The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1890-06-19

Hon. Commissioner Raum of the
Pension Bureau, is to follow the in
glorious retreat of Corporal Tanner.
A resolution has been filed in the
House directing the committee on
Invalid Pensions to inquire into
charges that have been IiIed with the
President relative to the conduct OF
the Pension Bureau. The charges
against the commissioner are scan.
dalous, almost beyond belief to those
unacquainted with the process by
which pensions are obtained. For
one gifted with ordinary intelligence
there is no necessity for any lawyer,
or mediator, in the prosecution Of a
pension claim. The blanks, showing
the evidence required, are furnished
direct, on application, from the de-
partment. There is no occasion for a
lawyer unless the applicant is unable
to write. The idea of having an attor-
ney here to look after the clients in
terests is a mistake that brings large
returns to the pockets of the so called
pension attorneys, but there clients
derive no benefit for the expense.
To employ an attorney here is simply
an additional expense to an applicant.
for pension, who pays all the law
allows for the simple sake of letting
the correspondence with the depart.
ment pass so through his attorneys
hands. Then it is usually necessary
to apply to some Justice of the Peace
or poor local lawyer, to have the
affidavits of witnesses drawn, who
charges specially for each occasion
what he could do for nothing, if the
Washington lawyer didn't hold the
case. The advantage of the Washing
ton attorney is not to be seen, and he
is regarded in his true light by those
acquainted with mis- methods. That
is as a confidence man who preys upon
the ignorance of the soldiers. He is
thoroughly despised by reputable
lawyers, but like the quack doctors,
he has learned scheme to make
money and flourishes. Tanner dropped
| on to the trick while he conducted
| the Pension Bureau land since his ex-
pulsion has been practiclng the tricks
he learned there. In an interview
this week in one of the Washington
papers, in a ebullition of joy, he an
nounced that he had made 800, 900 in
the last year as pension attorney and
expected bis yearly income to soon
reach the figures 100000. This
Opportt nifty might be a great tempta'
! ton to " HON it be presented, but the
poor ignoramuses that pay for it
ought to open Their eyes. Since his
exposure people begin to wonder why
the President ever appointed Gen.
| Raum to the office. At the time he
was practically at the head of the firm
Of Green B. RaHaG2 + Co., Pension
attorneys. The other members of the
firm, were bis sons, John and Green
B. Jr. ~Tron the installment of his
saAs. office Green B., was ap-
eff of the Appointment
he Bureau, and John was
le1L IA. se of the ONCE where he
has continued to do a fiourshing bus,
mess for the firm. He has been
furnished In advance with decisions
from the department., which he con-
veyed to his patrons in solicitation OF
their claims. He has had his cases
made special and called out of the
regular order at pleasure, with nc
reason to offer but the inherent
| prerogative of the firm.
-
But worse is the fact that Gen
Raum engaged in selling stock Of {
company of which he is president, il
a worthless patent refrigerator,t to hi
su bordinates. The Bureau wa
flooded with circulars advertising thu
stock, signed by the commissioner al
president. Employees who purchased
were promoted without further
solicitation on their part.
| -
One Turner, who subscribed to tn,
extent of $3.50 was promoted within
week afterward from position O.
5000 to 81 400; and seven other clerks
of like experience, have had thel
names left on record with the Presi
dent. Again the great pension
octophus, Geo. E. Lemon, has beel
for weeks working up plan to hav'
special consideration for lot of hi
old cases that lacked some detail II
evidence. The Commissioner helC
out against this scheme for som,
time, but finally acceded to it ant
thereby put 800, 900 in Mr.. Lemon
pocket. Three days afterwards tn,
Commissioner gave his note TO
| s25, 900 bearing MIR. Lemons indorse
ment to Washington bank, and drew
the money on it. Then the Presiden
finally called a hals and it remains t,
be seen what the democratic minority
of the committee having charge o
i fha Investigation will do In FIJI.