The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1889-09-18
Soldiers 8noget.
Commissioner Tanner.

James Tanner was forced to resign
the office of commissioner of pensions
last Thursday. He was not equal to
the duties demanded by that high office.
The reasons, according to Secretary
Noble, were numerous. Commissioner
Tanner had been source of trouble in
the department from the beginning; he
was lacking in executive capacity and
he failed to grasp the requirements and
needs of the pension bureau. No ques-
ton was ever raised as to Mr.. Tanners
honesty or sincerity or integrity as an
official, but he failed to discharge the
duties of the office as the secretary felt
they should be discharged. He was
imposed upon by claimants and claim
agents, and in his sympathy for the
soldier it is probable that he accepted
every representation made 10 him as
true and legitimate. The investigation
commission which was appointed COM
pleted its labors some time ago, and it
is stated that the records show that the
business had been loosely conducted
since Mr.. Tanners administration to an
extent which is threatening, to say the
least. These were the complaints made
by Secretary Noble in an official capac-
ity. AS to the general criticism of
Commissioner Tanner made by the
press and the public, they seemed to
have been based principally upon his
tendency to talk too much from the be-
ginning of his official career. He man
Tested a disposition to resent every
criticism of his conduct or his office.
That he was indiscreet in his utterances
upon most occasions is not denied even
by Mr.. Tanners friends. These occa-
sions of indiscretion were so frequent
as to become extremely annoying and
embarrassing to the administration.
Commissioner Tanner seemed to
invite criticism, and he received
it very freely. His indiscretion,
it is said, was accepted as an indication
of his incapacity for so important and
trying an office as pension commits
sioner. Monday afternoon Senator
Hiscock visited Mr.. Tanner at the pen
sion office and informed him that the
administration desired his place for a
new commissioner AT the same time,
the senator, for the administration
rendered to Mr.. Tanner, in the event
of his resignation, the marshalship of
the eastern district of New York, which
includes Kings county and the city of
Brooklyn, Mr.. Tanners home. Mr.
Tanner was surprised at the news, and
probably somewhat indignant. He de-
clined the offer of the marshalshir
with thanks, and said that if he could
not hold the commissionership he did
not want any office. However, he
agreed to await the result of another
conference the next day. The next
morning, Tuesday, there was another
conference at the White House, Secre.
tary Noble, Encouragement Miller
and Senator Hiscock were present. Mr.
Tanners reply was made known and
Senator Hiscock stated that the com.
missioner had refused to accept the
marshalship, but had asked longer
time for the consideration of the re.
quest to resign. 1t was explained that
the commissioner felt that he was the
victim of democratic conspiracy, that
the attacks made upon him in the
democratic newspapers were concerted
and that they were in accordance with
plan devised by the opposition to the
administration. He felt, furthermore
that Secretary Mobiles opposition to
him was inspired by General Bussey
the assistant secretary of the interior
He felt that General Bussey was jealous
of his CTanner's) prominence, and tina
he had eXerted himself to oppose Tan
ner from the very start Mr.. Tanner
blamed General Bussey for all tn,
trouble.