The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-05-29
Several Mentioned, But The President Is
Giving 10 Attention 10 The Natter.
THE SECRETARY'S POLITICAL CAREER.
Demands of Those Who Have Paid Their
Inoome-Tax-Troop A To Visit the
Virginia Battle Grounds
Washin. ton Gossip.
TIMES BUREAU. RArLEY BUILDING,
WASHINGTON. MAY y. 1888.

were sleeping, the lights were shaueN
and sobs only broke the silence IN the
apartments at the Arlington Hotel where
the dying Secretary OF State was lying
An hour later and the drowsy operator
at a thousand stations was aroused at MS
call. and heard in the mysterious clicking
that Walter ~. Gresham mad passed
beyond the pale OF mortality, ana MS
spirit borne into the infinite beyond.
At was scarcely unexpected news, save
from the fact that death itseN Always
seems unexpected when its final hour
has come While the full three-sc0re
and ten had not been reached. yet Judge
Gresham was sixty-three years Of age
and had borne for nearly half OF his ne
perilous wounds from the war, ana
temperament impaired b. the exciting
scores OF half a century OF busy ana
varied adventures.
Secretary Gresham was OF the very
highest type OF American citizenship. lie
was just as a Judge and Judlclous as
a statesman He was one OF mat charac-
ter Of men who are absolutely true 10
their convictions. lie studied men ana
affairs closely. and was always courage
ouu enough to announce and espOuse
what he honestly believed 10 be right.
HIS political career began IN the Ike
publican party. and his merited elevation
10 the bench was through that medium
but his famous decisions IN the apash
railroad rcceiverships. and In establishing
the primary right Of wage-eafnefs on
railroads above any mortgages were
Democratic 10 the core. and whlle ne dec-
orously avoided politics as judge. IL was
known for years that his sympathies
were lodged with the fundamental prin-
ciuleg Of fhe Democratic party.
Mr. Cleveland was much criticised Tor
appointing into his Cabinet man so re-
Gently affiHating with the party. brit the
President knew the man beyond the mar
r1w limits Of partisanship. and his SER
vices have beep signally suggestive or the
virtue Of Mr.. Clevelands Judgment .
To-day. however. all tongces are silent.
and disparity gives place to praise. To-
day caustic criticism yields 10 candof'
and while his virtues are lauded, all ven
ON is lost. He was an American cltl]eh'
and did his duty as he saw II.
Including both terms of Mr. Cleveland
this is but the second time that death
has invaded the ranks Of his Cabinet
In his first term Secretary OF the Ireasu'
ry Daniel Manning died. and now IN
this his Secretary Of State Is called away.
There is, Of course. even at this I'M
happy time. speculations as 10 the sue
trESNTEnln
is only speculation. as the President with
every single remaining member Of his
Cabinet. spent most of the day at the
Arlington Hotel. and over at the White
House all visitors were denied.
Rumors of the recall of Ambassador
Bayard are rife; hints of the promotion
OF Assistant Secretary Uhl are heard ,
the name of Whitney is whispered. and
the change of PostmasteT-General Wilson
20 the vacant portfolio. and the recall
Of Don Dickinson TO his former duties
is suggested but surmises are vain, and
nothing will be known until the sad fune-
raj services are finally perfected.
CLAIMS OF ISCoMF-TAx PAYERS.
Thousands OF corporations and persons
who made the returns required under
the income-tax law are now besiesing the
Commissioner Of Internal Revenue TO
have their returns delivered back 10
them. The Commissioner holds that these
papers are simply government records,
and as such he has no authority 10 per-
nit them 10 pass out Of his custody
Under the instructions issued last week
by the Commissioner. all returns, re-
cords. and lists. I'm short. every vestge
Of the income-tax that existed in
the offices OF the several collectors
throughout the country, have been sent
into Washington. and are now In the Gus
tody OF the Bureau Of Internal Revenue
This action reduces 10 the minimum the
chances Of the items OF any return be-
coming public. the custodian of this mass
OF records being now one chief Of divis-
ion I'm the Office of the Commissioner. in
stead Of the siNty-three collectors and
the large number Of deputies and clerks
employed under them. agsregating several
thousand persons.
Again. the giving back Of the original
returns made 10 any corporation or in
dlyidual. who might feel disposed 10 de-
mand the same Of the Commissioner.
would not accomplish what such appli-
cants appear to desire: namely, the en-
tire withdrawal from the government files
Of all Information concerning their pri-
vate affairs. such as was required IN
filling out their lncOme-tax returns, as all
this information has been thrice trans
cribed. and is also contained In the rec
ord-hooks. monthly reports. and assess
ment lists prepared by the collectors for
the settlement Of their accounts with
The United States
In view Of all these facts It will be
clearly seen by every intelligent person
that the action of the Commissioner has
been eminenuy wise and proper. and
mass OF Information concerning the pri-
waite business OF taxpayers. that has acc
cumulated under the operation Of the
income-tax law. Ultimately II is believed
that Congress will authorize the dcstruc-
ton OF this mass Of returns and records.
and when such authority is granted him
the taxpayers OF the country may rest
assured that the Commissioner OF Inter
nal Revenue viii see that these official
records will be destroyed without any one
being able 10 intercept any record which
- been forwarded TO this department.
TO VISIT EGISIA DATTLE-GGoUNDs
Troop 4, Of the National Guard. OF the
District of Columbia. which IS known az
the Presidents Troop. will leave here on
Saturday. June 18TH for trip over the
battle-ground OF Virginia. which VIII take
fftcer days. covering 9Z miles. Their
journey will commence en- Saturday az
early morning. and they will arrive at
Fairfax Courthouse, and march 10 Bull
Run, and camp on the battle-helds. From
Gainesville TO Warrenton all next day
until the following day, when the march
Will be resumed 10 a POINT near Mar
shall, where a bivouac will be erected.
From Marshall they Will go 10 Front
Royal thence to StrasbLrs passing Fish
ers Hill and the battlefield Of Cedar
Creek. thence 10 Winchester. and renIain
for a day visiting the battle-helds in and
around this historic spot. From Wincies-
ter 10 Castleman's Ferry, on the Shenan-
doah, and bivouac, from there TO Lees
bug. remaining tive days; thence TO Falls
Church. and 10 Washington. The OIL
GERS of this troop consist Of Captain II.
5. Barbour: First Lieutenant Charles L.