New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-01-04
CHARGES AGAINST A MARSHAL
WHAT FITZsIMMONS OF GEORGIA IS GOING TO
WAsHINGTON TO EXPLAIN.

WHAT tllLSlMMONS Of hLOhh'h - NOlNb ~
WASHINGTON TO EXPLAIN.
fBY TELEGRAPH 70 THE TRlBUNE.l
WAsHINGTON, Jan. 3-Iho charges against
Marshal Fiizsimmons of Georgia, are much more
serious and extensive than has been generally sup
posed. According to allegations made by the Inter
nal Revenue Commissioner in documents filed by
him. Marshal FI,zsimmODs and his deputies have de-
frauded the Government of $4,000 or S2OOOO IN
the shape of illegal and eXtOrtiOnate fees 1t Is
charged that Ne aud his deputies have instituted un-
necessary and unjust prosecutions against alleged
vioatOrs of the Internal Revenue laws who were
not guilty OF any penal offence, and who had not
knowingly or maclously violated any law, for the
mere purpose Of collecting fees, which are III all
paid by the Government where the prisoner is
not able TO Day. Negroes have been prosecuted on
trumped up charges, persuaded 10 plead guilty as
mere form. and then released on their own recogni-
zance and all for the purpose of enabling the Mar
shal TO make out n bill of costs against the Govern
ment Legitimate and responsible dealers IN tobacco
and CIGARS. permitting time for renewing their
licenses to 60 through foIgetfulness and then going
To pay the full tax aud penalty of fifty per cent for
their neglect have been prosecuted When IL was
clearly evident that there was no wlliul VIOLATION Oh
the law and no desire to defraud the Government
Some six hundred Of these cases were inquired
into by special officer of tue Treasury Department.
and the facts Were found to sustain the accusation
against the Marshal and his deputies These prac-
tices have been going on for year and half, and
at the same time moonlight disillers' IN Georgia
have been encouraged to believe that the Revenue
laws would not be enforced against them, so lar as
the Marshal was concerned. Not only does 1t appear
that Fltzsimmous has been defrauding the Govern
men bv the collection OF illegal fees in the prosecu-
ton of Door negroes. who actually had nothing TO
sell or to manufacture and the enforcement OF the
Revenue laws have been obstructed; but the Mar
shal has beer collecting illegal and dishonest ices
from the Government for the transportation OF Unit
ted States prisoners from Georgia to Northern Penl-
tsutiarics. At the same time he has failed TO nay
over to his deputies their full share OF the fees made
bv them. 40 that according to The allegations he Is
In arrears 90 his own men IN additlOn 70 oelnB
charged with defrauding tho Government. All tnese
facta have been made the subject OF repeated cou-
munications by Commissioner Raum to tue secretary
of the Treasury, and vOlumin0us atndaVits sad 20
contain abundant proof to sustain them are on ME
In the office OF the Attorney General ~ Is con
Hidered remarkable instance OF ExeeutlVe Iehehcy
that an officlal with such charges hanging over hn
shouid have been permitted 10 remain III ONCE ior
eighteen months without having eompieeeT Fihu-
Gated himself. . =. i, 4,,t--,..o.. 4,
about TO visit Washington to mako reply 10 tue ac-
cusations. Should ho be removed, as seems prooa
bic, Mr. kimhal, proprietor OF the hlmDal HOUSE,