New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-09-22
COY. 41LDBES INCOME TAX.
HOW THE EXPLANATION IS RECEIVED.


COMMENTS OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS STEPS IN
TIE SUIT AGAINST GOV. TuDEN EXPECTED VERY
sOoN-srArEMENT OF A PROMINENT OFFICIAL
The leading topic of conversation among
politicians yesterday Gov Tldens alleged iase IN
come returns and Judge snnOtts attempted expiana-
ton The latter regarded by Republicans rs Oens
very unsatisfactory and not meeting tho man. prom
inent fact that Gov Tden by MEANS had escaped
paying income tax except fractional part OF Wnat
was universally believed to have been an e1-
,eptionalIy large income. At the Republican
National Headquarters the proprety OF prosecuting Gov
Tden to recover the tax withheld, and penalties ana
interest was actively discussed. The Naonal hAecu
tive Committee touched upon the subject In us sessOn
but Of course has power authopy In the matter
Opinon was divided the ACCESSIBILITY OF beginning
suit against Gov Tilden Some thought the answer 70
the main charges had still left the in such bad ngnt
for Gov Tlden that prosecution could not add to the
iury which he had done himself They feared IL might
look Ike political persecution, nasmuch as the case
could not he brought to trial before November others
urged that suit should be brought against Gov deh 70
show that the charges had nade in good faith ana
that swearing falsely to ones income returns was an
oense of which the law took severe oognizance othe
wise Democratic journals would probably continue 10
talk fippantly OF the charges as campaign hes.
Republican Of high official position in the Govern
ment said yesterday that he understood that Commls
soner Raum would institute proceedings against GOV
Tlden had already been served with the usual paper
giving him notice that suit would be brought within
the time prescribed by he did not correct his income
returns aud pay the just tax. There was some doubt
whether or tic so per penalty which Gov Ihdcn
had regularly paid during ten years really covered
the full liability The penalty imposed for not nun
self furnishing statement Of his yearly income In
stead he was entirely satisfied TO have the assessor NIX
his neome-relyng on the returns of previous years,
but In effect arbrariyat Sums which averaged aoout
900 annually for about years This had enabled
him TO conceal what his income had really BEEN And u
was hardly to be supposed that Gov Tlden would nave
paid the so per penalty If he had not been saving
something thereby There was little doubt in MS own
mind that Gov Tdens yearly income during that period
bad ranged between 100000 and 100000. II the
original crime were perjury the assessor basing Ms
churges on the frat sworn statements Gov lden "Ou
be shielded prosecution on chat head by the statute
OF limitation He should recommend suit to recover
100000 and give the question test There were no
precedcnts which exactly fitted the case
Assistant DIstrct-Attorney Tremain, who was acting
I'm The absense OF United States DistrctAorney Bliss
said yesterday that while Mr Bliss was away he did not
feel at liberty say what had been done toward BRING
ing suit against Tldcn and that he could not nu-
thorLe statement that suit had been brought BE had
however taken recent steps In the matter what
they were would not made known until Mr. Bliss re-
turned Mr. Bliss will return to-day, ana viii probably
take some decisive action Immediately.
II was said Yesterday, by persons who were FAMILIAR
with the case that Judge Snnott's statement in Gov.
1fdcns behalf did the grounds on which SUIT
could be brought and that evidence sufficient to make
strong case In the could be adduced to show thai
Mr. Tildens sworn statement Of income for the year
1862 placed his receipts at sum far belo"
the actual figures The most important and respon-
s5le OF his legal services in the ST. Louis, Alton and
T,rre Uaute Railroad for which ne received
10000 II was said, could be shown by his own answer
In the railroad suit 70 have been rendered In Lsoz no
legal procecings have been decided upon as yet To re-
cover the additional TAX income for the years suOse
0uent 10 1862 when return was made, ana no pro-
cgsl1gs will be undertaken without positive legal eVl.
dsnre 10 show that the Government was defranded OF
revenue in those years The only basis of me suit AZ
ntesrpt pronosCd Il on the sworn return for lsO2.