The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-09-13
CAUSE ulr THE TROUBLE.
Alleged Ofhcial Statement Of Mr.. Tanner
DiHicuIty with Secretary Noble.

Alleged Onicial Statement Of Mr.. Tanners
DinacuIty with Secretary Noble.
To the United Press
WASHINGTON. Sept. 12.-The following
statement of the beginning and end of the
Tanner difficulty is official and thoroughly
verified in every respect. Before his de-
parture from Washington for his vacation
trip Secretary Noble. on several occasions,
spoke to the President about the course of
Commissioner Tanner and his clerks in the
matter of rerating pensions, and also Ill re-
lation to unguarded remarks which the
Commissioner had made from time to time.
The President was inclined to defend Mr..
Tanner, and he did so several times. Re-
Gently Mr.. Tannermade speeches at Elmira,
Ch,asndtau4ua a,sad and Milwaukee, rasss,. which trna,
er the Milwaukee incident Secretary
Noble returned to this city, determin ed to
bring the Tanner matter to a climax. He
put his views before the President In very
positive Manner and iptimated that he
would retire from the Interior Department
if Mr. Tanner was continued in office much
longer.
On Tuesday Senator Hiscock. of New
York, who had been talking with the Pres
ident about the matter, and who had
come to a climax, went to Commissioner
Tanner. without authority from the Fresi-
dent, however. and said that the Commis.
siouer would better resign his office, as, IT
he did not, he would be removed. From
this interview grew the story, which was
confirmed by the Commissioner yesterday
morning that he had been asked for
his resignation. When Mr.. Tan
ner visited the. White. House later,
he learned that the President
had y1nt lro6f fn~h r0 racI( ryaofI inn, md a
Senator Hiscock had been acting on his
own responsibility. Last evening abort 0
o'clock Daniel Ransdell, marshal of the
District of Columbia, and particular
friend of the President. went to Mr.. Tan
ners house, and. in q private capacity. as
he explained to the Commissioner, sug-
gested that the Commissioner would better
relieve the President of the difficulty in
which he found himself placed by resign
President had had been bee his Consistent friend.
and that he had shown it when he gave
him the office to which he was appointed,
and afterward, when he defended his
course. The Commissioner said that he ap-
preciated this fact, but for a time he was
quite firm in his determination to force the
President to choose between removing him
and leaving him in office. Shortly before
midnight. however, he gave in and agreed
to write his resignation, and placed it then
and there in the hands of Mr.. Ransdell.
The Letter and the Presidents Acceptance.
WASHINGTON. Sept. 12.-Following is
Commissioner Tanners letter of resigna-
ton, and President Harrison's reply thereto:
BUREAU OF PENSIONS, Washington, Sept IL.
To the President-The differences which exist
between the Secretary of the Interior and myself
as to the policy to be pursued in the adminstra-
ton OF the Pension Bureau have reached a stage
which threatens tn embarrass you to an extent
whichs feel, should not call upon you To suffer,
and, as the investigation into the affairs of the
bureau has been completed. and am assured,
both by yourself and by the Secretary OF the In
teriortcontans no reflection on my Integrity as
an ind4sidual. or officer, herewith place
my rec gnation in your hands, to take effect at
your Measure, to the end that you may be re-
leved 6f any further embarrassment in the mat
ter. Very respectfully yours,
JAMES TANNER, Commissioner.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington. Sept. IL.