The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-09-13
He Has Not Been rendered Another Appoint
ment, and Is Undecided What He VIII Do
When His Leave of Absence Expires.
Alleged Official Statement of the Causes
Leading to His Retirement.
His Resignation Was Not Demanded, but Was
Voluntary-Probability that Successor
Will Not Be Named for Some Time.


Mr.. Tanner Concludes His Official Work at
the Pension Bureau-His Future.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Sept. 12.-Late this after
noon Corporal Tanner left the Pension
Office. not to return again as its Commits
sioner. He has been given leave of alb
sence. to continue until his successor is
appointed and qualified. Deputy Commits
sioner Smith will be acting Commissioners.
Mr.. Tanner was in his office all day. sign
ing mail and attending to his last acts of
Office. Herefused to see callers. He simply
awaited official notification from the Presi-
dent that his resignation had been ac-
cepted and information from the Interior
Department as to what he was expected to
do with the office he was about to vacate.
When he was notified that he had been
granted leave of absence, he bade
his personal friends goodbye, and went to
his home in Georgetown. Mr.. Tanner re-
fused to be interviewed. Your correspond
ent. who enjoys cordial personal relations
with him, fwas admitted to his private
room, but was Immediately told that moth
ing would be said for publication
Mr.. Tanner deeply regrets that he got the
President into such an embarrassing situa-
tion, and it was for the purpose of showing
his gratitude toward the President that he
finally concluded to resign. He made up
his mind some time since that he wouldno
voluntarily yield the reins of office; rather,
however, than embarrass one who had hon.
ored him with a position he sought, Mr..
Tanner voluntarily rendered his resigna-
tion.
1t was generally believed on the streets
and in most of the official circles that Maj.
Warner, of Kansas City, late commanderof
the G. A. r.. would be appointed commis-
sioner. but it was stated at the Interior
Department, late this afternoon, that Maj.
Warmers coming to Washington at this
time had nothing whatever to do with fill
ing the vacancy existing in the Pension
Office. He was telegraphed, it was stated,
to come here for the purpose of meeting
Ex-Governor Foster. of Ohio, and other
members of the Sioux Indian reservation
commission, that the two might complete
their report, which is to be submitted to
the Secretary of the Interior. trans
ferred to the President. and then go
to Congress for the purpose of furnishing q
the opening of this reservation for settle
ment. 1t is not probable that Commits
sioner of Pensions will be appointed under
several weeks, and the Office may remain
in its present condition until after Con-
gress convenes, in December. The Presi-
dent is not determined just what he will
do. and it is not considered an emergency
exists which will require immediate action.
He may appoint Major Warner, but has not
said he even had him in mind.
Corporal Tanner is undecided as to
what he will do. and it may be
stated that the reports about his
having been rendered various appoint
ments at the hands of the administration
are without authority or fact. No trade
was entered into for the purpose of induc-
ing Mr.. Tanner to retire from Office, and no
compromises were made. His resignation
was not demanded. After he heard full
statement of the situation at his house, last
night. made by United States Marshal
Ransdell, who represented the friendly in
terests of both the Commissioner and the
President, he concluded that he would be
doing General Harrison an injustice if he
insisted upon remaining in his Office until
removed-if, indeed, he would have been
removed had he refused to vacate.
A Republican whose name is household
word throughout the country, and
who is an intimate personal friend of
Corporal Tanner ana General Alger, said
to your correspondent this afternoon.
in speaking of what the ex-Commissioner
was likely to engage in for livelihood:
when was at the G. A. r. reunion at
Milwaukee, last month, had long talk
which Commissioner Tanner was placed.
General Alger expressed very deep regret
and concern. He said that he had advised
Mr.. Tanner to be as judicious as possible in
his official capacity, performing his duties
not resign. General Alger added that he
had assured Commissioner Tanner, if he
would do as advised, and refuse to accept
any other appointments if removed, he al
ger) would back Mr.. Tanner in business
and provide better occupation than he
could secure In the government service.
Whether Tanners resignation and therefore
disregard of portion of General Alger's
advice will have the effect of causing the
Michigan statesman to neglect assistance
in the way of business. now that the Com
missioner is foot-loose. / do not know. I
am confident that Mr.. Tanner has no def
mite idea as to what the future holds for
ulIl III Tile way Ol OuuCc OT business Occupa-
tiOn."
There is general sym pathy for Corporal
Tanner in Washington. He has been uni
formly courteous and kind to those who
have called ut his Office on official business
or in private capacity. He has been ex-
tremely attentive to the veterans and the
common classes, and has been considerate
of the wishes and feelings of all who have
come In contact with him. At the same
time there is, no inclination on
in
g. A. R.. or elsewhere, to be- hasty, aud
fly to extremes. There is such a thing as
the CorporaPs army of friends standing by
him without becoming revolutionary. The
veterans here are moderate and are inclined
to study every phase of the circumstances
which confronted the President as well as
the Commissioner of Pensions. Most of the
criticism is directed toward Secretary
Noble and Assistant Secretary Bussey.
Whers there have been expressions on the
part of members of the G. A. X. it is gener-
ally directed toward those officials who are
charged by some to have not been as friend
~ toward the Commissioner as they should
have been. Assistant Secretary Bussey as
serts his innocence of the oft-repeated as
sertion that he. months ago. encouraged an
estrangement between Secretary Noble
and the Commissioner of Pensions, or that
he in any way contributed to the placing of
the Commissioner in an embarrassing at
titude toward either tho Secretary or the