Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-08-10
BOUTWELL-PLEASANTON.
The Quarrel Still Proceeds.
Damaging Charges on Either
Side.
The wall street. Outlook.

moval ELECTS considerable comment in po-
litical and business circles. Many heavy
business men and bankers regret the ne
cessity which led to the Presidents
course, as among this class the ex-Com-
missioner has strong supporters on &C.
count of his efforts for the repeal of the
income tax last winter, which it will be
recollected gained for him testimonials of
appreciation from the metropolitan finan-
cial operators. There are semi-official
statements that Pleasanton will make Wig
orous efforts to vindicste the action
taken by him and will endeavor TO enlist
Congressional influence in his behalf.
Special to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
More Charges Against Secretary
Boutwell,.
New YORK, Aug. There are reports
in circulation tonight which give a
glimpse at the inside of the Boutwell,
Plessanton fight, and show up transac
tons not at all creditable to the Secre-
tary.
1t appears that the revenue stamps are
paid for from the appropriation made by
Congress for the Internal Revenue Bu-
reau. Most of these stamps are now
printed by the Bureau of Engraving and
Printing of the Treasury, and are charged
to the Revenue Bureau. The amounts
charged for this printing have been SO ex-
orbitant that payment was refused by
Commissioner Deleno, and this refusal
was sustained by Commissioner Pleasan-
ton. Still the printing ia continued by
Mr.. Boutwell,, and his excessive charges
for the same are hanging over the revenue
appropriations. The Commissioner also
discovered that he was being fearfully
swindled by the paper furnished for
stamps. Mr. Boutwell, insists upon using
q paper made with q fiber in it similar
to that used in Government cur
rency and bonds. The fiber makes
the stamps so heavy and hard
that ordinary mucilage or paste will not
make them adhere to wooden packages.
The consequence is that they are re used
by dishonest persons. 1t is estimated
that that the re use of stamps results in
an annual loss of from four to five mil
lions of dollars of revenue annually-at
least two millions on beer and ale alone.
Mr.. Boutwell, has contracted with MIR.
Wilcox, of the Glenns Mills, near Phila-
delphia, for all the paper used in the
Treasury Department at prices which av
erage from one-third to one-half more
than the cost of plain white bank note
paper. As the act of July 20, 1868, ex-
pressly directs the Commissioner of In
ternal Revenue to provide The stamps re-
quired by the act, Gen. Pleasonton deter
mined to take The matter in his own
hands. Hetherefore called for proposals
for paper, and among those who respond
ed was Wilcox, of Philadelphia, and
Hudson, of Connecticut. After expert
-menting over three months with samples
submitted by them, and subjec ing them
to the criticism of experts, and having
them tested by the bank-note companies,
Gen. Pleasonton awarded the contract for
stamp paper to Mr.. Hudson at much
lower figure than Wilcox proposed OF had
previously charged. Moreover, Mr.. Hud-
son offered to furnish either fiber or white
paper, or to provide paper with special
distinctive water-msrk at the same price.
The water marked paper was selected as
the best means of preventing counter
feiting. Had this contract been award ed
to Mr.. Wilcox at his own figures Mr..
Boutwell, would never have objected.
His special interest in Mr.. Wilcox is &C.
counted for by the fact that relative of
Mr. Boutwell'q, q man by the name of
Dennis, was appointed by the Secretary
as Stamp Agent at Mr.. Wilcox's mills, in
which capacity he is still employed. He
is said to have a remarkable good thing.
But Mr.. Boutwell, did not Ike the Hud-
con contract, and claims to have set it
aside. Mr.. Hudson, it is Understood,
will contest the point, and hold that his
contract is binding under the law.
Another View.
New YORK, Aug. S.-Pleasanton has
been virtually deposed from his position
as Commissioner. The circumstances
attending his appointment and causes
which led to his sgrace are general top
lea of conversation this evening, particu
larry at the Union tn1 Army and Navy
Clubs. 1t is well known that from his
first appointment as Collector of Internal
Revenue in this city, through his rapid
upward career and finsl elevation to the
Commissionership of Internrl Revenue,
he had The personal friendship and CO.
operation, politically and socially, of the
military ring at the head quarters of the
DEPARTMENT of the East. Since the close
of the war Gen. Rufus Ingalls, ard
Plesssnton have been inseparable, living
together in the same house in this city.
Both were companions in arms of the
President twenty-five years ago. Iogalls
has backed him earnestly and vigor ously,
and his disgrace falls the more heavily
upon him, since it is attended, or rather
preceded, by the loss of this friendship
and support, and he stands to-day almost
deserted.
It is understood here by those well in
formed, and in the confidence of the
President, that Boutwell's report will
contain q damaging statement of facts
concerning Pleasanton's administration
of the Internal Revenue Department,
and that charges seriously affecting bis
official integrity are confidently predicted.
While the President was 10th to interfere,
the faint of official corruption and de. !
partment characterization became too
strong, and he was obliged to sccede to |
the demands of Boutwell,. Gen. Ipgalls |
stood by Pleasanton until he was satisfied |
of his want of ability and maladminis-
trstion, and now, as he says himself, he |
don't go cent on Pleasanton.
1t is understood that Col. Clifford |
Thompson, who had been on Pleasanton's |
staff, afterwards one of the most reliable |
of New York reporters, was acting IN
der Pleasanton's personal orders in every |
dispatch he sent. Thompson was Pleas
anton's instrument, and when the expose
came he was made the scapegoat of |
Pleasanton's maladministration. Boutwell, |
admits this now, and this makes him the
more bitter against The defunct Commits
sioner. The condemnation of Pleassnton
by his former friends and supporters, who
made him what he was, is fearfully Sc
were, and can only be accounted for by
the serious nature, by the gravity of the
charges about to be laid before the Sem
ate.
EVANSVILLE.