A. B.
Johnson. The order of assignment I do not recall. Mr. Estes went to
New York in a few months, where he engaged in business. Mr. Parnell
remained in the department many years and until his death. Mr. Johnson
was subsequently transferred to the Lighthouse Board, of which he is
the chief clerk.
We first considered what blanks would be needed to enable assessors
and collectors to perform their duties and make proper records and
returns. Then we devised the books for the local offices, and for the
offices in Washington. There was but one error as tested by experience
in the preparations of the blanks and books, and the forms were
followed in the department, except so far as changes in the law
required alteration. Thus far there has never been a fraud or
defalcation that was attributable to inadequate checks in the system.
While I was at the head of the office, Mr. Chase never required me to
retain a clerk who was incompetent or untrustworthy. There were times,
however, when he looked to appointments with reference to Presidential
preferences, and he always considered himself in the line of succession.
Mr. Chase's mental processes were slow, but time being given, he had
the capacity to form sound opinions. Not infrequently, when I called
at his office for conference, he would say: "My mind is preoccupied--
you must either decide for yourself, or call again.
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