The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-12-15

The result was seen later in the fol-
lowing telegram, which was received by
Capt. MCGOWAN:
Atlanta. Ca. Dec a. -ss4-Capt. J. J.
MCGOWAN, Tax Collector Chatham County
Il am Informed that you decline taxes
rendered by agents OF taxpayers. know
no law giving tax collectors authority 10
decline any taxes when rendered and
would instruct against such course.
William A. Wright
Controller General.
The Myers men had evidently wired the
controller Of Capt. NcGowan's refusal
and the above telegram was the result
Capt. MCGOWAN made the following reply:
Savannah, Ga, Dec. A.. 1s94.-Hon. W.
A Wright, Controller General, Atlanta,
Ga: You are misinformed. I am engaged
In collecting taxes pursuant to law. and
in manner fair to all parties. l do not
allow any person to monopoize the time
and services OF the Office by the offer TO
pay the taxes of large number OF per
sons, but have made a rule allowing any
one person TO pay as many as six persons
taxes. James J. MCGOWAN,
Tax Collector.
The Myers men did not demand that
Capt. McGowan should receive payment
for the 100 polls after the receipt of the
telegram from the controller general.
Mr.. Buttimer stated TO "A Morning News
reporter that he had waived the point. as
presented by him before the receipt of the
telegram from the controller general. His
explanation was not accepted by the Dun
can men, however, as according TO their
tally of the men who had gotten into the
collectors Office at that time the Myers
men had not gotten In anything like 100
names.
The belief expressed among the Duncan
leaders of this move on the part Of the
Myers men Is that IL is an attempt to pre-
pare the way for a legal point to be
sprung later Their idea is that after the
registration closes tonight the Myers
leaders will make a move in the courts
to have the names of their friends whose
taxes have been paid or for whom money
to pay their taxes has been sent by letter
to the collector. entered upon the registra-
ton books on the ground that the money
to pay their taxes was offered to the
tax collector and refused, and that they
were thus deprived of their right as citl-
zens to register and vote by no fault of
their own. The point viii doubtless be
sprung, if there is a sufficient number Of
such voters unregistered to make it worth
the while.
Capt MCGOWAN was seen at his Office
last night. He was evidently very much
nettled at the continued interference in
the conduct Of his Office from Atlanta.
My relations with the controller gen
eral have always been very pleasant in
deed. and / have been frequently assured
by him of his confidence in my ability
to direct the affairs of this Office
and his personal esteem. II would seem
that he had found reason to change his
mind"
Capt MCGOWAN said he believed that
under the law he is legally entitled to
arrange his own office hours for the con-
duct of the business Of his flee.
THE hours from a. m to p. m. have
been the business hours of this office for
more than twenty years" he said land
in all that time the business Of the state
and county has been transacted regu-
larly to the satisfaction of the state and
county authorities and without com
plant from the public. If many people
now find themselves in danger of being
prevented from registering because they
have not paid their taxes it is no fault Of
mine. This Office has been open for the
receipt of taxes since October and there
has been ample opportunity for every citi-
zen to pay his taxes before this rush be-
gan.
my bondsmen protested against my
compliance with the order of the con-
troller general extending the hours of the
Office because of the great interference 1t
would cause with the receipt of property
taxes. However, as it was for only three
days l decided to waive the point and
comply with the order of the controller
general.
Capt. MCGOWAN said he will continue his
present plan of receiving not more than
six poll tax payments from one person, as
he believes il to be due in fairness to both
parties that he shall do so. He had an ex-
perience of this kind once before, when
he first entered the tax collectors Office.
It was in the early seventies, and the re-
publicans were in power. Capt MCGOWAN
had been elected as a democrat, thrown
out by the republicans, and his successor,
falling to qualify, he had been appointed
to fill the place by the ordinary, Mr..
Witmore, on the petition of the business
men of the city An election was near
at hand. One morning Col. James Atkins,
| Col Wilson, now of Atlanta and three
other republican leaders, entered the
office. Each had a large envelope in his
| hand.
Are you the tax collector" inquired
| Col Wilson.
| Il am" replied Capt. MCGOWAN.
This envelope" said Col Wilson. hand
| ing the envelope ITO Capt. MCGOWAN,
| contains list of 100 names with money
to pay taxes due by them. Do you accept
! it?"
/ Capt MCGOWAN considered the matter
| for a moment and then declined to ac-
| cept the envelope
"Au right. sir" said Col. Wilson, as he
! stepped aside, and Col. Atkins came for
ward. He repeated exactly the same
words used by Col. Wilson, and was, in like
manner refused. The other three came
! forward in turn and went through with
the same formula, each meeting with the
| same refusal.
The party then bid Capt. MCGOWAN
good morning and walked out of the Office.
/ The incident became noised around the
/ court house and caused some excitement.
/ BY the advice of friends Capt MCGOWAN
sought legal advice, and obtained an
opinion from prominent lawyer, entering
into the matter in detail, and sustaining
him in his action. The opinion in effect
was that, within the law the conduct of
the business of his. Office was left to the
I discretion of the tax collector.
The republican leaders took no fur
| Their steps in the matter, however, and
! the point was never tested. Capt. Nc
| GoYan has the opinion yet and intends to
look it up.