The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-03-28
partisans must go, and suddenly"
COMMISSIONERS TANNERS POLICY,

partisans must go, and suddenly"
COMMISSIONER TANNERS POLICY.
The soldier-hating papers are having
spasms over the appointment of Corpl Tan
ner as Commissioner of Pensions. This was
to be expected They would have had con-
vulsions over the appointment of any man
of pronounced friendship for veterans. The
kind Of a Commissioner who would suit
them would be one who would cut off about
four-ffths of the pensioners at present on
the roll, and make it an offense punishable
by Imprisonment at hard labor for anybody
to apply either for an original pension or an
increase.
According to these gentlemen, the new
Commissioner meditates something like
knocking of the doors of the Treasury vaults
with sledge, and inviting the soldiers to
help themselves. They are wailing about
the probable disappearance of the surplus,
the vast increase of the already enormous
pension appropriations" etc.
OF course, most of this is arrant nonsense,
as is most of all that these papers say about
pensions and veterans.
Commissioner Tanner is an officer ap-
pointed to execute the laws, and he will
execute them as he finds them, or as they
are amended he is high-minded, capable
conscientious man. who has the highest re-
spect for the law and his duty under it. 1t
| viii not be an iota easier for an undeserving
man to get pension than it has been. The
probability is that it Will be made more
| difficult, as he improves the administration
of his Office. No real safeguard of the Treas
ury viii be abolished, or made whit less
protective Of the public money. It is absurd
to say anything to the contrary. All the
restrictions of rigid pension laws viii hedge
him in as they have hedged in his predeces-
sors. As faithful official he will scrupu-
lousy regard these. The only modification
of their strictness the only alteration Of
their terms, must come from Congress
which alone has the power to make and
amend laws.
All that Commissioner Tanner can do, and
all that his most enthusiastic supporters ex.
pect of him, is that he viii develop the ma
chineTy of the Pension Bureau to its utmost
efficiency, and dispose of the accumulated
cases there in the shortest possible time
that he VIII interpret the laws laid dow1
for the government of the Pension Bureau
in spirit of equity and justice, carrying
, out the desire Of the people that every hon
est, deserving claimant shall receive hi
rights without delay, no other impedimen
being placed in his way than is absolutel,
essential to protect the Government from
| imposition; that all reasonable doubts shall
be resolved in favor of the man who servet
r his country faithfully; and that he vii
J. infuse into his subordinates as the dominan
!, idea that the pension claimant must not b
Q treated as conspirator seeking to defrau,
j the Government, and who must be frustrat
s ed, if possible, but that he is entitled to Ger
tain Prescriptions in his favor, and no pre-
5 JUDGES against him; that his claim must b
/, examined promptly and decided impartially
y giving his testimony fair weight and influ
ence.
0 For anything beyond this the comrade
d must look to the lawmaking power The
must look to Congress for an extension an
liberalization of the pension Iaws-for til
> most that they have the right to expect froI
o the country.
1t is absurd for the soldier-hating paper