The Indianapolis journal., 1890-08-22
Their Weakness Shown by the Commits
siOner, Who Speaksin HiS0wn Behalf.
Explanation Of His Relations with Attorney
Lemon-No Stock Sold to Pension Office
Employes-COoper Loses His Temper.
Debate inthe House on the Merits of Cot
tOn-Seed Oil and Lard as Food.
Call for Twenty Millions of BOnds-Effort to
Stop the Sale of Liquors i'm the Capitol
Conference over the Election Bill.
MIR. RAUM CLEARS HIMSELF.

MIR. RAUM CLEARS HIMSELF.
Cooper's Charges Denied by the Commits
sioner, and Shown to BE Untrue.
Special 70 the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON. Aug. H.-One days work
in the investigation of the charges pre-
ferred against Pension Commissioner Raum
has been sufficient to show the animus of
the attack made upon him by Representa-
tive Cooper, of Indiana. Mr.. Cooper has
played q game of bluff from the start. In
the first place, he had no idea that his
assertions on the floor of the House would
lead to a real business like investigation by
special committee appointed by the
Speaker. Cooper thought he would create
sensation and make reputation among
his constituents, but directly that
the investigation was ordered and the
Speaker announced the committee the
Indiana Democrat began to hedge.
When Commissioner Raum took the wit
ness-stand he proudly stated to the COM
mittee that more than a year ago in private
business transactions with Pension Agent
Lemon. and prior TO the time when he sup
posed he would ever be Commissioner OF
Pensions, he engaged in some manufactur-
ing business with Lemon. and needing
money borrowed s12.OO at bank here upon
the latter's Endorsement, but not until he
had given to the indorser ample collateral
security. He stated that this was the only
financial favor Lemon had ever granted
him, and it was at that time q ply sical
impossibllity for him to favor Lemon
in his pension agency business.
Commissioners Raum stated that the charges
that he had sold stock in his refrigerator
and other companies to Pension Office en-
ployes with the understanding that he
would promote them or give them favors.
was utterly and wholly untrue. as he had
never sold any stock in any company to
Pension Office employees nor had any one
else sold any stock In anything that he was
interested to any Pension Office employe,
nor did the latter have any interest In any
business that the witness was interested
in. When the committee refused to require
the Commissioner to go further into his
private affairs than was necessary IN
order to meet all of the charges
withdrew. from the investigation. To-day's
proceedings prac ctically brought the inves-
tigation to close. The charges were in
stigated by Democrats who were dis
missioners Tanner and Raum. and who
sought vengeance through reckless cherges
in the mouth of Democratic member on
the floor of the House.
Proceedings Of the Committee
WASHINGTON, Aug 2l.-The Raum in
vestigatiOn was resumed this morning Mr..
Cooper, who formulated the charges, made
brief explanation of his position, after
which Mr. Raum took the stand. The wit
ness denied that any employe of the PEN
sion Office, save himself, ever owned any
stock in the refrigerator company, and
consequently the charge that employees had
been promoted because of such ownership
was false. Mr.. Cooper then demanded to
see the books of the company. but Mr..
Raum refused to produce them. He was
willing that the members of the committee
should inspect the stock book of the COM
pany but not that it should go into the
records. Mr.. Raum said that Mr. Cooper
gave to the press everything he got hold
of, and had made public documents in
trusted to him for the inspection of the
committee on rules. Mr.. Cooper insisted
on seeing the books himself. and upon the
committee refusing him this privilege,
gathered up bis books and papers and left
the room. The committee then resumed
the investi CATION on its own hook.
Commissioner Raum said that he had
borrowed $4,000 upon the Endorsement OF
George T.. Lemon, and renewed the notes
from time to time. The notes were held by
the National Bank of the Republic. Mr..
Lemon held witness's collateral for twice
that amount. The refrigerator company
was organized last January, and was CON-
posed of men Of high standing. He never
gave priority to any claims for Lemon or
any other attorney. Attorneys have never
secured priority at all; members of Congress
sometimes did. Mr. Lemon was anxious TO
have his cases before the Pension Office
pushed along. He presented number of
slips. each relating to a case, which was re-
ported to be ready for action. witness
promised to look into the matter, and asked
Mr.. Lemon to make up twenty-five or
thirty cases and present his views This
was done. Witness presented Mr. Lemons
letter to the committee, and it was read.
1t inclosed thirty complete pension cases
was dated Nov. I6 and expressed the hope
that the bureau would begin the practice
of considering such complete cases at once.
The letter was referred TO the deputy Com
missioner for report, and he reported
against the plan. Therefore witness made
no order, written or verbal, for taking ND
Mr.. Lemons cases in advance OF the regu-
lar order. Mr.. Raum said that after fur
ther examination and consideration of the
matter he. on Dec: y: issued the order con-
cerning completed files. on which were put
cases that seemed to be the most complete
and ready for adjudication. This had the
effect of greatly expediting the work of the
Office. Captain Lemon had had nothing to
do, he asserted, with the preparation Of
this or q subsequent order.
In reply to question by Mr.. Smyser, the
Commissioner emphatically declared that
he had not advanced any of Lemons cases
over those of others on the completed lists.
He had instructed the chiefs of divisions in
the Office to show no favoritism In the con-
sideraton of cases.
Representative Cooper was requested by
the committee to return and resume his
connection with the case, which he did,
and the committee adjourned until to-mor-
row.
COTTON-sEED OIL VERSUS LARD.
Interesting Discussion on the Subject by
Members of the House--A Farmers Measure.