The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1871-08-10
PLEASANTON SUSPENDED.
~. w. DOUGLASS TO DISCHARGE THE DU-
TIES OF COMMISSIONER.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
OFFICE OF COMMIssI oNER OF

INTERNAL REVENUE, Aug.8.
To the PRESIDENT.
In answer TO your request, transmitted
through Gen Porter last evening, that
should tender my resignation of the
office of Commissioner of Internal Rev
enue, | can only reply that under ordin.
airy circumstances nothing would give
me greater pleasure than to accede any
request you might make of this kind !;
but the cause for making this request
was stated by General Porter to be the
difference existing between Secretary of
the Treasury Boutwell, and myself as re.
CARDS the government and management
1T the internal revenue. Boutwell, claims
powers which, under tho law of Congress
governing the B reau, are vested solely
III the Commissioner The question is
therefore purely legal one, and the
precedents of our Government have been
to have such questions, when appealed to
the President, referred to the law officer
Of the Government for his opinion, upon
which the President would base his de
clslon.' This course was pursued by
President jackson, Tyler, Pierce, Van
Buren,, Fillmore and others, and has been
the uniform practice of the Government
Knowing these facts, and believing this
to be the proper way to settle any differ.
enf OF view as regards the law which
might exist between the Secretary and
the Commissioner, I addressed YOU a
communication some time since making
an appeal for your decision of the power
OF the commissioner under the act of July
goth, 1868. This appeal, as understand
1t, is not to be entertained, but subject to
be treated rather as personal difference
between the Secretary and myself. In
this connection, it is proper to add that
the personal conduct of the S cretary has
been such as to preclude the tender of
my resignation until some opportunity
was granted to vindicate my administra-
ton OF the internal Revenue Bureau. In
view OF the injustice to the public inter
ests placed under my charge, and the
Importance to taxpay ers of the proper
solution of these difficulties I must re-
specially decline to tender you nv. res
ignation, and, trusting it will not be
deemed inappropriate, I will again re-
quest that your present determination
may be reconsidered, and the investiga.
ton of the matter of the difference. g.
tween the Secretary and myself BY re.
tered to the Attorney General for his
legal opinion. With great respect,
(Signed) A PLEAsANroN.
Commissioner.
This letter was accompanied by pri-
vate note from Pleasanton, expressive. it
is said, of his devotion, friendship and
support of the President in the future.
Within two hours of the reception of
Pleasanton's communication the President
sent to him notification of suspension.
EXECUTIVE MANsIoS, Aug. 8.
You are hereby suspended from the
Office OF Commissioner of Internal Rev
enue, in accordance with the terms of an
act regulating the tenure of certain civil
officers, passed March Cd, 1867, and sub.
ject to all the provisions of law appii.
cable thereto.
(Signed) US GRANr.
To Pleasantou.
On receiving the notification, Pleas
anton vacated the Office, leaving for his
superior the following note:
70 y ". Douglas, First Deputy Csmnais-
stoaaer of the I'aternGl Reoenue Bureau:
SIR:-Having this day been suspended
from this office by the President, I turn
the same over to you.
Respectfully. A PLEAsANToN.
Douglass Immediately entered upon
the duties of his Office, and received the
congratulations of his friends. Pleas
anton is suspended until the end of the
aextsession of the Senate, and Douglass
IS to perform the duties of the Office in !
the meantlma.