Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-06-28
CORPORAL TANNER TELLS 1T
Facts Regarding Democratic Misstate
ments OF His Position.

W ,suINGToN, June y.
Corporal Tanner, commissioner of pen
sions referring to the latest attacks on the
pension bureau said today II have only
this to say If in any manner have been
imposed on, if any shadow of wrong has
be en- done or may be perpetratcd under me
while | am commissioner no one will jump
on it quicker than will. | have been in
formed on what consider good democratic
authority, that at the last meeting of the
democratic national committee, the meeting
at which they elected Mr.. Bricc to succeed
MIR. Barnum as chairman, there was gen
eral expression of opinion among "A number
{ f the committee to the effect that my ad-
ministrati0n was making it too popu-
lar among the soldiers, and the determine
ton was expressed to see their friends of
the press and have them jnmp on Tanner and
the pension office with both feet.
Last Thursday there was an assemblage of
such democratic Congressman as were in this
city and they came to the same conclusion
and then and there employed two men ~ho
from that time on were to be occupied in
hunting for every point relating TO the pen
sion office which might be distorted into be
ing something rejecting on the republican
party or on the Commissioner, The World
of nine-tenths misstatements. What is the
use of my undertaking to tackle those
statement-f They will coin new lot and
more of them from day to day. hope they
will have an inyestgatigation at the next
session of Congress. | hope they will have an
investigation to cover not only my term but
TO 90 back over the past four years. Then
there will be music BY full band.
Furthermore, have to say that believe
it is pretty thoroughly recognized, from the
highest official Of the Administration down to
the lowest that this Office and myself have
been selected as the targets of the oppos-
ton. | am standing up under II pretty well,
somewhat fortified perhaps, by the fact, so
far a, am able to Judge, both by official and
personal intercourse that my relations with
the President the Secretary and Assistant
Secretary were never more satisfactory
This continual parading Of myself in the
press as surplus ripper is pestifer0us- so
are mosquitoes in the season. but We have 10
submit. It is the season nov for democratic
abuse and vllifcation of the Pension Office,
with some manly exception, but by and-hy
the great American people. with their strong
common sense. will begin TO ssH, If this
fellow Tanner is such a thief and robber,
why don't they specifyE And that brings
them right down in the face of the fact that
the law defines What commissioner can DO
and what he cannot DO, and you can rest
assured that | propose to administer this
bureau strictly within the limitations Of the
Law.
Regarding the arrangements of the divis
ions of this office ! respectfully submit that
I -hall not consult the editor Of any rampant
democratic newspaper The idea Of organi-
| zing a division to deal with claims for in
| crease was broached and considered. /
1 called together the chiefs Of divisions, after
several days notice of the subject. | wanted
them to discuss it and We discussedit il Every
/ expression Of opinion va, against the feast
blity of the project, and dropped all thought
Of il but with the expressed determination Of
having the various divisions pay good deal
( more attention to the claims already on file
/ for increase.
There are about 100. 600 claim. for in
! crease Of pension nov lying in this office
that have never had anything done to them
This is one of the legacy of the late Admin
i.trati0n As 10 the Board Of Re-reviev
have not determined whether shall continue
I it or not Men Of long years Of experience
and most Of the men Of experience in the
pension Office advise me to abolish It.
shall do anything in the premises which
seems TO me to be right 10 be done and
vhice promises best TO enable us TO get rid
of portion at least Of the vast amount Of
bu.ines. which this Office vas not able TO
get rid of in the past and which ha. been
I left a. a legacy.