The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-03-20
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Mar. 70, 1901

WASHINGTON, Mar. 70, 1891.
Mr.. Harrison has given no sign that
he intends to remove the present head
of the Pension bureau, notwithstand-
ing the damaging facts brought out by
the Congressional so-called investiga-
ton into the peculiar business
methods of Gen. Raum, although he
has had his attention called to the
matter by very prominent member
of his party, who, | have reason to
know. told him that Raum and his
wildcat speculations and his proven
obligations to the king Of the pension
sharks was more than he should at
tempt to carry. Raum has within
week, boasted to a personal friend that
he was all right and would not be dis.
turbed.
A democratic Representative said
to me to-day: Looking at the matter
from political point of view, / hope
that Harrison will not kick Raum out
now, because, If he is left in his po-
sition until next winter the democratic
House will snow him and his methods
up in a manner that will disgust all de-
cent men, whatever may be their po-
litical affiliations, and it will help us
greatly in the Presidential campaign
But whether Raum goes or stays we
shall investigate the Pension Office,
which | am satisfied is honev-combed
with fraud, that can easily be discover
ed, if it is fearlessly and honestly
looked for"
The air Of mystery which always
prevails around the State department
is just now very much intensified, ow-
ing to the fact that Mr.. Blaine and
Sir Julian Pauncefote are deep into
the negotiations preliminary to the
arbitration Of the Behring Sea ques-
ton, which Mr.. Blaine is pleased to
think or to pretend to think that he
has compelled Great Britain to ac-
cept, although all the rest Of the world
knows that he never made the slight
est progress toward d settlement Of the
dispute, until he returned to the posi-
ton maintained by Mr.. Bayard under
the Cleveland administration These
negotiations are not conducted at the
department. Oh, no. There are too
many prying newspaper men always
on the watch, SO whenever Mr.. Blaine
has any very important business on
hand it is transacted at his private
residence. The administration feels
very much relieved at the prospect OF
peaceful settlement of this question,
having last fall become fully satisfied
that the sentiment of the country was
opposed to any unnecessary display OF
''jingoism."
Mr.. Harrison was anxious to hrd a
good reason for. not appointing the
new Circuit Judges created by the late
Congress until next winter, doubtless
believing that the longer they can be
held the greater their value in votes al
the next republican national conven
ton, SO he referred the matter to At
torney General Miller, expecting tina
he would render an opinion agains
his right to make the appointments
during the recess of Congress. Blu
the Attorney General, following tn,
excellent example of Solicitor Genera
jerks in similar case that occurred
under Mr.. Cleveland, has given hi
opinion in favor of the President
right to make the appointments at an
time. Between this opinion and tn
clamorings Of the republican appli
cants and their friends, Mr. Harrison
will find it difficult to postpone tn
matter very long, although he still pre-
fesses to be in doubt as to his right t
make them until Congress is in ses
sion.
Treasurer Huston is again at hi
desk, although he cannot hide his an,
iety to have his resignation accepte
in order that he may feel at liberty t
express his opinion of Mr.. Harriso
and his administration. An attemI
was made to get him out of the wa
by giving him foreign appointment
but he refused to be caught, and say
that he intends to return to Indian
for the express purpose of taking a
active part in politics, which is ir
terpreted to mean that he will do h
level best to prevent that state er
,dorsing Mr.. Harrison.
If things go on for few day
longer as they have for several day
past, there will not be a democr;
employee left in the government prin
ing Office. 1t is customary to large
reduce the force shortly after the az
journment Of Congress, and that r.
duction is now being made, and ii
discharged people are nearly all dem,