The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1889-10-25

| Massachusetts, killed his chance by the
too liberal use of his mouth. 1t seemed
necessary to President Harrison to appoint
some man who would have the respect of
the Grand Army and the confidence of the
taxpayers. Such a man is Gen. Raum.
He is identified with the conservative wing
of the Grand Army and is opposed to SER
vice pensions, or was the last time he spoke
openly on that subject. His long and hon
orable record as mead of the Internal Rev
enue system aud his zeal in the prosecn-
tions of all violations Of law are the assur-
ances ttfat lie will not make a brass band
prize distribution scheme of the Pension
Bureau.
In an interview last night Mr.. Raum ex-
pressed himself as follows: u go into the
Office untrammcled by any prceonceived
notions. | will find the laws there and
will try to execute them fairly and satisfac-
torily alike to the people and soldier. The
Commissioners is an executive, not a legis-
lative, officer. My record in the Internal
revenue bureau will give the public some
idea of my methods and my military re-
cord will, | hope, give the soldiers some as
surance of my fellowship with them. As
to precise matters of policy, | prefer to be-
come acquainted with the duties of the Of
flee before announcing any plan OF proceed
ure. In fact | have not had time to look
over the field for | had no intention of my
appointment until Thursday, when a cab
met officer told me | might look for it,"
Unlike his predecessor. Mr.. Tanner, Gen.
Raum's history is that of conscientious
hard work. He is not a political tramp or
bugbear. He was born in Golconda, HI
inois, in 1929, and was admitted to the bar
in 1868. In 1856 he removed, with his
family, to Kansas, from which he was
driven in less than 4 year by the wrath of
the pro-slavery faction whose wrath he had
dis, as Major of the Fifty-sixth Illinois
Regiment, and was afterwards made a
brigadier general of volunteers.
In 1866 he obtained a charter for the
was first president. He served in Congress
from 1867 to 1869. He was appointed
COMMISSIONS of Internal Revenue in 1876
and retained the office until 1888. During
this period le collected $3.50, 600, 600 and
disbursed $500, 000, 900 without loss. On
his retirement from office Gen. Raum re-
manned in the District of Columbia and
entered upon the practice of law. the prac-
tice being mostly before the departments.
He is closely identified with the interests
of the District of Columbia. The greatest
objection that can be found against Mr..
Raum lies in the fact that he has been a
long time out of practical politics and in
fact, had been of very little use to tie party
in the last few years. In this instance,
however, President Harrison had to look
for the best man rather than offer the posi-
ton to the first politician who could show
recent services. In this respect the APP
pointment resembles many OF Mr.. Cleye-
lands selections. 1t may be we'll to re-
member that the position is the most ardu-
Gus and ungrateful under the government.
The Congressman are beginning to sneak
in town from different directions to furnish
up their houses (such of them as do not
exist in boarding houses and prepare for
a busy session. All are agreed that the
Fifty-First Congress will be of tremend-
GUS importance and be essentially a work
ing Congress. Anything else is impossible.
The Republican party has the responsible
ity of all departments of The government,
being everywhere in power. They must
be held liable for any delay in necessary
legislation, for any excess of appropriations
and for any inSnficiencY