The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-09-19
RESIGNATION OF COMMISSIONERS TAN
NER.
Last week Commissioner Tanner sent the

RESIGNATION OF COMMISSIONERS IAN
NER.
Last week Commissioner Tanner sent the
President the following letter:
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, J
BUREAU PENSIONS, 7
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Sept. r. 1ss9.)
To the PRESIDENT:
The differences which exist between the Secre-
tsry Of the Interior and myself 10 the policy to
be pursued i'm the administration OF the Pension
Bureau have reached a stage which threatens
10 embarrass you TO extent which i feel 1
should not call upon you TO suffer, and, rs the
investigation into the affairs of the Bureau have
been completed, and assured, both by your
self and by the Secretary of the Interior, contains
ho reflection on my integrity an individual or as
an officer, herewith place my resignation in your
hands 20 take effect at your pleasure, 10 the end
that you may be relieved of any further embarrass-
ment in the matter.
Very respectfully yours,
JAMES TANNER, Commissioners.
The President replied as follows:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Sept. r. 1852. J
Hon. JAMES TANNER Commissioner of Pensions
DEAR SIR: Your letter rendering your resigna-
tion OF the Office OF Commissioner of Pensions has
been received, and your resignation is accepted,
10 take effect the appointment aud quail
fication of your SUCCESSOR ! do not think 1t
necessary in the correspondence to discuss the
causes which have led TO the present attitude oil
affairs in the Pension Oflice. You have been kindly
and fully advised OF my views upon most OF these
matters II gives pleasure to add that so far as
| am advised, your honesty has not at any time
been called into question, and beg TO renew the
expression OF my personal good will.
Very truly yours.
BENJAMIN HARRISON.
This tells the story. There was no i'm
pugnment of Corporal Tanners personal
integrity nor of his honesty of motive, and
the malignant assaults of the Mugwump
and other ssldier-hating papers had ahso-
lutely nothing to do with his retirement
Their tornado of lies and Misrepresentation
was entirely without effect upon the Presi-
dent and Secretaries.
We can give the comrades the strong
est assurance that they need have no fear
of change Of policy as the result of this
| incident. The question of more or less
liberality toward the soldiers, sailors and
| dependent ones has not entered into the dis
cussion. This can be relied upon. Whoever is
appointed to succeed Corporal Tanner will
be fully committed TO using all the means
at the command of the Pension Bureau with
| the highest intelligence and zeal in carrying
ont the purpose Of the laws TO do justice to
the saviors Of the Nation and TO do it speed
| lily. The Administration Will not take a
single step backward in this respect but
press onward with undated resolution.
On this important point President Har-
risOn, Secretary of the Interior Noble and
Assistant Secretary Bussey are rs earnest
and determined as any meH in the country.
They are unequivocally in favor Of giving
every man who helped save the Nation all
| that the laws intend he shall have, and OF
giving it to him as speedily as possible.
Corporal Tanners successor is as yet in
doubt The position has been offered TO
Maj. William Warner, who has recently
closed most successful term as Command
er-in-Chief of the GAR. He was offered
the place because his abilities and experience
in public affairs exceptionally fitted him for
it, and because his well-known views
on pension matters made him very
acceptable 20 the comrades Maj. War
ner hesitates about accepting the position
because 10 do so would greatly interiors
with his professional and other plans fol
life, and involve large pecuniaTy sacrifice
He is willing 10 make the pecuniary sacri-
fee for the sake Of his comrades but what
he regards as duties 10 others stand in thu
way of leaving his profession and resi-
dence in Kansas City for official life il
Washington. The comrades will reioic.
greatly if he accepts the place. If he doe
not, then some other equally jealous frient
Of the veterans and equally able admins
traitor will be appointed, and under kim tn,
Pension Bureau will 20 ON developing il
efficiency and extending its benefaclions d
all to whom the Nation owes so much.
MEET LIES WITH TRUTH.
The continuous fire of derogatory para
I Il ,-ts.fa. I. 4, H.. =. i.