Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-10-03
TANNER WRITES A LETTER.


CORPORAL Tanner Writes Letter to Pm.
vate DaIzell About the Pension Once
Middle.
ST. LOUIS, Sept. GA special to the
Republic, from Caldwell O., gives the fol-
lowing letter which explains itself. lie
authenticity is fully vouched for:
: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
WASHINGTON, Sept 10, 1889.
Hon. j. N Dalzet, CaldsOttGtO.:
My Dear Dalzell: have yours OF the 18TH
think have read all that has been printed as
coming from your lips or PEN For your great
warmth OF good feeling thank you from the
bottom of my heart
And now, once for all, about the deputysnip.
I want to say to you that the President never
said one word to me about you can not come
out and say that publicly: you must not quote
it.: but it is Gods truth. The one appointed
first deputy was from Mobiles State. and had
lost two limbs. OF course, could not KICK
imagine that your keen eye has caused you
to discern, and that you are contemplating the
effect in Ohio of two thincs re Gently done In the
Pension Once. When say recently, I mean
since practically went out. for. While am
Commissioner, and will be until my successor
is appointed and qualities am taking no part
in the duties of the office, holding my own
leave. While Commissioner is 'ued two Or
ders which I thought, and still think, are
mighty good ones. First, that the 33.O 600 men
on the pension roll at less than p month
should all. unless they had had medical ex-
animation within year, be ordered for ex-
q view to putting them up at least 81 per month
pension or drop them off the roll: for it was and
is my opinion that for a man who is worthy OF
any pension at all, Il a week is small enough to
consider a pension My second order was that
thereafter in the settlement OF pension Claim
the word OF private if he was man OF good
standing and character, should amount to as
much in the settlement OF the claim as the
word Of the man who had perhaps worn the
shoulder straps OF Second Lieutenant Inc
Acting Commissioner revoked both of these or
ders according to the Washington Post and
other papers, but as he is a. nan who dare not
say his soul is his own he did it under the direc-
ton of Noble or BusSey.
I am told this afternoon that the order re-
voking my decision OF the small pension cases
has been rescinded, but you can see what The
spirit is; and how under heavens. are they go
ing to make the boys believe that there is to be
no change in the policy?
Smith also issued an order stopping all rerat-
ings. He did not object to it until after had
rerated him and put him up to S72 for the loss
of his arm and Leg thereby putting s6.0a5 in his
pocket. held. and still hold that he was
clearly entitled to it, but is it not contemptt-
BILE that man who had that done for him and
who acquiesced in it cordially in his own case
should now be so pronounced against the rerat-
ing of poor devils who, perhaps, from the effects
of malarial poisoni1g;chronic diarrhea. some
disease OF that kind, suffers twice as much as
man does from amputation?
want to say to you that did not resign un-
said to me in the same minute that the COM
pleted report of the investigating committee,
which lay before them, contained no word
which would impeach the honesty OF my action
in the slightest degree. Then had to consider
whether was man enough to decline to con-
tinue In position where knew my immediate
official superiors did not want me, even con-
ceding that could stay against their wishes,
which is not at all true. have not the slightest
doubt but thatI would have been removed if I
nod. tn nn 1yy,nr Nn1,1 10 6sad
certainly pronounced his ultifhatuIn to be my
head or his resignation, and, of course, a break
in his Cabinet would have embarrassed Harri-
greatly.
Now that have completed the report. and
have gone through it carefully and thoroughly,
I say to you, as whose good opinion value,
that all under the heavens they can charge me
with is too much iberality and too much speed
in the granting OF pensions. I think you will
agree with me that we have had lmpecunlOS1ty
and procrastination enough, that it would
take more than six months OF my time to bring
it up to a decent average.
OF the future know nothing If the boys,
and particularly those in Ohio acquiesce, why,
it is safe to say that Tanner will be left where
he is-in the soup.
Among the promotions announced in the
Pension Office night before last is that of Har-
rison L. Bruce, OF Colorado, to be a member Of
the board of pension appeals in the Secretary's
office at s., 600 year. He had been detailed for
duty in the secretary's Office for some months,
and was appoin ted by the Secretary one OF the
Commission which investigated the Pension
ONCE. Don't you think 1t would have looked a
little better if they had waited at least until
after had passed out of official life before thew
promoted him? Some will be cynical enough
to reflect upon cause and effect, service and re-
ward. With all my heart very truly yours,
JAMES TANNER
P. ST. have written you with great freedom
Don't give me any cause to regret it by saying
any thing about this letter. It is to you, solely