The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-03-16
H I s II . r x
The whisky Rings
Grane--ROllins.

The whisky Rings.
Grant--ROllins.
The late dismissal Of Mr.: BLcNKLEY,
Solicitor of Internal Revenue, was
petty act Of revenge; on the part Of RoI-
LINs, and GRANT, the late Internal Eeye-
nue. Commissioner, as will be seen from
the following extract taken from al ar
ticle in the New York Herald, Grant
paper of October, 1863 1t says:
He (JonNsos) has mace the Solicitor
of Internal Revenue, BINCKLEy, his lieu
tenant, and furnished him from the mag
azine of the Executive Department with
ample ammunition for brilliant cam
paign That officer, although Temporal
rily repulsed by the enemy, is now Wig
orously pushing an examination before
the United States Commissioner which
takes the character of reconnaissance
i'll force, and will be followed by sicges,
assaults, bombardments, and battles Of
tremendous magnitude. His movements
have spread a fearful panic among the
whisky rings and office holders, and they
are using every means to embarrass and
defeat the heinvestigation he has set on foot.
Twenty-Five million dollars will be a9-
propriated, if necessary, to crush it out
The ablest counsel III the country are
employed to throw every technical OBJ
stacle in the way of the prosecution
The Congressional Committee on Re
trenchment rushes into the field to renew
its self assumed functions and to create
a conflict of authority with the Courts.
Congress itself provides for a meeting
in October in order that the whole legis-
lative power may be invoked for the pro
lection of the revenue rings"
Now comes ROLLINS last contemplate
act, and GRANTS sanction, which puts
him in the class Of scoundrels known as
the whisky ring thieves, and whom
BINcKLEY was working to expose, but
was prevented through the reasons given
in the above extract from the Herald:
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
OFFICE OF INTERNAL REvENUE,f
WASHINGTON, D. c., March 6, 1869.
SIR: John NJ. Binckley was appointed
Solicitor in August. On the ID day of
the following month l requested his re-
moval upon the ground that he was a
wilful peJurer or so weak and credulous
as to make him the convenient tool of
corrupt and malicious men. Not having
changed My opinion of him since that
time, l have assigned him to no duty
whatever, and for the last five months /
do not know that he has ever ostensibly
done a single hours labor for the govern
ment. Meanwhile l have repeatedly
urged his removal, and he'has repeatedly
drawn his monthly salary at the rate of
$4,000 per annum. Mr.. BincEley is no.
toriously unqualified for his place. do
not know that he even claims to be a
lawyer, Certain it is he never undertook
to practice, and his employment as So
lieitor of Internal Revenue is farce. [
| do not believe he would be continued
under the present administration The
acting Secretary Of the Treasury, unad
vised by you, may hesitate, perhaps, to
change the officers of the department, in
anticipation of the early appointment and
qualification of its permanent Secretary.
/ respectfully recommend, therefore, that
you request him to dismiss Mr.. Binckley
Immediately. | am, very respectfully.
Il. A. ROLLINS, Commissioner.
To the President
/ Endorsement.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, March s, 1869.
Respectfully referred to the Honora-
BILE, the Secretary of the Treasury: The
services of Mr.. John NJ. Bincllley, So.
licitor of Internal Revenue, will be nc
longer required by the government.
By order of The PRESIDENT.
Horace Porter, Brevet Brigadier Gen.
etal, Secretary. ...
Upon this letter the following indorse
ment was made:
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, March S.
JOHN M. BINoKLEY, Solicitor of Inter
nal Revenue-Sir: I am requested by
the President to inform you that your
services as Solicitor of Internal Revenue
are no longer required by the govern
ment. You are therefore removed from
the Office. Very respectfully,
j. HARTLEY,
Acting Secretary Of the Treasury.