St. Paul daily globe., 1885-03-17
A NEW REVENUE CHIEF.
Thompson Knocked Out by Miller's
Appointment as Commissioner of
the Internal Revenue.
Editor WattersOn Fears That Tt Is q
Blow at Real Revenue Reform
Randall ON Top.
Cleveland Literally Cleaning Out the Augean
Stables-Bayard's Successor ChOsen-Mug
wump Beecher's Mission.
Big Indian Chief interviewing the Secretary
Of the Interior-Saddle Bags Mcdonald
to Be Cared For.
Special to the Globe j..

Special to the Globe.
WASHINGTON, March 16.-The president
to-day nominated Joseph s. Miller of Wheel
ing, W. Va, to be commissioner of internal
revenue. Soon after the nomination was
sent to the senate special meeting of the
finance committee was called and favorable
action was taken. This will insure Mr.. Mil
ler's confirmation tomorrow. Since
the Inauguration of the presi-
dent there has been an animated
struggle for this position. Before the last con-
gress adjourned Phil Thompson of Ken
tucky was an open aspirant. He secured in
his favor the recommendation of ninety-five
Democratic members of the house of repre-
sentatives and seventeen Democratic SEN
ators. For week or more his personal
friends under the q.
LEADERSHIP OF SPEAKER CARLISLE
and Senator Beck have been untiring in
their efforts to secure for him the
place. len days ago they felt assured
he was certain OF the appointment.
The propriety of the appointment was the
cause of his defeat. First, he came from a
state where whisky is crop of more import
ance than wheat again be has always been a
jealous champion of the distilling trade, and
has been prominent advocate of every
measure leading to the extension of the
bonded period. When on several occasions
delegations representing the whisky interest
came here, asking for remedial legislation,
Thompson's committee rooms have been
their headquarters. Further Thompson has
a twin brother who is
DIsTILLER IN KENTUCKY,
and who with others was largely benefited by
the recent extension of the bonded limit
made under regulations issued by ex-Secre-
tary McCulloch. All of these elements
eutered into the contest to Thompson's dis
advantage, as his capacity, ability and integ-
rity were never disputed.
Miller, the appointee, was for number of
years auditor of the state of West Virginia.
He had behind him more than local or state
backing. In sense the old tariff fight, or
rather the dissensions the Morrison hori-
zontal bill provoked,
OPERATED IN HIS FAVOR.
1t has been said that Randall was the hot
champion for Miller. This is true and not
true. Randall has a double-barrelled at
tack of infammatory gout, and has not
been able to be about, yet as
between Thompson and Miller he favored the
latter, because Millcr's views were more those
of the ex-speaker on the tariff and revenue
questions. In this way Miller received a
powerful backing from more than one promi-
nent Pennsylvanian. Operating against
Thompson. too, was well grounded report
that Secretary Manning may review and
modify, if not entirely aunul the regulations
issued by Secretary McCulloch which gives
the
WHISKY TRADE
several additional months in which to pay
taxes, already past due. In this view of a
possible contingency Secretary Manning felt
he would be embarrassed with Mr.. Thompson
at the head of the revenue bureau for the
reason that he was one of the instrumental
ties operating to prevail upon Secretary Nc
Culioch to issue the regulations. which
may be revised. The fight had
become such hot one that on
Saturday Secretary Manning decided in
Mjller's favor, and so advised his immediate
personal friends. 1t had been the original
intention to have held the nomination back
until Wednesday to go in with batch Of
others, but as each day brought its trouble
to the president and his secretary of the
treasury, it was thought best to end the
matter Thus the nomn alton to-day.