Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-02-07
Revenue Detectives.

In committee Of the whole, of the House OF
Representatives, on Saturday last, when the
general appropriation bill was under discussion,
| the Clerk read as follows
For detecting aud bringing 10 trial and pun
ishmcnt persons guilty Of violating the internal
revenue laws, or conniving 10 such crime, in-
Guiding payments for information and detection,
$50 900.
| Mr.. CabelI. i move 10 line GEO to strike cut
5000" and insert 40, 1000 50 it will read
$40, OOO."
l take it for granted this system has arrived
at that degree of perfection the appropriation
for that duty can be essened, and | hope it
will be the pleasure Of the House to adopt my
amendment.
/ Mr.. Holman.-l do not think the Committee
on Appropriations will have any objection to
the amendment OF the gentleman from Virginia.
The appropriation heretofore made was $780,
900; but there is-great force 10 the suggestion
that year after year, under our internal revenue
system in time Of peace, matters are becoming
moro systcmatized, and there would not seem
to be the same necessity as 10 former years for
large appropriations.
MIR. Harrison.-l rise to oppose that amond-
men. think gentlemen are not aware OF one
difficulty the country will have to encounter for
the next few years. We are commencing 10
coin silver, and machinery is now moro cx'
tensively engaged 10 striking off silver coin than
it has beea for years 10 striking off greeubacks.
MIR. Cabcll-I would suggest 10 the gentle
mau that this appropriation relates to the in
ternal revenue, and has no connection whatever
with the matter he is now discussing.
Mr.. Harrisou.-l thought this referred to
the regular detective system.
Mr.. Clymer.-l suggest to the gentleman
from Virginia Mr.. CabelI to name 10 his
amendment $4,000.
MIR. Cabell.-I accept that suggestion, aud
modify my amendment accordingly.
Mr.. HaIe-I hope that this amendment will
not be Insisted upon. Ii it should be, it is a
matter Of SO much importance to the depart
meut that think We ought 10 have full vote
upon il. The appropriation now 10 tho bill is
lower than the former appropriation; and while
what has been said about simplifying details
may be true, it is an actual fact that there has
baen more trouble 10 the collection OF internal
revcnue within the last few months, and more
need for this force 10 detecting frauds, than at
any time during the last three or four
years. Ii any change should be made in this
appropriation of $6O,000 it ought to be To-
the chairman Of the Committee on Appropria.
tons that 1t do not think we should be doing
Justice to the department by asserting on the
part OF the committee to thisamendment. The
department would be glad to have moro than
the sum named in the bill and believes that it
requires more. think the appropriation had
better be left rs it ls, at 100000.
? hIr. Cabell.-l would be perfectly willing to
agree to that if did not think that, IN view of
the perfection to which the system ought to be
brought by this time $4,000, as suggested by
the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr.. Cly-
mer, should be sufficient. An appropriation
of 900 was made last year; and from all
that can ascertain that has been entirely sut-
Gcient. | is to be presumed that the depart
ment is goirg on per!ecting this system month
by month and year by year; and ii $50 900 we're
sufficient last year, $50, 900 should certainly bo
enough for the present year. The system in
any aspect is bad one, aud il we could do
without it, ought not 10 be contlDued. | would
not undertake to hamper the Government ia
its operations now, though if we could get rid
Of such system, 1t would be very much better.
| know that this detective system has aided IN
some decree in the detection Ct crime, but at
the same time 1t is ottcn provocative OF crime.
The gentleman must see that the system has
10 many cases operated badly. The disclosures
which have been made from time to time be-
fore committees of Congress have shown that
the men occupying these positions as detectives
are frequently not such persons as should be
sent out By the Government, and do many
other things besides the duties assigned them
by their official superiors.
Mr. Hale.-I agree fully with the gentleman
that any detective system is likely to be abused;
and do not doubt that there have been abuses
in this department. The detective system in
the collection Of customs dues is system which
at times runs pretty rank, involving exactlons
and espionage upon citizens which TO my mind
are very offensive. | have 20 doubt that in
the collection OF the revenue IN that large pof.
ton OF the country lying south OF us such things
have cor;c about. But you may depend upon
it Mr.. Chairman, that so long as We collect
large portion of our revenue through this To-
tcrnal ReTenuc Bureau, and 50 long as there is
temptation for fraud 10 the manufacture OF
| liquors and tobacco, We must have large and
efficient detective force. The remedy for what
the gentleman speaks Of is not SO much with US
in cutting down appropriations as with the de.
partmcut 10 enforcing good service, aud Sc
| curing as its agents men OF character, capacity,
shrcwdness, and nerve, who will attend 10 the
legitimate duties CT their Offices. That is not
= lnlUp WUlCil We Gil lSSuiatS. Amy uIiIilou
dollars or forty million dollars cannot be collect
! ed as the internal revenue tax upon liquors of
Que kind and another without large and eff.
Gent force Of this kind Tho department is
| fully satisfied that this appropriation of $780,
900, instead of being too much, is not sufficient;
aud takog off $4,000 will cripple the opera
tons Of the department. We are all interested
10 having the revenue system properly enforced.
Mr.. CabeIl.-I would remind the gentleman
from Maine that have consented to modiG
cation of my amendment 10 the extent of
$4,000, 80 that the appropriation shall be
$50, 900 instead Of 100000.
Mr.. Haic.-St | say that if this reduction
of 900 be made it will seriously cripple the
department. have no doubt the department
would prefer more; and it may be that an at
tempt will be made 10 the other branch Of
Congress to increase the appropriation. am
in favor Of sticking to this appropriation Of
$50 900, and if anything more should be added
in the Senate. doing as We did last year-lnsist'