The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1891-06-05
The PENSION SCANDAL
a Natural Result OF the Republlesa POsIel
Of Plumber

a Natural Result OF the Republican Policy
of Plumber
The latest pension scandal Is bat the
natural outcome OF the Raum regime in
the pension office. When the father
has been running a patent refrigerator
scheme ard a private pension annex in
connection with the Office, it was not
surprising that the son should eHdeavor
20 feather his nest in his own way. The
father took the Office after Tanners
dismissal, with The distinct intention,
as has been since developed, OF making
1t as profitable as possible to the Raum
family Bad Is the administration of
Tanner yyaS-and during his short term
of Office the corporal cOntrived to waste
an enormous sum of money-it was re-
spectacle in comparison TO that OF his
successor. Tanner interpreted literally
the words OF the Harrison stump ora
tors, and of the candidate himself, in
1sSS, that there should be no line drawn
at pension expenditures, and that the
treasury surplus should be turned over
to his Office Unfortunately for him
self, he lacked the important quality of
reticence, and while the administration
did not object to the raiding of the
treasury, it was decidedly against hav-
ing such raids bulletined and referred
to gleefully in advance. But reckless
though Tanner might have been, he
did not attempt to force his employees
to buy stock in a fraudulent refrigera-
tor concern or wildcat real estate spec
ulatiOn, nor did ne call upon the chief
shark in Washington to indOFse his
notes in consideration OF special official
rulings Had Tanner been in office
during the term of the billion congress,
his reckless administration of the pen
sion bureau would not only have been
excused, but might have been consid-
| cred as eninently in keeping with the
| general tone of republican policy inau-
! gurated and carried into effect by that
notorious Legislative body. His eXtrav-
| aganee was only a little too premature.
The revelations made in the testi-
| mOny before the congressional commit
tee which investigated the pension
| Office We're such as imperatively de
manded a change of administration of
! that office But the billion congress,
engaged in the work of draining the
/ treasury, could not consistently con-
! denim republican official who was in
| the same line of business Therefore,
! to be in accord with its own policy of
| plumber, congress gave the branded Of
| fetal liberal coat of whitewash. The
| president was averse to being put to
the disagreeable necessity of bouncing
! two pension commissioners in success
| sion. This recent scandal about young
/ Raum may force the president to de-
| mand the pension commissioners resig-
]
| agitation against the Raum family in
quarters where Mr.. Harrison considers
he is particularly strong, among the
| members of the Grand Army of the
| Republic Secretary Noble is resolved
to get rid of the Raums, if possible, and
| it is extremely probable that he viii
resign from the cabinet should he fail
| TO accomplish his object. When it is
| borne in mind that the largest proper
| ton of the revenues of the government
go into the hands of the Raums. and
that the administration of an Office
which has been considered as repre-
senting the most sacred and patriotic
obligations of the American people to-
wards their preseryers, has become the
synonym of corruption and fraud, il
would seem as if a change of admins
tration cannot be very well delayed.
The dismissal of Raum at the present
time will save the president a most hu
initiating ordeal next winter when the
democratic house Of representatives IN
dertakes a genuine investigation o.
Raum's Office. Revelations would bs
made, under the experienced direction
of Representative Cooper, of Indiana
which would be very unfortunate TO
the Harrison administration generally
It may be that Harrison dare not dis
miss Raum, and it will be regarded a.
a certainty should he neglect to avail
himself of the present opportunity
Young Raum was simply carrying on
the policy maintained by his father
and his dismissal should be followed bl
that of the head of the family. Unde
| the present administration the pension
Office is rotten to the cOre.-Albany
| Argus.
PROFESSIONAL PLUNDERERS.
]