The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1889-07-31
Washington Letter.
From our Regular Correspondent

From our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, July 20, 1889.
Secretary Noble has created commo
ton by appointing committee to investi
gate the re-ratlng: Of pensions for the pas
twelve months. "What does II mean +?
was asked on all sides, and all sorts Olsen
sational answers have been given. You
correspondent has interviewed Secretary
Noble, Assistant Secretary Bussey and
Commissioner Tanner on the subject, and
can therefore tell exactly what It means
For quite while Secretary Noble has
been flooded with complaints about the
looseness of the methods In vogue In the
pension office in regard to the re-ratlng
Of pensions; 1t was alleged that large
number Of the employees OF that office had
within tie last year had themselves re-
rated Illegally, and that they were draw
ing large amounts Of money to which
they were not entitled. At first the Sec
retary paid little attention TO these CON-
plants, believing them to be on a par with
the usual complaints of the class Of peo-
pie who oppose our whole pension system
and everything connected Herewith. But
the complaints continuing TO increase he
called the attention Of Commissioner Tan
ner to the matter, and that gentleman,
after little investigation, came TO the
conclusion that the re-rating had been
very carelessly done, II there had been no
criminaiity on the part Of the employees
having charge Of the matter. 1t was then
decided as the best thing to do 70 have
the system thoroughly investigated, and
at the request Of Commissioner Tanner
the same committee has been authorized
to investigate the charges Of favoritism
that have been made against the
Office. The system Of re-rating now in
use was managed by Gen. Black when he
was Commissioner Of Pensions. and no.
body blames Commissioner Tanner for
what has happened under Il, though 1t is
expected that the investigation will show
that certain employees presumed on his
well known friendliness towards the PEN
sioners to prevent his looking too closely
into the doubtful cases they had re-rated.
The committee now investigating the mat
ter consists of DR.. Geo. Ewing and II. L.
Bruce, Of the board of pension appeals,
and Judge F. L. Campbell, oil the Assist.
ant Attorney Generals Office. Their In
structions are to get at the facts, no mat
ter who they may effect. They are now
holding daily sessions in room at the
pension Office.
Attorney General Miller went to Deer
Park in response to telegram, Wednes-
day, to consult with the President about
certain matters relating TO the Department
OF Justice.
II Is said that Thomas Furlong, Of st.
Louis, formerly railroad detective, will
soon be appointed Chief Of the Treasury
Secret Service. He was at 1rst opposed
by Powderly and the labor organizations
on account Of his work during the St.
Louis railroad strikes, but Powderly has
written TO the Secretary Of the
Treasury Withdrawing all opposition and
his appointment is daily expected.
Representative Ewart, Of North Caro-.
lima, denies the report that the Repub-
lican Representatives from the South had
decided TO cast their votes for Represent.
ative Brewer.of the same State for Speak
er Of the House until they could get their
claims for patronage recognized by the
Mr.. Ewart says he has
no complaints whatever to make against
the administration, and that he prefers
for Speaker, but Is prepared to
support Burough, Cannon or any other
republican that favors the Blair bill and
the repeal Of oil the internal revenue laws.
The Presidents horses have been taken
In naar park