The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-03-11
LOCAL DEPARTMENT.

RETIRING COMMISSIONER or INTERNAL REV
ESUE.-Mr. Rollins WA visited by his clerks
about half-past three o'clock yesterday.
When all the clerks had assembled In the
Office Of tho Commissioner, Mr.. Harland,
Deputy Commissioner, thus addressed Mr..
Rollins
Mr.. Rollins, have been requested by the
chairman Of the committee appointed nj a
meeting OF the clerks on Monday last to
make some remarks on the presentation Of
resolutions expressive OF our feelings on your
retiring from the Office. / then hoped 10
have at least my usual leisure to enable me
70 get together my thoughts In some form
that would give suitable expression 70 the
occasion. But the recent pressure Of busi-
ness has prevented me. Il seems to me
proper, however, inasmuch as this occasion
Is felt by all TO be more Of a personal than of
m official character, that Il Ia rather an oc-
casion OF n parting with q friend than part
ing with an ofiiccr, that some slight refer
cnco to the changes In the personnel OF the
office since you drst came here might be APP
Dr. 1prlate. Had you remained one month
more YOU would have been precisely six years
connected with the office; and am sure that
ii ia the una pimous testimony OF all In the
Office slncc that time that never has any act
of yours given unnecessary pain to any one
in the office, and all will bear me out In say
ing that on no occasion heretofore, on a
change OF officers, has there been such
heartfelt feeling as exists on the present &C.
aston.
do not know as can say more than to
read the resolutions, which are felt by all
who have head them read 10 convey so faint
an appreciation Of the feelings OF those at.
tachcd to the Office, that II was with great
hesitation Il was concluded TO engross them
In the form that they arc.
We, the officers and clerks Of the burca Of
Internal Revenue, unanimously adopt the
following resolutions as expressing our feel
ings and sentiments towards tho Hon. Ed
ward Ashton Rollins upon the occasion of
his resignation of the office of Commissioner
of Internal Revenue:
Resolycd, That the integrity, fidelity, abil-
ity and untiring devotion to the duties OF his
office which Mr.. Rollins has exhibited have
inspired in us feelings Of profound respect
for his sterling qualities as man and an
officer, and that we especially admire the
geniality OF disposition which he has uni
formly manifested towards US amid all the
cares and pcrpextics OF q difficult and bur-
dcnsome office, held much Of the time under
peculiarly trying circumstances.
Resolpsd, That we part with him with sim
cere regret, and tender him our grateful ac-
acknowledgements for his uniform kindness
and courtesy In all his official and personal
relations with us during his long connection
with the office as cashier, deputy commits
sioner and commissioner.
ReSOlUed, That our best wishes accompany
him in his retirement from the public re-
probabilities which he has fearlessly en-
countered and faithfully discharged, and as
final expression OF our best wishes we trust
he may long live to add In new fields OF
labor and usefulness to the noble reputation
he has already achieved.
The lady clerks connected with the De
partment having heard the foregoing reso
lutlons presented by the gentlemen, not only
desire TO express their entire concurrence In
the sentiments therein expressed, but also
do hereby
Resolve, That while they thus acknowledge
their appreciation of the uniform courtesy
kindness and sympathy Of their departing
chief they would not forget that his face II
turned In direction which invites to peace
Guietness and repose. Hence to their ex
prcssions OF cherished esteem, Of mingled
sorrow and grateful acknowledgment the,
would add their best wishes for his futur,
prosperity and happiness.
ReSolVed, That the foregoing resolutions
be engrossed, aud after signature by the Off
GERS and clerks of the bureau, be suitabl!
framed for presentation TO Mr.. Rollins.
(signed) J. Ollie, Chairman.
A. b. JOHNSON, Secretary.
A handsomely framed copy Of the resolu
tons, beautifully engrossed on parchment
was then presented to Mr.. Rollins, who thu
addressed the company:
My Friends; | thank you for your kind
feelings towards me, and the warm and gel
erous language of Its expression. The trt
quality Of apparent friendship Is best testt
when those protesting 1t are about to sep
rate; and the approval or disapproyal of one
own household, or of those with whom
has been long and intimately associated, Ia
deeper Significance than the hollow word
of strangers.
II is almost six years since came TO thi
Office almost unknown to every one of you
Your number has increased with the neces
stiles of the service. Some have found othe
and more desirable employment elsewhere
a few have been retired by the action of tn
Department.; some whom We must deplor
have died, but the faces of many whom
first saw on the morning OF the 9th OF April
1868, have grown more and more familia
and dear to me TO the present hour. VIVA
ever measure of success has attended th
discharge of my duties is mainly attribute
bic 10 the counsel, the fidelity and the labor
OF the officers and clerks associated with m
in their discharge.
The office of Commissioner, as suggeste
in your resolutions, has for the last two @
three years been crowded with annoyance
and cmbarrassments as well as responsible
ties. The interests Of the revenue have bee
sacrificed that au unworthy policy of recon
struction might be foisted upon an unwillin
people. Bad men and bad women have col
trolled presidential nominations, while Il
advice Of worthy and trusted leaders of bot
the great political parties of the count
has been disregarded. The Office of Cor
missioner has been robbed of the power oyt
its subordinates and the Treasury Depar
ment In all Its ramlfcations been regarded
great place for the distribution Of reward
rather than an institution for the proper co
lection and disbursement of the nationi
revenue.
Were 1t not for your encouragement an
your support, In spite Of the wishes Of 200
men and of my own convictions of dut,
sick at heart and weary from excessive toi
must have retired from this place bcfol
the appointment Of successor approved b
the Senate. Through your aid have bee
enabled TO carry the office through Ii
troubles and perls Of the last Administri
ton, and deliver 1t over to one whom hav
known for years only TO esteem; for whom
proposed long since to retire, and whom
know enjoys your confidence and that of III
country. The office, as have reason fror
President Grant for believing, will now b
reclothed with the power ii once exercised
and the country has abundant reasons 70
believing that the expectation of pardon
Will not hereafter stimulate violations of tn
revenue law.
Under the new Administration shall loo
40 's9 iIuuu, mort revenue, ana the re
stored confidence Of the people in the lnsti
buttons Of our Government. The future /
Veiied to all, but though our pathway shall
seldom again pass each other In this world
we small listen 10 the admonitIons of con
science and the teachings of inspiration
heroically the while doing with our nigh
what our hands find to do, when our ionr
neys are all ended and the veil is lined, W,
shall be together and he at peace. Coo
grant that this may be SO
when Mr. Rollins had concluded, thu
clerks retired, passing in order their retIrino
chief, whom they grasped cordially by ibs
hand and babe farewell.
MEETING OF ILLIsoIsASs.-A meeting O
The citizens Of Illinois temporarily resldinl
IN washington was held at Wizards hote
last night for the purpose Of taking steps L
COhgralulate Hon. Z. b. Wnshhnrna nnnI