New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-22
THE RAUM INVESTIGATION.
THE COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS DENYING
CHARGES OF FAvoRTTISM.
EXPLAINING HIS BUSINESS RELATIONS WITH
Mr.. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES COOPER RE-
TIRES FROM The CASE, BECAUSE OF
ALLEGED UNFAIR TREATMENT BY
THE COMMITTEE, BUT RETURNS.

Washington Aug 21.-The special House Com
mfttee this morning began the investigation Of the
charges made against Pension Commissioner Rauln
placing the Commissioner the stand. Mr.. Cooper
prefaced the examination by statement 10 the effect
that his charges had been based upon newspaper
articles and that he had upon private inquiry as
certained that there foundation for the articles
He believed that the Investigation due To Congress
as well as the Commissioner himself. with whom his
relations had always been pleasant and friendly he
Mr. Cooperl had been omitted from the special In
yestigating committee the ground that he was an
interested party In that action he at first acqmesced
but upon investigation he had f0und that there was no
precedent for leaving Oft the committee the mover OF
the resolution under which 1t was appointed. lie
had no personal desire ambition 20 serve; but men
toned the fact explain his relation to the investg
uon He had no personal grievance against Connis
soner Raum and present because the committee
On Rules preferred TO have him appear as an attorney
for the United States and the people
Commissioner Raum, replying said that nc had
nothing TO do with the makeup of the committee Mr
Cooper would not gainsay the statement that nc hau
been in constant communication with the Heh VIII
wrote the newspaper articles
Mr. Cooper interrupted Mr.. Raum TO say that he had
never communicated with the newspaper correspondents
before the publications were MADE al'er"au III au
the source of their information.
Continuing Commissioner Raum declared that he
was present to tell everything that had any bearing
upon his official conduct and lie feared no lnVesusa'
ton But lie objected to dragging in the private DOCKS
of the refrigerator company, it had nothing to 90
with the charge of official corruption Therefore he
had declined TO bring the books calod for lie would
state broadly that stock had been offered TO any
employe of the Pension Office; nor had any been soa
to any employee had any employe OF the Pehs!oh
Office bee promoted result OF any sales oil socK.
Mr. Cooper declared that he could not pIOceeu IL
the door was to be closed at the beginning
The Commissioner said he did not OBJECT to the
fullest Investigation, and would help the Committee
lie was president of the Universal hcHlsca-
tor COMPANY had the books, knew the stockholders,
and was prepared 10 swear that no other Pension
Onice employe held stock The behind Mr.. Cooper
had set themselves the villancus task OF destroy
ing his Raums) character and credit. lie was Will
ing that the members of the committee should in
spect the stock book, but not that should go INTO
the record.
Mr. Lewis insisted that the book should DC p.o
duced as ii the best evidence.
Mr. sawyer offered a resolution which was adopted.
recurring the evidence TO be taken as to The iret
charge to relate TO the alleged promotion OF en-
ployes because Of purchase Of stock or connection
with the Refrigerator Company.
Mr. SAWYER then inquired If the Commissioner would
supply the committee with the book OF stockholders in
the Refrigerator Company to be withheld from publc
ton.
The Commissioner said he would furnish the matter
to the committee. Tie trouble was that III. Cooper
gave 10 the pres everything he got hold Of. He had
to submit to the Committee on Rules.
Mr. Symser ashcd IL Mr. Cooper would not accept
the assurance OF the committee. after had examined
his stock book. that Pension Office employees name
appeared upon it,
Mr. Cooper preferred to look at the book himself.
He had heard il runOlcd that Pension Office employees
had taken the stock and when the newspapers ex-
posed the thing the subscriptions were withdrawn and
the list cancelled. Commissioner Raum challenged the
statement.
Mr.. Cooper said that he not ready 10 proceed
unless he could the books.
Commissioner Eaum did not want Mr.. Cooper gong
through his papers unless he would agree 70 keep them
Oat Of The newspapers
NJ Cooper would not agree to that because his
Inquiries as 10 whctlcr fgurcheads lad not been put
IN 10 represent Pension Office employees would be
made publicly, and lie would not assume responsibility
TO- 2ny publications.
The Commissioner said that this company was no
".n.Sy~ affair." that there sisters" aunts' o?
cousins" in it and that the stock list was made up
q. vciLhnown men OF high character.
Mg cooper declared that unless he could see al OF
tie books and papers Of the refrigerator company he
had no desire 20 20 with the Investigation but finally
consented proceed until the production Of the docu
ncnfs became necessary, and began the examination OF
ttc Commissioner.
Mr. Raum said that, while he had had about 100
or 200 pension on his docket when he was aIe
pointed Commissi Oner he had given personal at
tcguOn 10 that class of business but left 1t TO Ms sons
who were associated with him IN his legal practice.
Mr. Cooper asked Mr.. Raum what property nc pos
sessed when appointed Commissioner.
The Commissioner submitted that this was not
proper inquiry, and the committee decided that ii
should nOt be answered. Til reup0n Mr. Cooper again
refused 10 proceed saying that the decision Of the
committee revealed predetermined disposition to
shield this from fair Investigation
This aroused the ire Of the majority members. Chair
man Morrill, declared that The language uicalih
N ayrtai flpd 4 gu q
no gentleman would make it, and ! am personally re
sponsible." Mr.. Cooper replied oh, Judge; ALL not
afraid Of You" Alter moments rejection Mr..
Cooper arose and stated that he had IN tic heat OF the
moment said something he regretted, and he wished TO
withdraw MS TcILdrhs.
Mr sawyer then withdrew his remarks, but Mr..
Cooper not 10 be placated, and, announcing thlt
he wac so bound by the committees action a. to tc
stopped from proceeding properly, ne pcRcd up Ms
The committee then proceeded with the examination
OF the Commissioner. he said that he had borrowed
$4,000 upon the Endorsement OF George f. Lemon ana
renewed the notes from time to time Inc no'c Was
held by the National Bank OF the Republic. NJ
Lemon held witnesses collateral for twice that amount
Witness held part of valuable Mining pIoperW IL,
Virginia. including Of the best gypsum deposits ia
By raiiSosd Seicre T winter Witness ntere.t
MOTIF go oQo Mr lemon hed 1iock OF e no ,He
which now amounted TO $1,000.
The refrigerator company organized last Janu-
airy. Witness never gave priority 70 any claims fOr
Lemon or any other attorney. Attorneys had never
secured priority at all members Of Congress
under embarrassing circumstances, ~ would be rche
bs:cd lie had promised 10 put the business OF tho
onte in complete Order and began to investigate tho
subject He found that there was intoeratie Gelay
IN the Office some claims remaining ten years unc0n-
uered lie found that the system was such that INC
Claimant had discretion In the consideration OF MS
cam He brought this state of affairs 10 the attention
VI te secreasys Office discussed it with Assistant
oeCIgaTy Bnssey, and spoke OF remedial measures.
along. lie presented a number of slips, each relating
t1e case which reported to be ready for actor s
,MIuess promised 70 look into the matter. and ASKED
Mr. Lemon to make up twenty five or thirty cases ana
present. MS views. This done. Witness pre-
sehied Mr Lemons letter 10 the committee, and 1t was
read IL ncosed thirty complete pension cases was
Calc9 november 10, 1882 and expressed the hope that
tne Bureau would begin the practice Of considering
sucn complete cases al The letter was referred
70 the Deputy Commissioner for report. In his report