New-York tribune., 1873-03-19
WASHINGTON.
COMMISSIONER DOUGLASS ExoNERATED.


.,ocouNr OF THE CHARGES AGAINST HIM-RE-
SUITS OF THE EXAMINATIoNs-No QUESTION
"a TO MR.. DOUGLAss's INTEGRITY.
IBT TELEGRAPH TO THB TRIBUNE
v.svrxproS. March 1s-Durlng the first session
+ the XIIId Congress John w. Douglass, Commits
.;oner of Internal Revenue. presented petition to
tha House of Representatives asking TO be relieved
t liability for certain charges against him as Col
Ioctor of Internal Revenue for the AlAth District
~ Pennsylvania, growing out of the embezzlement
II certain moneys by his clerk and deputy, Julius
permier. This petition wasreferred to the Commit
tee of Claims and by them, early during the second
session, given to Charles Foster of Ohio as sub
committee On the 10th of March, 1872. The Nelo-
York Sun made certain charges against Commissioner
Douglass affecting his integrity as Revenue official
and in other issues repeated and referred to these
charges On April 8. Mr.. Holman Of Indiana. men,
Der of the Committee of Claims, introduced reso-
luton in the House authorizing that Committee to
send for persons and papers in the examination OF
any claim before it, it being understood that 1t had
reference especially to the claim of Mr. Douglass
The investigation was, however not begun until
theatter part of April when the witnesses named by
Mr. Dana Editor of The Sun, as those by whom ne
expected to substantiate the charges made In his
paper, werelsummoned to appear before the Com
,pittee These were the defaulting Deputy
Degmer and E. n. Hubert, both of Erie, Penn, the
latter being relative by marriage of Degmier.
Only Hubert appeared. Degmiers whereabouts not
being known even by his wife and friends living at
Erie. The subject was then referred to sub-com-
nittee consisting of MeSsrs, Holman of Indiana,
FRYE of Maine, and Foster of Ohio, by whom the
investigation was made, and at the close of the
second session they reported the facts found and
conclusions arrived at to the Committee of Claims
l.. foro octi on thp hv
The Committee review the evidence now on file,
and say
Your Committee feel that general statement OF facts
and conclusions will be sufficient 1t appears that Mr.
Douglass appointed Collector Of Internal Revenue
for the XIXth Collection District OF Pennsylvania In
the year 1861 and held the position till April 1862 that
ip the Fall of 1863 he employed Degmier clerk; that
Dagmer's reputation above reprOach that he had
the confidence Of the community in which he lived to
remarkable degree having occupied responsible posi-
tons that he remained in office until August 1865
that during this period there discrepancies in the
accounts; that being finally led to suspect Degmer Mr.
Douglass charged him with embezzement that he
confessed his guilt and placed in the hands
OF the Collector. he supposed, sufficient
security for the defalcatiOn; that having
done 90, he was allowed TO leave the coun-
Try as he alleged for the purpose of raising the
money that he returned unsuccessful was permitted
to leave again again returned was arrested tried and
discharged the technical grounds tnaJ Ine proSecu
ton was barred by the Statute OF Limitations; that his
property pledged security twas sold. the proceeds
accounted for the Treasury Department that there
was then deficit Of 5000 OF $4,000 which Mr. Douglass
subsequently paid that the creditors of Degmer insti
tuted proceedings against Mr. Douglass, claiming that
be had more Of Degmiers property than would cover
the deficit that the judgment after full hearing was
In favor of Douglass. Your Committee concludes;
First: That there was evidence OF negligence on
the part OF Mr. Douglass in the employment OF MI
Degmer or in the retaining Of him in his office.
Second: That there is evidence whatever OF any
completely or colusion of Mr.. Douglas.
Third: That there evidence OF any fraudulent n
tent or purpose on the part OF Douglass.
Fourth: That the allegations contained in The Ne0-
York Sun against Mr.. Douglass are in NO respect sus
tanned in the slightest degree-are entirely without
foundation in fact or truth.
FIN: That il there has been any error or mistake
made by Mr. Douglass it consisted in not at once prose-
cutting his defaGltng clerk an example and warning
20 others.
Syh: That in all the proceedings and all the evidence
sabmed and facts brought to their attention. there is
osbiuz tending the conclusion that Mr. Douglass is
na a simple-minded faithful and honorable public
CAcer 80
Referring Won TO the evidence submitted herewith,
your Comm tee ask be discharged from further con-
SdcratiOn o: the subject matter submitted to them