Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-07-13
TANNER AS A FREAK.
THE C0RP0RAL'S APPOINTMENT RBC0G-
MED AS AN RGRRGI0US BLUNDRR.
Utterly Incompetent, Uat1snsss-Llks, Reckless and
lrc5rrigibls-Regari5 Himself as the Pct Of
the Grand Army and Much Bigger
Man Than Secretary Noble,

WASHINGTON, July y Tanner must
go. That must be taken as a certainty. 1t
has come to be recognized by his col
leagues and official s1periors that he is a
dead failure as Commissioner; that his
appointment was not only blunder, but
freak; that he is utterly incompetent, I'M
business-like, reckless and incoIrigible
Commissioner Tanner regards himself as .
much bigger man than the Secretary Of the
Interior, who is the official head of a de-
paltment embracing about q dozen bu-
reaus almost as important in some respects
as the Pension Bureau. Tanner thinks he
is there as the pet Of the Grand Army, snd
that the Grand Arm pet has right TO go
ahead irrespective o. the will Of Secretary,
President or Congress.
President Harrison and Secretary Noble
have had almost as much of Tanners non
sense as they can stand and there is hardly
a doubt that the Commissioner has been
informed that his resignation would be &C
ceptable. 1t is q moral certainty that his
commissionership will not outliye the
summer. Discriminating against certain
pension attorneys in favor of Others is one
of thh great troubles with Tanner That
was the real cause of the sacrifice
of Confidential Secretary SquiTes and
his friend Van Bruut, although another
reason was given, rejecting more directly
upon the gentlemen personally in order to
al oil
But Notwithstanding tie sacrifices of these
two officials, the same jObbery still con-
tnues. Secretary Noble and President
Harrison know that it must SCORER or later
create scandal if continued, and Tan
ner's retention in Office ia continued upon
the immediate turning over OF new leaf
Tanner, Of course, denies tina. he has been
cautioned.
Assistant Secretary Bussey was seen to-
day in regard TO the conference held yes
terday between himself, Secretary Noble
and Commissioner Tanner. He did not
say there had not been a serious disagree
ment between the Secretary and the Com
missioner of Pensions in yesterdays con-
ference. He did say, however, that in the
administration of such large department
as that of the Interior action was taken at
times that was not entirely satisfactory to
tbs head of the department. He also said
that in the conference with Mr. Tanner
yesterday the subject of hi resignation
WAS rot mentioned. He was not aware
that Mr.. Tanners resignation had been re-
uueated, as was rumored.
Commissioner Tanner laughed to-day
when a reference was made TO the publish
ed account of bis interview yesterday with
Secretary Noble and notwithstanding
Bussey. Yesterday afternoon" said the
Commissioner. Il telephoned Oger TO the
department and Inquired if the Secretary
could see me if 7 clme around about three
o'clock. The reply was in the affirmative
and at three o'clock / entered the Interior
Department. O1 my way to the Secretary u
room l etepped in TO see Gen. Bussey and
told him that had something wanted to
say to both himself and the Secretary, snd
as it was hot weather did not want TO 90
over it twice. l asked him il be would
not 20 with me TO n. Secretary. Heu9gaao
along and we had our talk and got back
to the Pension Office n little after four
o'clock. That was the three hours in
terview which was reported to have taken
place"
Corporal Tanner only smiled when he
was told that it was reported that bis res
ignation had been called for. He said
some people were evidently after him and
he did not propose to begin to contradict
everything that was said: "Of course, "
he said, ''sll men do not think alike and
opinions differ"
"You can still live together, them" was
asked, referring to the reported unpleas-
antness between the Secretary and the
Commissioner.
Goa, yes" was the reply. Mr.. Tanner
ssid there was one thing that the Secretary
had done which his wife thought had
saved his (Tannsr's) life. The Secretary
had issued an order in regard TO making
cases special Senators and Representa-
tives," said the Commissioner, come
here and make these requests, and how
can a mere Commissioner refuse them?
Bot now can pull the Secretary's order
on them"