Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1889-03-30
WASHINGTON.

President HarriSOn's appointment Of
"Corporap Tanner to be Commission
er of Pensions is a great victory for
the ring of Washington pension
sharks, all Of whom are rejoicing at
their prospects for growing rich
during four years of Tanners favor
able decisions, Preparations are
being made TO flood the country with
circulars inviting every ex-soldier,
including those who have been re-
fused pensions, to make new appli-
cations for them,
Within an hour after Tanners
nomination was sent to the Senate,
one agent here ordered 100000
circulars printed, and bought fifty
baskets of champagne to celebrate
his brilliant victory. Conservative
people are somewhat alarmed at the
appointment of Mr.. Tanner, who has
long been known to favor the giving
of indiscriminate pensions to every
soldier who served three months in
the Union Amy. Our pension list
is now nearly $lOO,OOO,OOO a year, and
it will be in Mr.. Tanners power to
largely increase that amount by
decisions under the present laws.
There is some talk of trying to de-
feat his confirmation by the Senate,
but it would hardly be possible, as
every Republican will vote for him
they dare not do otherwise.
a gentleman who is thoroughly
familiar with Pension Office practice
and who also knows Mr.. Tanner well,
said today: "The fiscal year begin
ming the first ofneXt July will show n
deficiency in the Pension appropria-
ton of from SlO,0OO,0OO to $jO,OOO,-
600 owing to the construction Tan
ner will put upon existing
laws, and it's dollars to pennies that
when the estimates are made for the
fiscal year-90-9l that pensions will be
put down for at least 5000, 900.
"Great Scott" And the war was
over twenty-five years ago. All the
poor newspaper men will have to be-
come pension agents and get rich.
That's the best thing l can think Of.
The Irish element in the Republi-
can party although small, has just
shown its power by preventing
Whitelaw Reid's being appointed
Minister to England. Reid had set
his heart on going to London, but he
got left, although he was nominated
Minister to France as compensation
for his ruffled feelings.
President Harrison has issued a
proclamation opening up portion of
Oklahoma Territory to settlement.
There is no good reason why it
should not have been issued two
weeks ago. '.'' 't
Justice Stanley Mathews of the
Supreme Court, who has been sick
since last summer, was on Wednes-
day last reported to be convalescent
On Friday he died. And then the
truth came out. His family knew Of
his dangerous condition and had nc
hope of his recovery, but decided tC
keep it from the public as long as
possible. 1t is almost impossible tC
get the truth about a prominent mar
who happens to get sick in Washing
ton. Just why the public shonld bt
fooled is question that has never
been satisfactorily answered. and i
would seem to be about time to stOI
lying in regard to such things. Thu
funeral of the late Justice took plac,
this afternoon from the family resi-
dence. 1t was attended by the Presi
dent and Cabinet, the Suprem,
Court and the Senate. After tn,
services the remains were placed OF
special train and started for Glen
dale, Ohio, accompanied by tn
Supreme Court.
ALVEY fight is going on among
the Republicans over the position O
Public Printer. In order to marrow
the lines somewhat NJ. Harrison ha
announced that the position shall g
to the West. 1t is difficult to ga,
who will win in the final round
which are now on, but the impress
sion is that Mr.. Merridith, of Chica
go, or Osburne, Of California, is tn
coming man.
The negro callers at the Whit,
House have been quite numerous G
late, but so far the President ha
given the cOlored brother nothinj
! at all, and he is getting somewha
| discouraged.
, The Senators are growing restles