The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-08-08
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON. D. c., July 10th.

WASHINGTON. D. c., July 10th, 1882
The Pension Bureau is enjoying sensation
of the biggest kind. Certain newspapers hay'
been making charges of more or less importance
against almost every branch of that Office eve
Since Commissioner Tanner took charge. AND
Low the action of Secretary Noble in appoint
ing committee to investigate the re-rating o
all pensions during the past twelve months anc
the charges of favoritism in making the appl
cations of prominent pension attorney of thi:
city special has opened the eyes of a good
many people to the fact that there must be some
basis for these charges. The committee inves-
tgating holds daily sittings in the Pension Office
The sessions are secret but enough has leaked
out to make it certain that they have discovered
very loose way of doing business in the matter
of re-rating pensions; it has been learned to a
certainty that many clerks in the Office have
been largely benefited by getting their pensions
re-rated, some of them getting an increase of as
much as $40 month. Itis believed that many
discharges will follow the investigation. unless
the thing is hushed up, which is not at all prob
able now. If this committee should make a
whitewashing report there will be a Congress
ional investigation as soon as Congress meets,
that will show up the real condition of things.
Commissioner Tanner is said to have received
several letters from Governor Foraker, of Ohio,
urging him not to change his liberal policy
toward the veterans, at least not during the
gubernatorial campaign. From what can be
cd ft1 dc al
employed in the Pension bureau has had his
pension re-rated and increased during the last
twelve months. 1t is said that it was the amount
of money spent by certain Pension Office officials
that first aroused the suspicious of wideawake
newspaper man as to where it came from.
Smith, the colored democrat, who was dis
missed from the Sixth Auditors Office bids fair
to become a national issue. He says he will ap-
peal his case to the civil service commission and
demand reinstatement on the ground that he
was dismissed on account of his politics. He is
indulging in great waste of time and does not
seem to realize that the civil service law was
passed for the special purpose of being violated.
The alleged combination of Southern repub-
lican Representatives, who were to vote for
Brewer. of North Carolina, for Speaker of the
House until he was elected or the admnistra-
ten had agreed to give them the patronage they
claim. is already going 10 pieces. Representative
Ewart. of North Carolina having announced
his purpose to vote for Mckinley for Speaker,
and in the event of his withdrawal, for Bur-
roughs or Cannon.
The Chief of the Secret Service of the Treas
ury department is very important position in
more ways than one, and considerable talk has
followed the sudden withdrawal of the oppos-
ton of Grand Master Powderly and other labor
leaders to the appointment of Thomas Furlong.
a St. Louis railroad detective. to the position.
Furlong's principal backer is Russell Harrison,
son of the President. and it is generally believed
now that the labor opposition is removed, that
he will get the place. The labor people opposed
him because of his work during the western
railroad strikes. Why they withdrew their op-
position is a conundrum that is too much for
midsummer weather.
Senator Barbour of Virginia, who is chairman
of the democratic state committee has been in
terviewed on the political situation in that State.
He says Virginia is naturally democratic. 1t
is too early to outline the issue on which the
battle will be fought, but l presume Malone
will make the high protective tariff his rallying
cry. do not know how much of a figure
Langston. the negro weuld-be Congressman
will cut. He hates Malone enough to give him
trouble if he can, buthe may be bought off with
a good Office by the administration before the
campaign opens. The campaign will excite
national interest because the republican national
committee propose to aid their party with money
and speakers. l cannot name the democratic
nominee. but. whoever he is he will be the mex
Governor of Virginia
Senator Hampton has just returned from ar
extensive Canadian tour. He says the people
there are very seriously considering the annexa
ton question, and he thinks large majority art
opposed to it at the present time.