenance all such
persons and deemed 1t admissible TO refuse to hear
revelations theJ would propose to make M an earn
est Of the value OF their services; what amount of
point blank evidence may possibly have been thus
rejected have, OF course no means OF reckoning.
But another class OF persons approached me with
different object. They were deeply impressed with
widespread and apparently irremedable demoral-
ization in the revenue service and had come 10 as-
certain what prospect existed OF REFORM Without
exception they were discouraged upon ascertaning,
by my frank deciafatlOns, that there was nothing
extraordinary III my powers, and that held myself
exonerated on this occasion from noticing any
IL
In some degree cognate to the matter supposed to
be In Mr.. Wellwoods reach. From every direct on
came the substance OF TINS strong
it once appear by demonstration that the govern
ment will really make bold ana honest attack on
tne whskey ring and every safe in the city viii fur
nlsh documentary evidence"
;. According 10 the best sagacity could command
chese EXPIRE ssons came from persons having access
20 OF control OF proof; Frequently papers were de-
tlcuars. In some instances the coincidence OF nu-
merous statements enabled me to determine the
AI prahf fhn Jfndu nf
on pledge OF honor to return II on the spot to have
u exnlDited for my inspection. In word, through
Chose sources OF knowledge In human affairs which
transcend all mere legal yerlcation, came to share
70 some extent the melancholy, but universal opin-
ION or all classes In New York, who are acquainted
with internal revenue business, that 1t has been
Tor years substantially business OF malver5a-
tlon among the higher grades Of officials. This
astonishing conclusion is undoubtedly the
actual belief of all whose opportunities have ena-
pied them to form correct opinion. 1t s needless
s win @ vs 70
by experience were not moro incredulous OF real
purpose OF public duty than ! was Of their narra-
munications to the proper officers and insist upon
public justice. They replied with instances OF prl-
preached their timidity and they ridicuied my SIM
Plcity. Everywhere the same sentiment was upper
to TsF II Se
tnvestieat OF revenue frauds have been made,
but always for the purpose. or o. least with the
efect, OF better concealing and promoting bribery
and corruption; this win end the same way"
&c. &c. Such sentiment seems to be unwar-
fsntable upon any hypothesis but the sad one that
the combinations OF politicians, officials. tradesmen
Ind speculatoTs that 20 under tbe name OF the
Iswhlskey ring" actually exert the power to disable
the zeal OF The local prosecuting ocers and other
agents OF criminal justice. Upon the whole, re-
Allied that In pursuing very restricted inquiry
had fallen upon startling disclosures that did not
know what To do with. TO submit them to the Pre-
sident for disposition and action according to the
them back where found them. on Tie other hand
was manifest TO my best Judgment that the general
aesre OF honest citizens for an earnest of real work
would be easily kndled into active support and that
As soon real efort should be publicly recognized
evidence without end would come forward, the press
would no longer be imputed aud the dignity and
power Of the law would revive.
motion among the suspected classes, In consequence
OF the report That olcaa was engaged In invest-
eating frauds But who was to take the first step2
No officer OF she government could have been called
upon to take that great responsibility who might not
have pertinenty asked me. "Why do you not do 1t
who b law ocer ,as
from attacking the 'whiskey ring under clrcum-
stances which Impicate the heads or your office and
which show the futiiy OF relying upon the district
attorney, what other official Is obliged to do mr.
Iconsldered this matter anxiousy. and finding no
worthier motive for resgning my oiice than lear
or consequences of right action in 1t, l resolved
TO do what could to break the spell OF domination
which has kept the truth out OF court for years In
New York.
My plan was simple-to collect evidence enough
to JUSTLY the prospect OF commitment under ordi-
tered the record and the public prints the corrupt
and desperate resorts Of the so-called ring to sup
press and discredt would be frustrated by great
quantity Of point blank evidence, to be encouraged
6y the resoute good faith Of the proceeding, to
come forward in the hands OF honorable and
notable witnesses. A combination OF just men for
their own vlndication against this abonlnaDe or
ganizaton OF crime would destroy its fearful power
in week.
/ then took the step by instituting proceedings
before United States Commissioner, arresting
TWO OF the accused and entering upon their ex-
hnn Tn In Mt csrs4
Able moment with the assistance OF an untarnished
practical lawyer whose unavoidable failure con-
siderabiy disconnected me. As had not at that
time reasonable grounds for publicly accusing the
District Attorney, invited him TO impart the au-
thority Of his Office TO the prosecution To avoid the
lndecency OF a more direct understanding We acted
In a tacit re.atloa Of mere formal participation In
the case on his part, OF actual control on mine. Sub
sequently, evidence which could not Affect to ig-
moro rendered IL extremely irksome 10 proceed to-
gether.
Circumstances affecting the conduct OF the case
snvto of anurt xvgr n N