The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-06-18
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, ID. C.. June 1s,

WASHINGTON, ID. T.. June ID, 1881.
Hon Commissioner Raum. of the Pension
Bureau is to follow the inglorious retreat of
Corporal Tanner. resolution has been filed
in the House. directing the committee on in.
valid Pensions to inquire into charges that
have been filed with the President relative to
the conduct of the Pension Bureau. The
charges against the commissioner are scandal
GUS. almost beyond belief to those unacquainted
with the process by which pensions are obtain
ed 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 lawyer
unless the applicant is unable to write. The
idea of having an attorney here to look after
the clients interests is a mistake that brings
large returns to the pockets of the SO called
pens ion attorneys, but their clients derive no
benefit for the expense.
10 employ an attorney here is simply an ad-
ditional 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 through his attorneys hands. Then
it is usually necessary to apply to some Justice
of the Peace POOR local lawyer t1 have the
afidavits 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 Washington
attorney is not to be seen. and he is regarded in
his true light by those acquainted with his
methods. That is confidence man who
preys upon the ignorance of the old soldiers
He is thoroughly despised by reputable lawyers,
but like the quack doctors. he has learned q
scheme to make money, and fot rishes. Tanner
dropped on to the trick while he conducted the
Pension Bureau, and since his expulsion. has
| been practcing the tricks he learned there. In
an interview this week in one of the Washing
ton papers, in an ebullition of joy he announced
that he had made S1O1.OO0 in the last year as
pension attorney. and expected his yearly in
come to soon reach the figures 100000. This
opportunity might be a great temptation to
| whom 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 Of
fee. At the time. he was practically at the
head of the firm of Green B. Raum & Co.. pen
sion attorneys. The other members of the firm
were his sons. John and Green B.. Jr. Upon
the Installment of his father into Office, Green
B. was appointed Chief of the Appointment Di-
vision of the Bureau. and John was left in
charge of the Office. where he has continued to
do hourishing business for the firm. He has
been furnished in advance with decisions from
the department., which he conveyed to his pa
irons in solicitation OF their claims He has
had his cases made special and called ont of the
| regular order. at pleasure. with no reason to
offer but the Inherent prerogative of the firm.
But worse is the fact that Gen. Raum engaged
| in selling stock of a company OF which be is
president, in worthless patent refrigerator,
| to his subordinates. The Bureau was flooded
with circulars advertising the stock. signed by
| the commissioner as president. Employees who
purchased were promoted without fui ther solic.
/ itation on their part.
One Turner. who subscribed to the extent Of
$3.50, was promoted within week afterward
| from position of $500 to $1,4 o.; and seven
| other clerks of like experience have had their
names left on record with the President. Again
the great pension octopus, Geo. E. Lemon. has
been for weeks working up plan to have
special consideration for lot of his old cases
that lacked some detail in evidence. The Com
missioners held out against this scheme fol
some time. but finally acceded to it and thereby
put 800 coo in Mr.. Lemons pocket Three
| days afterward, the Commissioner gave hi:
| note for $25 600, bearing MIR. Lemons indorse
ment 10 a Washington bank. and drew thu
money on it. Then the President finally called
| o halt, and it remains to be seen what the Dem
| ocratic minority of the committee having charg'
of the investigation will do in the premises.