Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-10-24
HOT SHOT
From the Ex-Commis-
sioner of Pensions.
Tanners Mad as a Wide Awake
Hornet.
JUMPING ONTO GEN. BUSSEY
WITH BOTH FEET.
Stir ing Up a Great Old Row in the
Pension Office-Bussey's Past Ca
reer-Sarcasm and Strong Language
From the Deposed Corporal.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17.-Pension :
commissioner Tanner when asked
whether he had anything to say re-
specting the recent decision of Assistant
secretary Bussey, overruling the COM
missioner's order of April 25 last, said:
"The judicial reason of Judge Bussey
are the evolutions of the mind of a gem
tleman from Kentucky, who was ap-
pointed under the late administration
on the labor force of the patent office,
tried before the civil service commits
sion for principal medical examiner in
the pension office, failed to pass, and
was afterward appointed a member of
the pension board of appeals in the
secretary's office, salary s., 900 per year,
to sit in judgment .on the acts of the
commissioner of pensions.
Having myself seen in his own
handwriting bis statement that he is a
lifelong resident of Kentucky, and for
20 years edited Democratic paper, and
his further statement, in answer to the
question if ne had served in either the
army or the navy, that he served in
neither and, therefore, was particularly
well qualified to do justice in a place in
the pension office, I am not surprised
that such man should pronounce fav-
orably on the presumed sufficiency OF
seven cents day pension for a veteran
who, rs a result of the contact with the
miasmi and foul water of the swamps,
is now a sufferer from chronic diarrhoea,
but what fail to comprehend is how
Gen. Bussey comes to permit himselfto
put his name TO such a decision. He
has little regard for Gen. Harrison's
declaration last fall, which thrilled
every veterans heart when he said:
1t is no time to use the apothecary's
scales when you come to weigh the SER
vices of the men who saved the nation
If it be the gait to weigh out seven
cents per day for chronic diarrhoea,
had much rather Gen. Bussey should be
the weigh-master and have no assist
ance from me. do not believe the de-
cision will be permitted to stand. When
commissioner has they will see that ii
too broadly gives the lie to all oui
promises for years past.
II sent yesterday to the pension of.
flee for copy of Gen. Bussey's decision
overruling my order of April 25, anG
found it had been withdrawn. looked
for revised edition. I arrange Gen
Bdssey for undertaking to put me in 8
false position before the public. Such
at least is the result of tile wording o
his decision, whether he intended to dc
it or not. He conveys the impression
that the effect of my order of April 25
was to arbitrarily raise all pensioner;
on the rolls at less than 81 per month
between $4,000 and 34,000) to S4 pei
month. On the contrary, the ordel
clearly shows to anyone who reads il
that the arbitrary part of it and the
whole of it in fact, referred to cases al
lowed on and after March q, the day
took office. [ determined that would
not issue certificate for less than s
per month if had the power to pre-
vent it. / looked into the law ant
found that clearly and indisputably
had the power. 1t is broadly state(
that the ratings fixed by the medica
boards are subject to revision by the
commissioner. No one will intelligent
ly dispute that had the power to tax,
up every case rated at less than 81 PEI
month and order the certificates ISSUED
at 81. had broadly declared my pur
pose; | had nothing to conceal. Isavet
d NoSo dhlbuIIl vi UIHlG huN tlOuuic ".
issuing that order. Then l gave verba
orders that those of the $4,000 pension
at less than $4 per month, who had al
application on file for increase, accom-
panied by u certificate of medical ex
animation held within year, shoulC
have their claim adjudicated on tina
examination and go up to at least s
per mouth or go off the roll. / ordered
verbally that all the others should b.
sent an order for medical examination
and abide the result on like basis.
think most of them would have gon
up to $4. There is plenty of law for it
Gen. Bussey to the contrary notwith
standing. He says there is no pre-
cedent; say that every commissions
who has preceded me has left records 0
precedent, and when he made tina
brash statement he simply succeeds il
Illuminating his ignorance.