The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1889-09-20

Extravaganza That Would Compel I
Grisvous Increase ~ Tax>tion.

EstravAgance That Would Compel
Grisvous Increase " Tax>sIon.
Tanner. the Pension Commissioner.
has a fatal facility in the use OF his
tongue. lie can not bride that unruly
member. II attacks both friend and
foe. Now he is In q quarrel with
Democratic editor, who retorts shat
he must himself follow the advice he
has given his staY. and never Airt with
a fool nor fight with a cripple. Again
he Is engaged In controversy with
Republican Congressman. and seems
70 think himself rhctorically pictur-
asque In saying that his impression Of
him Is that il his brains were blown
through cranes bill into a mos
quitos eye the mosquito would never
wink. Tho Congressman proposes to
inquire OF the Administration whether
the Commissioner Is free TO 60 up and
down the Union making mischief In
loyal Republican districts
Tanners magnifying Of himself and
his Office Is a conspicuous foible. lie
l. bat bureau officer. who has no
more right to exploit himself than any
other Of dozen such officers. He sees
only himself. The Secretary OF the
Interior Is nobody. The President il
important only as he adopts the Tan
ner idea Of pensions but. say" he
exclaimed to reporter at Elmira.
'wait till you see my estimate for
next year. am debating whether
my report shall ask for f1l0,000.000
or $4,000, 900. Won't there be
damning all along the line when those
| fellows SEQ an increase OF $50. 000.-
| 600 asked for?"
| What the needs Of the meritorious
| veterans demand the generosity of the
| Nation will accord. But there will be.
rs there ought TO be, decided impa-
thence with demands urged in the in
solent fashion which Tanner ilippant-
| ly adopts The war closed in 1865.
1t might reasonably be supposed that
every really meritorlous claim for
pension was adjudicatcd within four
years thereafter. In 1869 tho total
number OF pensioners was 1866. and
the annual dis bursement in their be-
half was some &28. 100000. In 1883.
Notwithstanding the casualties oc-
curing during twenty years. deaths,
remarriages. the attainment Of ma
jority by minor children. etc. the
number Of pensioners increased from
POO 600. In round numbers. to $50. 900.
and the disbursements from $2S. O00.-
600 to $50. 900. 900. The arrears act OF
1879. with its monstrous invitations to
perjury. is responsible for this colossal
increase. Mr. Tanner. the great
surplus destroyer. now proposes to
ask for $50. 600. 600 more; that is.
more than as much again as was paid
in 1869. There is screw loose some.
where. The union OF the claim agent.
the demagogue and the mercenary Is
too much for the integrity Of the
Treasury.
Mr.. Tanner fancies he has at his
back the entire Grand Army, but II
this wero SO It would furnish no ex-
cuse for Wholesale raid upon the
National resources. Open the door as
Tanner would open IL and no limit
whatever can be put on claim-agent
rapacity. Instead Of $50. 600. 900 the
demand before the close Of the Har-
rison Administration would be for
twice that sum. and this. coupled with
the other free expenditure contem-
plated. would compel grievous In.
crease Of taxation. Chicago Times.