One writing that might put this discussion into context is Mark Twain's "A
Humane Word from Satan" -- a letter signed "Satan" published in _Harper's
Weekly_, April 8, 1905 and later collected in _$30,000 Bequest and Other
Stories_. Twain defends the action of John D. Rockefeller (of Standard Oil)
before the tax board and writes:

There isn't a rich man in your vast city who doesn't perjure himself every
year before the tax board. They are all caked with perjury, many layers
thick. Iron-clad, so to speak. If there is one that isn't, I desire to
acquire him for my museum, and will pay Dinosaur rates.
- "A Humane Word from Satan"

I have never researched what was going on with Rockefeller in the
newspapers during this time frame that made Twain pen the "Satan" letter in
support of Rockefeller. But it might be of interest. Along this same line
of thought -- the Henry H. Rogers (also of Standard Oil) financial records
of  exactly how he wheeled and dealed for Twain (after the bankruptcy
brought on by the Paige typesetter) have never been found and are believed
to have been destroyed by Rogers or his family after Rogers's death.

Barb