Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-08-22
LEFT In DISGUST.
A Show ofTemper in the Raum
Investigation.
COOPER GETS HIS BACK AWAY UP

And Leaves the Room I'm Wrath Because
a Point Is Decided Against Him-He
Cools on and Comes Back, However
Raum Puts in Some Deni als-The Treas
ury Changes Its Offer for Bonds-A
Statesman Who Is Evidently Not
Poet Very Much.
WASHINGTON CITY, Aug 22.-The spe-
,ial house committee appointed to investi-
gate the charges made by Representative
Cooper, of Indiana, against Commissioner
of Pensions Raum began its investigation
yesterday. Commissioner Raum was the
first witness called. Cooper stated to the
committee that the charges he had made
were based upon newspaper items, but he
had ascertained himself by private inquiry
that there was foundation for them. He
thought the investigation was due con-
gress, as well as the commissioner himself,
with whom his relations had always been
pleasant.
Cooper and the Committee.
He COOPER had been omitted from the
committee on the ground that he was an
interested party. In that action he had
at first acquiesced, but he had found since
that there was no precedent for leaving
off the committee the mover of the reso-
luton under which it was appointed. He
had no special desire to serve, but he
stated the fact to explain his relation to
the investigation. He had no personal
grievance against the commissioner, and
was present because the committee on
rules preferred to have him appear as an
attorney for the United States and the
people.
Raum Begins His Testimony.
Commissioner Raum then took the stand
and said he was present to give all the in
formation he possessed bearing upon his
ofiic ial conduct, and he feared no investi-
CATION. But he objected to dragging in
the private books of the refrigerator COM
pany, as it had nothing to do with the
charge of official corruption. There
fore he declined to bring the books called
for. He won Id state broadly that no stock
had been offered to any of the employees
of the pension Office, nor had any stock
been sold any employee of that Office, nor
had any employe been promoted rs a re-
suit of taking stock in the company.
Cooper Becomes Huny.
Shortly after this an incident occurred
that gave more life TO the proceedings.
Cooper asked Raum TO state how much he
was worth. To this question the members
of the committee objected on the ground
that 1t was not proper. Cooper became
excited, and said that it was plain that
the committee WAS endeavoring to shield
Raum. This remark caused excitement.
and the scene was intensified when Cooper
rose from his seat and walked out of the
room, evidently very angry. The exami-
uation of Raum was then continued with
out Cooper.
With Re ference to lemon
On cross-examination by Lewis, Raum
said that he had abolished tn practice of
calling up cases out of their order, and
that under the new order Mr. Lemon, to
his knowledge. had not been shown any
preference whatever. For the informa-
tion of the committee Raum had read or.
ders issued by him creating the COM
pleted files and notifying agents to apply
for a settlement of completed cases.
That Note for $4,000.
Lewis, referring to Raum's previous
statement that he had transferred to
Lemon 500, 900 of stock in "A gypsum mine
as consideration for indorsing Raum's
note for SIS, 900. asked how much the
thought Raum should tell the co mmittee
this. Raum said the stock was worth
about SIS, 900
Want Cooper to Come Back.
Lewis at this point said that the sudden
and inconsiderate withdrawal of Cooper
had placed Goodnight and himself (the
Democratic members of the committed in
an awkward attitude. That the investi-
CATION might be thorough, it WAS neces-
sary that Cooper should return. Cooper
would return il he and Goodnight would
request it. Cooper had left the room in
some temper, and others also had shown
temper
The Angry Statesman Returns.
Judge Jere Wilson, who said that he
represented Capt. Lemon as friend dur
ing the iatter's absence in Europe, said
he hoped that Cooper had Withdrawn
permanently. Lewis said that he
thought that Cooper was wrong in
asking the question that caused the
rupture, and he had voted with
his Democratic brother to sustain the
question on general principles, and rather
reluctantly. This remark caused much
laughter. Cooper was sent for and shortly
appeared. The committee however, de
clded to close the inquiry for the day
WANTS TWENTY MILLIONS.