The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-09-27
RAUM TO FOLLOW TANNER.
HE MAI SOON RECEIVE A REQUEST FOR
HIS RESIGNA TON.
Tho Administr alton Anxious to Unload Him
Before the Democratic Congress Begins
an Investigation into the Conduct OF the
Pension Buresu-An Unconnrmcd Rumor
In wsshinGton that Ex-senator Blnir VIII
be Named as Gen. Raum's successor.

Pension Bureau-An Unconnrmcd RumOr
In wssAinGton that Ex-senator Blair VIII
be Named as Gen. Raum's Successor.
WASHINGTON. Sept. 28.-The Harrison Admin
istration is said to be on the point OF having
another Pension Offlce row. Among tho big
appointments soon to be made by the Prcs-
dent there will probably appear the name of
new Commissioner OF Pensions. the third in
less than three years. The report is abroad
to-day that tho President will soon accept tho
resignation OF Pensions Commissioner Raum.
and appoint as his successor ex-senator Blair.
This rumor lacks direct verihcation. but there
Ia little doubt that Gen. Raum Is to be ro-
moved. whether or not Mr.. Blair Is the man
chosen to tako his place.
Soon ufter President Harrison returned from
Cape May he had long talk with Gen. Raum.
at which 1t was plainly intimated that the Ad-
ministration would be pleased to get rid OF the
embarrassment caused by tho retention Of tho
Commissioner In offlco. and that as soon as his
successor could be selected the General might
expect to receive q request for his rcsigna-
ton. President Harrison has been inclined
to look with suspicion upon Gen. Raum
ever since tho investigation last winter.
whom 80 many unpleasant facts were
brought to light about the conduct OF
tho Pension Once. Then when the
investigation was followed By the discovery OF
the rascality OF the Commissioners son. con-
tinued sftcr he had been dismissed from office.
tho President became more than ever con-
vinced that there must be change In the head
OF the bureau. Mr.. Harrison was very reluc-
tant to come to this conclusion. because the
appointment OF Gen. Raum hos been person.
al one with him. and he had repeatedly con-
graduated himself on having found at
last the right man for the right place.
When the House investigating commit
tee completed its work and made
whitewashing report last spring tho President
told Gen. Raum plainly that he must sec to 1t
that the House adopted the report, otherwise
his official head might be in danger. Speaker
Reed. however, thought the House had more
important business to transact In its closing
! hours, and SO the Raum withdrawing report
remained on the calendar without action.
During tho summer tho President
repeatedly expressed his dissatisfac-
| ton with tho conduct Of Commissioner
Raum. and intimated that the Administration
should unload him. but Secretary Noble stood
| in the way. He was Raum's friend from the
| beginning. and shielded him from the repeated
and serious attacks Of his enemies. both In
| and out Of the Pension Office. OF late, how
| ever. 80 many scandalous things have come to
| light that even the Secretary could find no ex-
CuS0 IOr the commissioner.
Gen. Raum has been very hard pressed
| financially owing to the failure OF his many
| business enterprises. which he hoped to float
mainly by using tho Pension ONCE force az GUS
tomers He could not prevent many Of his shady
| transactions from becoming known to tho
| public. Recently Col. A. l. Conger Of Ohio. a
! member Of the National Republican Committee.
| WAS compelled to bring suit against Gen.
| Raum, and other prominent men stand ready
| to 90 llkewiss The details OF the Commits
sioner's unhappy business ventures and his
acts OF favoritism to influential pension claim
ants who had assisted him out Of financial
difficulties have been given to the President
and Secretary Noble lately by men upon whose
| word they felt compelled to rely absolutely.
In addition to this some OF tho most eminent
men In tho Republican party. some Of them
proprietors OF strong party papers. have been
| to Washington and told the President that
It Is absolutely necessary for the party.
| and especially tho Administration part OF it
to get rid ofGen. Raum before the fall elections
and before the Democratic House has an op-
portunity next winter to conduct o fair and
impartial investigation. that will not result In
| whitewash report. but will bring to light the
true state Of affairs in the Pension Office since
These things all had a decided effect upon
l inc Hluu VI DtCTctATy. NOples uuus COuplco
| with some facts recently brought to his ears
about the scandalous conduct OF Gen. Raum 3
| son In continuing the office brokerage bust
ness which WAS Interrupted by his removal.
led him to withdraw. his support from Com
| missioner Raum and consent to his removal
The protracted congregation which ex Sen
ago undoubtedly referred ut least in an in
direct way, to the Pension Commissionership.
| The President has made some very remark
able appointments during his term Of officc.
| and 1t would not be surprising II he had deter
| mined to- take up Blair now and put him
Into the place where 80 many men haye made
conspicuOus. failures. President Harrison
sincerely believes that Blair.is q great. good,
and mnoh-abused nan. and that no H. friend
oftho people," Bair thinks 30. too. but 1t 10
the general opinion here among men Of both
political parties that II Blair Is put 9t the head
| Of the Pension Bureau he will make q failure
such as will cause Corporal Tanner to be re-
garded as level-headed man OF great intelli-
Rence and executive ability. and Gen. Raum
an innocent. public spirited. and honest mind
| ed statesman. 1t IL understood In Washing
ton that when Raum's removal docs take place
| there will be some surpriaing Developments
| about his conduct Of tho .office that have not
been made public. and which will cast into the
shade the shortfomlngs OF which no hns al
MR.. DAYITT ON PARNELL.
He Says That at the Next General Election
Psruen Will He Out OF Irish Politics.