Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-02-05
MR.. MACKEY's DENIAL.
Washington, d. c.. Feb. 4, 1908

To the Editor Of the Alexandria Gazstts;
snow YOU do not wish 70 do me sn 10
i1s,ice and I therefore beg thai you vii
publish this letter 10 your newspaper
In correction of an article appearing
| in your paper 10 substance that l hat
spoken Of Captain Besttie 10 disrespect
fol terms to the Commissioner OF Inter
mai Revenue, Mr.. Capers.
I never uttered the name of M.
Beattie 70 Commissioner Ospers in my
life. never uttered an nnkind word
of Captain Beattie to any person In my
life. never saw Captain Bealtie 10
my life, and when I went to see the
Commissioner of Internal Revenue
did not know whether Captain Beattie
was an old man, or young man, OF
anything whatever about BIN. l talked
to Commissioner Cspers about the gene
raj policy IF the government in letting
of persons convicted OF violations OF the
u. 8. internal revenue laws with the
mere payment Of the special internal
revenue tax Of $25, with view to
having the Department of Justice In
struct the United States attorneys to
prosecute persons violating the laws, so
that a fine or imprisonment would re-
suit, Is no person will take out U. 8.
internal revenue license when be knows
If caught selling without license 20
punishment IL to be inflicted or fine
imposed.
/ also talked to the Commissioner ofIn-
ternal Revenue about the government
having no facilities for the detection Of
violations of the internal revenue laws,
and told him that had frequently en-
ployed detectives at considerable expense
and had made out a great many cases
against men who we're engaged in the IL
legal sale of liquor, but that the county
was too poor to DO the work properly, and
that IL the government would take up
the matter and employ men to detect
violations OF the revenue laws In my
county thought great deal OF good
could be accomplished. told him also
that my experience had been that the
government was glad to use evidence
procured at great cost to the county,
bat had done no original work IN that
line to my knowledge. Of course kne"
that Captain Bsattie could no more &C.
complish anything by playing detective
than / could myself. and what l said
was not intended as a reflection upon
him, though l can see how the Com
missioner of Revenue might have put
that construction upon my remarks.
The fact is, never made any complaint
or criticism OF any one. Thereafter l
got q very insulting letter signed by
Captain Beattie, and l Inquired OF sew
eraI gentlemen 10 my county as 10
who Captain Beattie was, aud from what
I learned he is very excellent man,
and an old Confederate solder with an
enviable record.
Immediately wrote him ignoring bis
offensive letter to me, and expressing
my regret about the matter having
taken the turn that il did. l have tried
TO do my duty IS an official without fear
or favor, and the fact that was elected
four years ago by but two votes, and
was reelected for four years beginning
January 1st, 1908, by three hundred
and one majority, ought to convince
any one that the people of Alexandra
county who know me better than any
people 10 the world, have confidence In
my truthfulness and integrity.
am taking no interest 10 politics,
and do not expect to be candidate Tor
any Office, and / have no axes to grind
and no iavors to ask Of any one, and for
that reason l cannot understand why
the Alexandria papers should constantly
nag at me, and publish matters OF small
moment to the public With display Of
feeling and unjust criticism that is no!
warranted by any facts.
Sincerely yours.
ORANDAL MACKEY
Attorney for Common wealth.
THE Gazette had no intention o.
doing any injustice to Mr.. Mackey, bu'
the article published last Saturday ID