Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1889-03-20
WASHINGTON LETTER.
(Fnm GUY Regular Corr->rrn'rni)

President Iiarrison's appointment
Of Corporal Tanner to he Commis-
sioner of Pensions is great victory
for the ring Of Washington pension
sharks, all of whom are rejoicing At
their prospects for growing rich dur
ing four years of Tanners favorable
decisions. Preparations are being
made to flood the country with cir
cuiars inviting every ex-soldier, in.
Guiding those who have been refused
pensions, TO make new applications
for them.
Within an hour after Tanner nomi-
nation was sent to the Senate, one
agent here ordered 100000 circulars
printed, and bought fifty baskets Of
champagne TO celebrate his brilliant
victory. Conservative people are
somewhat alarmed at the appointment
Il Mr.. Tanner, who has long been
known to favor the giving Of indi-
scr!minate pensions to every soldier
who served three months in the Union
Army. Our pension list is now near
~ 100000, 0U0 year, and it will be
IN Mr.. Tanners power to largely in
crease that amount bv decisions under
the present laws. There is some talk
of trying to defeat his confirmation bv
the Senate, but it would hardly be
possible, as every Republican will
vote for him-they dare not do other
wise.
a gentleman who is horoughlv
familiar with Pension Office practice
and who also knows Mr.. Tanner we'll.
said to-day: The fiscal year beginn-
ing the first of next July will show a
deficiency in the Pension appropria-
ton of from $l0,000,O0O to $4,000
600 owing to the construction Tanner
will put upon existing laws, and it's
dollars to pennies that when the
estimates are made for tue fiscal year
lS9O-9l, that pensions will be put
down for at least 100000, 600.
Great Scott" And the war was
over twenty-five wears ago. All the
poor newspaper men will have to be-
come pension agents and get rich.
That the best thing ! can think Of.
The Irish element in the Republic
can party although small, has Just
shown its power by preventing White
law Reds being appointed Minister
to England. Reid had set his heart
on going to London, but he got left,
he was nominated Minister
to France as compensation for his
rutfled feelings.
President Harrison has issued a
proclamation opening up portion of
Oklahoma Territory to settlement.
There i. no good reason why it should
not have been issued two weeks ago.
Justice Stanley Matthews, of the
Supreme Court, who has been sick
since last summer, was on "Wednesday
last reported to be convalescent. On
FRIDAY he died. And then the truth
came out. His family knew of his
dangerous condition and had no hope
of his recovery. but decided to keep
it from the public as long as possible.
1t is almost impossible to get the
truth about a prominent man who
happens to get sick in Washing ton.
Just why the public should be fooled
is question that has never been
satisfactorily answered, and it would
seem to be about time to stop living
in regard to such things. The funeral
of the late Justice took place this
afternoon from the family residence
1t was attended by the President and
Cabinet, the Supreme Court and the
Senate. After the services the re-
mains were placed on a special train
md started for Glendale, Ohio, &C
by the Supreme Court.
A lively fight is going on among
he Republicans over the position. of
Public Printer. In order to narrow
he lines somewhat Mr.. Harrison has
announced that the position shall 60
o the West. 1t is difficult to say
Who will win in the final rounds
which are now on, but the impression
3 that Mr.. Merridith, of Chicago, or
)sburne, of California, is the coming
men.
The negro callers at the White
House have been quite numerous of
ate, but 50 far the President has
,iven the colored brother nothing at |
Ill, and he is getting somewhat dis
outraged.
Gen Badeau is trying to prevent
he confirmation of Fred. Grant, who
las been appointed Minister to Aus
ria but there is little prospects of
lis succeeding. Fred. Grant is not a
brilliant man by any means, but he
las not openly been guilty of any
hing disgraceful, while Badean, bv
lis action In suing the wife of the |
nan who raised him from abiect
poverty to affluance and kept him ND
or years, forfeited the respect Of
men.
The Senators are growing restless
bout adjournment, it is not Ii civ |
hat they will remain longer than
bout April 9Th, as that is about the
ime set for several of the junketing
ommittees to get started ON their ex-
ursions.
BATON ROUGE, La, March o.