The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1891-05-29
PENSION OFFICE SCANDALS.
How Young Raum Became Fascinated by
Women and tiaen Corrupt.
OTHER YOUNG BLooDs

WAsnIScroS, May 2S.-Notwithstandine
the numerous denials that the relations
between the Commissioner of Pensions
and the Secretary of the Interior are in
harmonious, it is well understood here
mat the great friction exists between
them. Gen. Raum had not a saYory rem
u'a'ion rs business man when he was
appointed Commissioner Of Pensions b.
President Harrison lie had been The
representative, attorney or promoter pi
various enterprises in which the stock
holders had lost their investments. The
most conspicuous of these was the refrig-
eating scheme whicE passed through the
ordeal OF Congressional investigation at
tire last session. The fact that everything
that Raum touched proved Improbable
to those who invested thei, moucy has
lett y fixed impression that Raum is Il
professional "kitcr." Now Secretary
Noble is trying to run kim out of the
Pension office because his business repu-
tation is lad, AID not because the Office
itself has been badly administered.
Hencral Ranm is very sensitive Oh this
point, and believes that he can show to
tie President that the Office has been
properly conducted and that Mobiles pur-
pose is TO remove him because he cannot
fully control him rather than for mprov-
ing Tie public service
Unfortunately for Commissioner Rauin
he is now confronted with the misdoings
OF his own son, who held tile confidential
position of assistant chief clerk. Young
kaum has acted badly, AMI the conse-
quences hereafter may be serious. How
ever it is not an isolated case in Washing
Ton where the public have been emhar-
raised in the past by the actions of de-
generate sons. The youthful career Of
james G. Blaine, Jr., John A. Logan, Jr.,
Butler Malone and Paul Holman were
such as to famliarize the public with the
fact that an illuStrious man might have
discrcditable progeny. Young Raum,
therefore, does not necessarily involve
his father, though Secretary Noble would
like to have the situation viewed iii that
light.
The weakness CT young Raum has run
in the direction of women. He was first
led astray BY one OF the Russell sisters,
better known as the Grace sisters, pair
of adventuresses, who have had relations
more Or less intimate with public men in
Washington. They are twins who origi-
nally hailed from Baltimore, having a
capacity for drink only cqual!cd by their
ability to spend money when furnished by
some male admirer. The two Russells
are exact countcrparts OF each other, and
are us well known to the high rollers in
Washington as the President is to the
members OF his Cabinet. A few years
ago Raum IT., formed al attachment for
one of these gay creatures, Later he re-
lihquished it, either because of his ina
bility to supply Il sufficient amount OF
liquor Or money Or because he had form
cd attachments elsewhere. The latter is
probably the case, because he has trans
fcred his affection from one idol TO
another quite rapidly in recent months.
Meanwhile he has spent money lavislly in
pursuit Of his indiscretions, and it is no
surprise to lis associates that lie has felt
called upon to tap the public funds in
order to keep pace with his. OWE follies.
His lascsf exploit has hoen 10 iangulsh III
the blanlslmcni Of !; blonde OH Capitol
Hill. 1t was to rcgale her in tile same
sumptuous style that has marked his past
relations with the gay side of the world
that has brought him into the present
trouble. it is not easy TO see how he will
get out of the scrare caused b. ills ma
bii,,y 10 square his accounts al the Fen
sion Office, but the lady is taking it cheer
fully, having had al the time sn anchor
to windRard IN the shape Of secret l'al-
son with prominent United States Sen
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