The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-11-13
Ransom ?. MeCrilIis Of MethueR
Removed.
Charged With Dishones.
ty by Coll. Gill.
Collector McCrillis' Friends Are
Indignant.

Boston, November 12.--Ransom r. Nc
Crillis, deputy collector Of internal reve-
nue., who resides In Methuen and Is as
signed to what is known as district
No. s, has been removed from Office by
Collector. James ID. Gin.
McCrillis' removal took place Satur-
day, after Collector gill and Deputies
SWEET and Keefe had made q brief exami-
nation OF the condition OF affairs in the
district. MoCriilis. 1t Is said, Is short In
his accounts. just how much the collec-
tor says ne is unable to determine until
complete examination OF the books,
papers, stamps, etc., credited to Nc
Crillis, have been examined. The
deputy's removal win come as great
surprise In the district. He was ap-
pointed deputy collector May 8, 1897, by
Collector GIN. being highly recommended
by Congressman Moody and Knox. Mr..
MoCriilis has always claimed a close po-
litical friendship with Senator Lodge.
The district to which he was assigned Is
an important one, including Lowell,
Lawrence, Haverhill, Newburyport,
Amesbury, and Gloucester. His financial
dealings amount to about $40. 900 year,
but this does not represent the entire col-
lecttons of the districta as many business
men remit their take 'rsct to headquar-
ters In Boston. Or saturday hast, Col
lector GIL sent the following letter Of dis
missal to Deputy McCrillis:
''Mr. Ransom Il. MoCrillis, Methuen,
Mass:
Dear Sir:--A personal investigation
made by myself on November z, at
Gloucester ana on November at Lowell,
Lawrence and HaverhiIl, satisfies me be-
yond doubt that you are neither truth
full nor honest, and that your habits and
character as a man entirely unfit you for
any responsible position in the internal
revenue service.
''I therefore revoke your commission as
a deputy collector, to take effect inmedi-
ately ami direct that you turn over to
Deputy Collectors Augustus I. Swess'
and Thomas keefe all moneys, retur.
keys to the office at Lowell, books.
papers, forms, etc, now In your possess
sion.
"Due notice will be given you when
am ready to see you.
Respectfully yours,
"James L. GIL, Collector"
MCRILLIs' FRIENDS MAD.
Lawrence, Macs, November 12.-Mr.
MoUrillis' friends in this city and Me-
thuen, resent bitterly the intimation by
Collector Gill that McCrillis Is short In
his accounts. His bondsmen, they say,
amply secure the government. They say
that the real reason is political one, and
grows out OF the contest for the kepubli-
can Congressional nomination in the fifth
district. Mr.. McCriilis, previous to the
caucuses was friendly to Col Butler Ames
of Lowell, but after that candidates de-
feat. turned in and helped elect Mr.. Knox,
with the consent of Collector gill, who
gave the Congressman letter, authoriz-
ing Mr.. MoCriilis to omit his daily re-
ports while working for Knox. McCrillis
went TO Lowell and put in several days
there. The Lowell Democratic papers ami
madivertsd severely on the part MoCrillis
was taxing in ths mpaign. Knox was
elected. Two days after the election, Col
lector Gill began to find reasons for Nc
Crillis' removal. The latter told several
people here last Friday that ne expected
decapitation for the part he played IN the
caucus fight In Meth 1en. AS the result
shows. he was not disappoin ted.
Mr.. McCrinis could not be seen tonight
but well known business man who
stands closely to McCriiiis said that suits
for damages might be expected against
the collector for alleged defamation of
character.
MR.. GILLS INVESTIGATION.
Boston, November 12.-In the course OF
lengthy interview, Collector GIL said
that for some time past he has noticed
turns, but 1t was not until about two
weeks ago that he was convinced that
there was something wrong with his
deputy's finances. He began person.
al examination and soon satisfied him.
self that McCrillis needed further in
vestigation. He discovered that McCril-
lis had held back various taxes paid
by divers merchants in his district and
complaints were being received that In
ternal revenue stamps for which MoCriilis
had been paid, had not been delivered.
The collector says that in order TO ascer-
tain the full amount of McCriIlis's short
age, the account of every merchant In
the district will have to be examined
and this VIII take some time.
II have already enough Of evidence,
said Mr.. GIL this evening. IN discussing