New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-18
THE CASE OF COLLECTOR WILSOM
PROOF THAT HIS REMOVAL WAS NOT FOR NEFFI-
CIENCY-HIs PLACE WANTED FOR GRANT
MAN.

PROOF THAT HIS REMOVAL WAS NOT FOR NEFFI-
CIENCY-HIs PLACE WANTED FOR GRANT
MAN.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
WASHINGTON, May Ian attempt has been
made to give the impression that Internal Revenue
Collector Wilson OF the Louisville District, was re-
moved for inehciency. This impression is not just
General Rauus zeal to organize efficient corps of
collectors and his notable in bringing the
service to a high standard, are well known, and it
would naturally be expected that where the inter-
ests of the service in any required the removal
of an officer the Internal Revenue Bureau would he
prompt to suggest 1t but no such suggestion was
made by the Bureau in this case. Mr. Wilson states
chat after the new nominations had been sent III,
the President, Secretary of the Treasury and
Commissioner of Internal Revenue all assured
him that there was trouble with his record. Mr.
Wilson also states that he is informed that General
Grant made personal request for the appointment
of Buckner.
The report upon Mr.. Wilson's Office, which is
chiefly quoted against HIM, was made by Agent
Marvin. on November 8. 1881. in which the Office
was graded No o." good, but deficient in some
particulars, which can be remedied.D This report
notices a number of faults and adds: The Office is
in some confusion but this is due partly and pei
haps mainly, to the presence of workmen putting
in heaters A force of workmen was in
the Office for about four months, rem
dering efficient work very difficult,
and it was during this period that Marvin's
report was made. The report also stated that part
of the defects noted were due to the sickness OF the
deputy collector
Agent Hale, one of the best inspectors IN the ser
vice, was at once sent to make a second examina-
ton His report is dated only nine days later than
Marvin's and is much more favorable. 1t said:
IA not nd the Office smooth running cOndi-
ton that desired but have scOvered ample explana
tons and reasons Tor many defects reported upon.
superlneuded the transfer of the office to Collector
Wilson the first day of March lAs since which date
perseveriDg and energetic person than himself
when just entering upon the discharge OF duties 80 III
pOrtant and unfalnlllar
Details are then given-successive sicknesses
among the force; conduct of a deputy who had long
had an honorable record, but whom it was found
necessary to dismiss; the building undergoing re-
pairs for the entire summer and fall" y; not of
the collectors rOoms IN fit condition to transact
public business III" dirt, disorder, discomfort and
confusion, etc" The agent added that his SYM
pathies" were with Mr.. Wilson " TO a considerable
extent lie says:
have not sought for excuses to explain the short
comngs IN the conduct OF the Office business, but deem
II only Just to Hector Wilson that the dis
advantages that he has had to contend
against should be made known to the Commissioner.
With his untortunae experience OF his rsteg months
in the service not strange that he mas been unable
to give entire satisfaction TO the Commlsslher pre-
dict that if Collector son given the additional ntp
Uded, Office VIII he brought nret-
condition. The Office is entitled To the grade Ol
class, but under the instructions governing Lay &C
ton, / am not authorized so to rate IT,"
lie rated it at one and half, or Every good, but
not quite perfect" The help recommended was not
gwen until January l. 1882. The last report was
made by Agent W heeler, on February 20, 1882. 1t
says:
| made a critical examination of this
Office had been iuma ed III the press of the city
such examination would disclose something
wrong the accounts anu the collector being new 10
the aud several Of the employees inexperienced L.
their official duties, considered IL important that Inc
exnct affairs OF the office should be maze
known. have examined this office many times
aud frankly say tnat nave never found II III con
dlton better to merit the grade OF No. tldn now
fee that was little extra careful and purPoseIy So
knowing that at the two previous examinations sS'Ta
complaint had been discovered ana sulncien'
time elapsed all Irregularities To Dc corrected
determined TO learn II tnty nAu Dteh'
The report grades the office No. l, which means
"excellent-everytning perfect OF nearly So" Gen
eral Ralln wrote MI. Wilson: " The general con-
dilon Of your office Is excellent aud fully entities
Won TO the hlgucst rank In the scale OF merit,
namely No. /, trst-class. Accept my congratula-
tionsN little more than u month alter neeler S
report the nomination TO supersede wilson was
sent TO the Senate. This has not yet been con-
lrmcd