The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-05-07
CROOKED WHISKY.
Secretary sherman Declines q
Proposed Compromise with the
Union Copper DistillIng Com.
Dnny.

Secretary Sherman Declines q
Proposed Compromise with the
Union Copper DistillIng Com.
pany.
WAsH1NoToS, May 5.LThe following
Ia the decision Of the Secretary Of the
Treasury on the proposition Of Anton
Junker, Joseph Roelle and j. p. kissing.
er, proprietors Of the Union Copper Dis.
tilling company, First District OF Iii.
nois, to compromise by the payment Of
100000 and costs-the claims Of the
United States against them for fines,
penalties, iorisitnres and taxes, amount.
ing in all to S597 1908 80. The Secretary
writes: ! have carefully examined this
proposition for compromise, and have
considered the brief OF Charles II. Reed,
Esq, attorney for the proponents, in Oh.
lection to the opinion Of Assistant Secre-
tary French, Of this department, and now
approve OF his opinion, and decline the
proposed compromise. The verbal agree.
ment referred 10, sol far as tits established
by proof, has been fully executed on the
part Of the Government by release OF
proponents from imprisonment for crimes
committed under the revenue laws. It
did not undertake 10, and could not un.
der the law extend 10 the release OF pro-
ponents for taxes due or forieitures in
Cured under the Internal Revenue laws.
1t does not appear that any such release.
from pecuniRry liabilities was proposed
to any officer OF the Government having
the authority to make compromise.
Both the Secretary and the Solicitor Of
the Treasury deny that any such agree.
ment ever was reported to this depart.
ment. The evidence Of this oral arrange
ment with the Attorney is SO vague and
unsatisfactory that the executive officer
Of the Government would not be justified
in acting upon it, and the court has al.
ready given it full effect in discharging
the proponents from imprisonment. The
power to compromise debts and other
pecuniary liabilities to the United States
is discretionary power vested in the
Secretary Of the Treasury. lie has iur.
isdictiOn to compromise only upon the
previous recommendation Of other otii-
GERS, and he alone can make the compro.
mise or authorize it to be made.
The release Of parties against whom
the United States has claims for fines,
penalties, forfeitures and taxes amount.
ing to S597 ,993 80 should not be made by
him except upon the clearest grounds Of
public policy. The offer Of compromise
in this case Il the nominal sum Of
100000, and would leave the de.
PENDANTS, who have confessed themselves
guilty OF the crime, not only relieved
from criminal punishment, but from the
payment Of large amounts oftaxes admit.
ted to be due, and Of fines, penalties and
forfei.ures plainly due under the revenue
laws.
The release OF these proponents
after participating in crime OF
such magnitude, merely because they
confessed their guilt, would be q
dangerous example. The payment
Of the taxes due and the losses in.
CURED by the Government by reason Of
their ofenses, with interest and costs,
would be the least that could be demanded
OF them with just regard to public inter.
ests. That the losses cannot be collected
by reason OF their insolvency is no justi.
fication for their release.
JOHN SHERMAN, Secretary.
TRIAL OF CoEspGRAToRs.
WASHINGTON, May 5.-To.day in the
Criminal Court case Of F. A. Sawyer,
Frank W. Brooks, W. T. Haiues, D. P,
Rnhhy and Wm Ii Rnratnur nhn.n..L