The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-09-18
TANNER IS FORCED OUT.
HE RETIRes UNDER A VERY HOT FIRE.
The Subject of the Commissionership the
Principal Topic of Conversation
Noble Would Have Gone IL
Tanner Had Not.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11.-President Harrison
has received the resignation Of James W. Tan
ner as commissioner OF pensions. In his letter
conveying the resignation it is said the commits
sioner writes that he recognizes that differences
exist between himself and the secretary of the
interior respecting the administration of the
pension bureau, and those differences being
radical, in the interest of a thoroughly salts
factory administration of the Office, he should
resign.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 1.-THE crisis in the re.
lations between Secy. Noble and Pension Com
missioner Tanner, which, according to the
former, had been reached to-day, continues
without settlement at a late hour tonight.
Upon the best authority il may be said that the
commissioner has not been removed nor has his
resignation been requested by the president.
The same authority says what has been patent
for some time, that serious differences have
arisen between Secy. Noble and Commits
sioner Tanner over questions concerning
the administration OF the pension bureau,
but not in any wise affecting the commissioners
personal character. in the sense of imputing
conceded that these matters related principally
to reratings of the pensions of employees and
officials of the bureau and others and TO GER
tain statements credited to the commissioner
in interviews and speeches. That lie the posi-
ton of affairs tonight but when the authority
quoted was asked if it would probably remain
so, he declined to commit himself, saving he
had no intention OF entering the Held OF
prophecy.
The air has been full of surmises and rumors
all day respecting the case OF Commissioner
Tanner, but the unanimous opinion is that
change in the office is imminent. The commits
sioner has not been at the Office to-day, having
spent the morning at his home, IN Georgetown,
and most of the afternoon at the white house,
in consultation with the president and Secy.
Noble. The secretary is reported to have said
that the president must decide which one OF
the two he will retain in his present position,
the commissioner or himself, but he will not
talk of the matter 10 newspaper people, and the
commissioner at this time Is equally non-com-
muncative.
First Deputy Commissioner Smith has been
in charge of the office to-day, but whether by
especial designation of Secy. Noble or simply
in the absence of the commissioner, cannot be
stated definitely. In all the excitement over
the matter, the lips of officials directly con-
nected Herewith seem TO be sealed. Since yes
terday morning the disposition of the case has
been under advisement at the white house.
Secy. Noble has had several conferences with
the president and Secy. Tracy, who is generally
accepted as Commissioner Tanners friend and
advocate, has had as many hearings but what
is the result of them all has not been declared.
1t is generally believed that the principal topic
of discussion at these conferences was what to
do with Mr.. Tanner, IN case change shall be
made in the office of commissioner of pensions.
Two appointments have been discussed in
this connection outside of the official circular
u. s. marshal for the southern district of New
Nj 81. -
is said, Commissioner Tanner can have if he
leaves the pension bureau, without doubt AS
to the other office, President Harrison is quoted
saying that he had no intention of removing
Gen. Rosecrans. 1t is said to-day, however,
that the president was ignorant until yester-
day of the fact that Gen. Rosecrans is drawing
two salaries from the government, one as reg
lister OF the treasury, and one as brlgadier-gen-
eral. The gentlemen who mentioned this to
him says that the president was much sur
prised at learning it. The office OF marshal
pays s, 500 and that Of register 81, 900. Mr..
Tanner is reported as being very reluctant to
return to Brooklyn.
With the rumors of change in the head of
the pension bureau has come discussion of the
possible successor to Commissioner Tanner.
Senator Hiscock is credited with pushing the
claims of Extension Agent Poole of Syracuse
for the place. Ex-Gov. Foster OF Ohio, who
was alleged to have originated the scheme to
provide for Commissioner Tanner by making
him register of the treasury, is said to be sup
porting Gen. Charles Brown of Cincinnati,
who was q prominent candidate for appoint
ment with Tanner. 1t is the general impression
that New York will not again be favored if
change is made.
At the pension bureau the rumors concerning
the tenure of the commissioner have had dis
quieting effect, naturally. and a speedy settle
ment OF the controversy is essential to good
administration of the office.
One report tonight was that President Har-
rison had advised Commissioner Tanner TO
resign. Gen. Alger, commander-in-chef of the
NhiiAroa Nru Coz