The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1890-09-26
THE sMYsER SCANDAL.
An Eye-Witness' Account OF n Disgrace
full Chapter in the RAum Case

An Eye-Vyitness' Account OF n Disgrace
full Chapter in the RAum Case
Representative Smyser, of Ohio, who,
several weeks ago, was appointed a
member of the special committee to in
vestigate the management of the PEN
sion Bureau under Commissioner Raum,
rose in his place and admitted that
while sitting in judgment upon the
Commissioner he was himself financial
ly interested in the chief scheme, by
the aid of which, it has been alleged.
Raum has been able to swindle the
clerks in his employ and defraud the
Government of services which should
have been devoted exclusively to official
duties.
The charge and the confession pro-
duced a genuine sensation, but the
spectacle that followed was even more
remarkable. Smyser attempted justi-
fication amid the groans and misses OF
his colleagues on both sides of the
chamber, and sat down without with
drawing from the committee. He would
doubtless still be a member of it but for
the action of Representative Morrill,, OF
Kansas, chairman OF the special COM
mittee and political associate of Mr..
Smyser. Mr.. Morrill, rose in his seat
and pointedly suggested to the reluctant
ohloan the propriety of resigning. The
episode was decidedly edifying, and the
reflection upon Speaker Reed was so
strong that he fastened to disavow any
knowledge of Smyser's connection with
the Raum enterprises
Representative Cooper, of Indiana, to
whom credit is due for whatever light
the Republican majority of the Raum
committee permits to be shed on the
recent management of the Pension
ONCE, sprang the mine that carried Mr..
Smyser OF his feet Rising to ques.
ton of personal privilege, he called at
tention to the fact that one of the
charges made in the resolution offered
by him for the investigation of the Com
missioner of Pensions was that the
Commissioner was selling stock in q
refrigerator company to employees OF
the Pension Office. It have in vain
attempted TO obtain the names of the
stockholders in the concern said he.
To-day l have learned, and this know.
ledge is borne out by the testimony.
that one of the members of the inves-
tigating committee-Represen NJ.
L Smyser, of Ohio-is one of the stock
holders I therefore offer resolution
discharging Mr.. Smyser from the com
mittee, and directing the Speaker tc
appoint his successor
1t was plain Mr.. Smyser would moi
take hint; his colleagues, therefore,
prepared to administer the lesson. Rep
resentative Morrill,. of Kansas, chair
man of the committee, tried to let him
down easily, but only succeeded in ad'
ministering singing rebuke. '1t il
due to the Speaker and to the members
of the committee" said he, Ito say that
the first intimation they have had thai
one of the members had stock in the
refrigerator company was when the
books were produced The conduct Of
the gentleman from Ohio has been per
fectly honorable. He seemed to be de-
sirous of arriving at the truth and the
whole truth. i do not doubt the gen
tleman's motives in the least, but i do
hope now that in order to relieve the
other members he Will promptly with
draw from the committee"
This was pretty plain talk. and it ap
psared to penetrate the rhinocerous
hide OF the gentleman from Ohio, who
rose and said that while he felt thai
there was nothing In the charges
/ against General Raum in any way AT
| fscting him. in order to satisfy the
other giis q the House and the eoun