The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-09-12
He Sends a Letter to the President Ask
ing to Be Relieved from Office,
In Which He Says the Differences Between Him.
self and Secretary Are So Radical that the
Course He Has Taken Is Necessary.
Yesterdays Cabinet Conferences, and
Gossip Concerning the Pension Bureau
Probability that Mr.. Tanner will Be Given
Another Place If He Wants lt-Candi-
dates for the Vacant Commissionership.
RESIGNATION OF MIR. TANNER.

RESIGNATION OF MR.. TANNER.
The Pension Commissioners Notifies the Presi-
dent Of His Desire to BE Relieved.
WASHINGTON, Sept IL. - Midnight
President Harrison has received the resig-
nation of James w. Tanner as Commission
er of Pensions In his letter conveying the
resignation, it is said. the Commissioner
writes that he recognizes that differences
exist between himself and the Secretary of
of the Pension Bureau, and that, those diff
ferences being radical. in the interest of .
thoroughly satisfactory administration of
the Office. he should resign.
One report tonight was that President
Harrison had advised Commissioner Tan
ner to resign. General Alger. commander
IN chief G. A. r.; Governor Foraker, of
Ohio. and Commander Wilson. of Kansas.
are all said to have telegraphed Tanner.
urging him not to resign. These messages,
together with the influence of his wife, are
said to have been instrumental in holding
the Commissioner back from following the
advice of the President. Mrs. Tam
ner is reported to have said that
fee of Commissioner of Pensions. she
would choose to take in washing rather
than that he should accept the Office of
United States marshal for New York.
Tonight committee of the G. A. r. of
the District, headed by Gen. S. s. Burdette,
ex-commander-in-chie called at the White
House to see the President in behalf OF the
Commissioner of Pensions. but it was after
he had retired. He sent word that he
would be glad to see them in the morning.
Several G. A. r. friends spent the evening
with the Commissioner. but they declined
to say what, if anything, was the result of
their conference. The Commissioner stead
lily denied himself to newspaper men.
Cabinet Conferences During the Day.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON. Sept u.-Commissioner
Tanner has occupied the attention of Wash
ington to-day. Scarcely any other subject
than the Pension Office was discussed in
any quarter. Three or four members of the
Cabinet were in consultation with the
President during most of the afternoon.
About Q O'clock tho Commissioner himself
was summoned to the White House, where
he remained two hours. When Commits
sioner Tanner emerged from the executive
mansion he refused to state what action, If
any, had been taken, but denied that he
was yet out Of Office. There were all sorts
of rumors circulated. from early morning
until late this evening 1t was stated in
the street circles and around the Interior
Department that on Monday the President
suspended Commissioner Tanner, but that
the Commissioner, refusing to recognize
the source of information of this alleged
act, it having gone through Secretary No
BILE, remained in his Office yester-
day, and continued to perform his
official duties that yesterday afternoon the
Commissioner was informed from higher
authority that he was suspended, and that
he then packed up his private papers, bade
few of his official friends in the Office
good-by, and retired to his home in George
town. This statement was given credence
by the fact that when the Pension Office be-
gan business this morning Commissioner
Tanner did not put in an appearance, and
Deputy Commissioner Smith was author
lied to act as Commissioner. The many
public men who called at the Commission
er's Office to-day found it empty. and were
told that Mr.. Tanner was i'll and keeping
to his home.
A short time after the engthy conference
between the President, Secretary Noble,
Secretary Tracy. Postmaster general Wana-
maker and Commissioner Tanner it was
stated that the report of the commission
appointed to investigate the rerating and
other acts of the Commissioner of Pensions
had been read to Mr.. Tanner, and that be
10 or m Tn ax 1lQ IN
many actions taken either under
his direction or by his inferior Off
GERS upon their own authority, and
to which Secretary Noble objected. Secre-
tary Tracy came over from New York es-
pecially to represent the interests of Mr..
Tanner, and it is understood that he made a
strong appeal for the retention of the latter.
Secretary Noble was immovable, however.
Tonight there was a continuation of the
consideration of the Tanner question at the
White House. The Attorney general and
one or two others who were in consultation
to-day were present. At o'clock it was
and that there was no official announce
ment to be made.
Among the many reports in circulation
tonight is one that the only real question
now before the President and the Cabinet
is, what shall be done with Commissioner
Tanner. He has the warmest sympathy of
the President, who does not desire TO turn
him ont without awarding him other EN-
ployment. 1t is said that the United States
marshalship for the Southern district of
New York was rendered the Commissioners
two days ago, but promptly rejected.
Another report is to the effect that the Cab
met is considering the advisability of ex-
tending to Mr.. Tanner the position of Reg
lister of the Treasury. now occupied by Gen.
Rosecrans. and If that should be deemed
inpracticable, to agree upon some other
place which would be acceptable to the
Commissioner.
There was a great deal of talk indulged
in during the day as to who will succeed to
the commissi0nership. the names of ex-
Pension Agent Poole. of Syracuse. n. Y;
ex-Congressman Brown, a one-legged vet
eran. of Cincinnati, and First Assistant
Postmaster general Clarkson having been
mentioned. Senator Hiscock, of New York.
has been about the White House and the
Interior Department a great deal during
the past two days, and he was there some
time this afternoon. He Is urging the ap-
pointment of Poole, and is very solicitous
about some provision being made. In the
way of another office, for Mr. Tanner
At 10 O'Clock tonight it was stated at the
White House that Commissioners Tanner
had not been suspended or removed, nor
had his resignation been demanded, but IL
il conceded that he will retire from the
commissonership Of pensions.
1t was President Harrison's intention to
go to Deer Park yesterday. but he decided
to remain here until the commissionershlp
OF pensions is definitely determined He
viii probably 60 to Deer Park on Saturday