The Waynesburg Republican. [volume] (Waynesburg, Pa.) 1867-18??, 1868-06-17
Csmnissienes nollinA' Letter or Resir.
nation.


WASHINGTON, d. c., June 8.-SIR:
l have the honor herewith to transmit
through you to the President the res
ignation of my office, to take effect
upon the qualification of my successor,
nominated by him and confirmed by
the Senate. Justice to myself and
respect for you require that | should
give you briefly my measures for so
doing. Immediately after the Phila-
delphia Convention, in 1866, there
were numerous removals of Assessors
and Collectors throughout the country.
They were induced by political con-
siderations, and produced sad blow
to the reputation and efficiency Of the
revenue service. They were made du-
ring recess of Congress, and in all
cases regardless of my wishes as Com
missioner, l should have resigned my
office long ago had not yielded to
the judgment OF my friends who be-
lieved the public good would be pro-
NOTED by my remaining in it. During
the session of Congress next after the
Convention referred to, many nomina-
tions ofrevenue officers were made to
the Senate by the President, as there
since have been, all Of them without
reference to any opinion l had of their
fitness, while my numerous recommen-
dations for removals of Assessors and
Collectors, even for the grosscst mis-
condnct, have been almost universally
disregarded. In accordance with the
long continued practice Of the Depart
ment the appointment by the Secreta-
ry of the Treasury of Assistant Asses
sors, Inspectors and other subordinate
officers, in the several districts, are
made upon the nomination of the AS
SCISSORS and Collectors. This practice
is just to those officers when faithful,
insures harmony and cooperation, and
locates responsibility for success Of the
Revenue laws. | do not object to the
practice, and refer to it only to illus
trate the importance of the Offices of
Assessor anil Collector, and my ina
bility under existing circumstances, to
elevate and control the service which
| have the ostensible charge. The
Revenue laws are enforced in the
courts through the agency of the Uni
ted States District Attorneys AMI Mar
shals. Of these, numerous changes Of
the character referred to in what have
said of revenue offers, havebcen made,
and in many localities with like re-
suits over their appointment and con-
tinuance in office. 1t is needless to say
that | have no control whatever, and
have no assurance that the services
they will render in the future will be
more thorough and effective than they
have been in the past. In brief, Mr..
Secretary, the revenue laws, even in
the most important localities, are bad
ly administered by officers, either dis
honest or incompetent, appointed with
out my approval, and whose removal
l see no hope of securing. While |
continue in office, am sought to be
responsible for their failures; although
] an absolutely powcrless to prevent
them. For these reasons, as well as
to seek the rest which my health de-
mands, and my efforts to discharge my
public duties have hitherto denied me
am constrained to retire from the
Bureau in which l have labored since
near the date of this organization
With full appreciation of the kind.
ness which you have extended to me
in all your personal and official rela'
tions.
am, Sir, very respectfully
Your obedient servant,
E. A. ROLLINS, Commissioner.
To the Hon. H. MCCULLOUGH, Sec
retary of the Treasury,