Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-06-26

at the New Haven university.
 TASNEs AFTER THE SI1HPLUS.
 rvideI',es multiply that President Hal- rison made serious mistake in appoint ing Corporal Tanner commissioner of pensions. And there is a widespread impression prevailing that, if the dough- ty corporal does not decide to step down and out of his 'wn volition, his head will g into the basket. Harrison can hardly afford to retain Tanner unless he makes back tracks right speedily from the course he has pursued since he first took charge of the pension bureau.
 It appears, from what Tanner himself has said as well as the inferences to be drawn from his course of conduct. that the treasury surplus has struck him as being an entirely useless national posses sion. and that the proper place for the superiluous millions is in the pockets of the men who wore the blue. Ills rulings on disputed claims, his expediting of special cases, his reratings of original pensions, and his free and easy system generally of conducting bis bureau give color to his own assertion, made at a banquet given in celebration of an inn properly allowed back claim by the lucky pensioner, that if his good right arm held out he hoped to make big hole i'll that surplus. As a result of that good right arms work the pension moneys appropriated for the current fiscal year have already run short and many of the pensioners will have to 20 without their m ney for d week ur two until the new appropriation becomes available. It would seem, therefore. that even Corporal Tanner himself would realize that his zeal in the destruction of the surplus is fast outstrip- ping hls discretion and that 1t might be well for him to pause before getting in over his head If, as is told in the press dispatches from Washington, Corporal Tanner has con ceived the idea of abolishing the board of re-review and at tn, same time crea- ting new division of tn office to be known as the increase division. he may be laying the foundation for congress sional inquiry next winter that may re- suit in a general shaking up of the bu- reau and his -,wn retirement from it's control. Congress could hardly appro- priate money enough to pay the pen and it is anything but certain that the people " ill be disposed to remain patient while they see the money that is wrung from them by excessiv taxation squan- dered with a pro.ligality that transcends anything ever dreamed of in ancient or modern times. With the scandals that have arisen under the corporars admin istration as background to his reckless assaults on the surplus there is condi- tion of things in the pension bureau that the republican party nor the Harrison adr inistration can contemplate without serious risgiving. It is hardly to be wondered at that the news frojo Wash ington should teem with rumors of the enforced resignation or removal of Com missioner Tanner if he does not consent to mend his ways, and that, too, right speedily.
 Corporal Tanner was brave soldier who left his legs on the field of battle to prove his devotion for his country he is a generous-hearted, ip.pulsive and free-handed man, an ardent republican and an urgent friend of the maimed veterans; but he has not shown, in his administration of the pension office, those qualities pru- dence and executive ability that should be possessed by one having so large a fund of the peoples moneys in his con- trol. l. is well to care for tho old S. ldier and even to err on the idle of generosity in the matter of pens ions, but 1t is r.ght and proper that there should be a unit to the raids of pension brokers. claim agents. sensational politicians a'.d seo- 'imentai nasti.atoGs of the blood, shirt Ith x tension list ajread veroing on a hund, ed mi'i,oos annually. and growing.
 arge. aS we Q ,asuhe from the close of 'he 'e''e''ou, lt 'e time to cat 2 nat on such wild and wooliy poL.ons as ;oulmls- s,oner Tanner delight ill proc aiming as the policy of the present pepslon bureau. Unless Mt Tanner can be madt to roos. lower on tbe peus,on perch resident Earr son W Ou:d dO a w .Se ih,ug 70 take hun on altogether. IS pot toe peop,e may have something to say.