Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-09-19
The TANNER TROUBLE.

Circumstances That Led to the Commits
sioner's Resignation-HisR Relations With
Secretary Noble Major Warner His.
Probable Successor.
WASHINGTON, Sept 13--The following
statement of the beginning and end Of the
Tanner difficulty is official and thoroughly
verified in every respect: Before his de-
parture from Washington for his vacation
trip Secretary Noble on several occasions
spoke to the President about the course OF
Commissioner Tanner and his clerks in
the matter of rerating pensioners and
also in relation to unguarded remarks
which the Commissioner had made from
time to time The President was inclined
to defend Tanner, and he did so several
times. Recently Tanner made speeches at
Elmirs. Chautauqua and Milwaukee which
called forth strong protests from promi-
nent Republicans. Directly after the
Milwaukee incident Secretary Noble re-
turned to this city determined to bring
the Tanner matter to a climax. He put
his views before the President in a very
positive manner and intimated that he
would retire from the Interior Department
II Mr.. Tanner was continued in office
much longer. Tuesday Senator Hiscock,
OF New York, who had been talking with
the President about the matter, and who
had learned from him that it was likely
to come to a climax. went to commissioner
Tanner, without authority from the Pres
ident, however, and said that the Com
missioner would better resign his office,
as, if he did not, he would be removed.
From this interview grew the story,
which was confirmed by the Com
missioner Wednesday morning, that
he had been asked for his resigna-
tion. When Tanner visited the White
House later be learned that the President
had not asked for his resignation and that
Senator Hiscock had been acting on his
own responsibility. Wednesday evening
about nine O'Clock Daniel RansdelI, mar
shall OF the District of COUNT ia and a
particular friend of the President went
to Tanners house and in his private
capacity explained to the Commissioner
the situation and suggested that Mr..
Tanner had better relieve the President of
the difficulty in which he found himself
placed by resigning. He told the Com
missioner that the President had been his
constant friend and that he had shown it
when he gave him the office to which he
was appointed and afterward when he de-
Tended his course. The Commissioner said
tnat ne appreciated this fact but for a
time he was quite firm in his determine
ton to force the President to choose
between removing him and leaving him in
office. Shortly before midnight however,
he gave in and agreed to write his resig-
nation and placed it then and there In the
hands of Mr.. Ransdell.
There is no doubt that Tanners resigna-
ton was asked for by the President. The
CorporaPs quarrel with Secretary Noble
had reached such point that one or the
other must leave the Interior Department.
and it is surmised that the President con-
cluded that he could better let the Com
missioner go than the Secretary.
WARNER FOR COMMISSIONER
WASHINGTON. Sept 13-It is learned
that Major Warner will be made Commits
Sioner of Pensions, il he will accept and
such arguments will be advanced as will
lead to his acceptance.