The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-10-20
The Appointment Creates Surprise, but Is Re-
garded as Popular One, Even the Ex-
Commissioner Heartily Indorsing 1t.
His Record as a Soldier, Lawyer, and in
the Revenue Service Without a Flaw.
Dilemma of the Maritime Conference Regard
ing Stenogrspher-How Claim Agent
Lost Big Fee-Bond Purchases.
TANNERS SUCCESSOR.
Gen. Green B. Raum Appointed Commit
sioner OF Pensions-A Popular Man.

Gen. Green b. Raum Appointed Commits
sioner Of Pensions-A Popular Man.
epecal to tho Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Oct. 19-President Harri-
son made to-day what promises to be one
OF his most popular appointments. 1t was
that OF General Green B. Raum, of Illinois,
to succeed Corporal Tanner as Commission
or Of Pensions. The selection was officially
announced at 10 o'clock this morning and
up to late tonight not a single unfavorabIe
word has been uttered against it by any
one. General Raum combines all the nec-
essary attributes to make q most excellent
and satisfactory Commissioner He
was q splendid soldier of the Gen.
John A. Logan class. He is a popular
Il. A. r. man. He is splendid
lawyer. familiar with not only the laws,
but the rules and practices of the Pension
office. He for two terms occupied the office
of Commissioner of Internal revenue, and
displayed rare executive ability. General
Raum goes into the Office better equipped
in every way than any of his predecessors
He has no hobbies, no prejudices His or
ganization of the internal revenue branch
of the Treasury Department was perfect, and
it was only necessary for President Harri-
son to be reminded of his administration of
that Office. and the fact that he would ac-
accept the commissionership of pensions. to
induce action.
The first mention of General Raumsn
for the comm;ssionership of pensions was,
probably, made by Senator Mitchell, of Ore
gon. 1t was almost three weeks ago. Pass
ing the bureau of the Journal, the Sem
/ I
were President Harrison, l would
send for Gen. Green b. Raum, of Illi-
nois,, and induce HIM. if possible,
to take hold of the Pension Office. He is
the best man for it in the country. 1t has
just occurred to me. and am going straight
.ion.D
This the senator did, and there is no
doubt that that talk and Others the Senator
had with public men. who made further
suggestions at the executive mansion, led
to the appointment Senator Mitchell is
naturally elated tonight.
Ex-Commissioner Tanner said to your
correspondent, as soon as he heard of the
appointment: "it is the best selection that
could have been made. General Raum was
gallant soldier. is a good man. fine law
yer, with liberal views on the subject of
pensions. and am satisfied he will do all
|. General Dudley, Colonel Odella and other
local G. A. r: men spoke in the same terms
of General Raum, while Representatives
Burrows. of Michigan. and Anderson, of
and many others, say the selection was
the best that could have been made. Sena-
tor Manderson, of Nebraska, said: 1T is
an excellent appointment. and a happy. So
luton OF all our woes. General Raum is
| good soldier. good lawyer and good citi-
zen. He will perform the duties of the
Office we'll"
The appointment was a great surprise to
almost every body. 1t is not likely that
dozen persons in the city anticipated it,
and those were sworn to secrecy. The
President last night believed it likely that
he would make the appointment, but did
not reach a final conclusion till after 9
| O'clock this morning.
law or held Office here for twelve
| years or more, his appointment is charged
| to Illinois, where he votes. General Raum
was one of the original Grant men. and the
stalwarts will rejoice over his preferment:
The General was sworn i'll at noon and
now has charge of the Office. The work
| will proceed as heretofore next week. Pol
| iticians and Pension Office employees be-
| lieve that Deputy-commissioner Smith and
ian Secretary hbussey viii retire soon
General Raum was born in Golconda,
Pope county, Illinois, Dec. 3. 1S29 He re-
ceived common-school education, studied
law, and was admitted to the bar in 1853.
In 1856 he removed with his family to Kan
sas, and at once affiliated with the free
| State party. Becoming obnoxious to the
pro-slavery faction, he returned the follow
| ing year to Illinois and settled at Harris
burg. At the opening of the civil war he
| made his first speech as 'war" Democrat,
while he was attending court at Metropolis,
Illinois. Subsequently he entered the army
| as major of the Fifty-sixth Illinois Regi-
ment. and was promoted to lieutenant
| colonel colonel, and brevet brigadier- gem
| eral. He was made brigadier- general of
volunteers on the fifteenth of February,
| 1866. which commission he resigned on May
8. He served under Gen. VIM. s. Rosecrans
| In the Mississippi campaign of 1862. At the
battle of COrinth he ordered and led
| the charge that broke the confederate
With Gem General pe Grant at vieksbnrg s and was WAS
wounded at the battle of Missionary Ridge,
| in November, 1863. During the Atlanta
| campaign he held the lines of communica-
ton from Dalton to Acworth and from
reinforced Resaca, Ca, and held it against
Gen. John Is. Hood.
In 1866 he obtained acharter for the Cairo
| & Vincennes railroad, aided in securing it's
construction, and became its first president.
| He was then elected to Congress- and served
| from March 4. 1857, to March 3. 1869. In 1876
he was president of the Illinois Republican
| convention. and in the same year he was a
delegate to the national convention of that
| party in Cincinnati. He was appointed
| Commissioner of Internal Revenue Aug. 2.
| 1876, and retained the Office till May 81. 1888.
During this period he collected $3.50, 900. 900.
| and disbursed $3.50, 600, 600 without loss. He
| wrote Reports" of his bureau for seven
| successive years. He is also the author of
| 1.-The Existing Conflict Between Republic
| an Government and Southern Oligarchy."
| He is at present practicing law in Wash
ington. ID. c. General Raum is a prominent
| member of the u. Il. X.
| A Surprise to Illinois People.
| CHICAGO, Oct. 19.-The announcement of
the selection of Gen. Green b. Raum as Pen
/ sion mmissioner WAS a great snrnrise fo