The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-03-02

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26-Secretary Noble
was examined today by the special house
committee appointed to investigate the
management of the pension Office. The
secretary said that at the outset he wished
to make statement. A messenger from
the committee had called on him and he
said that he would attend but the mes
senger had insisted ora reading the sum-
mons TO him Notwithstanding he the sec
retaIy) had said it was not necessary. He
took this to mean that there was some
doubt as to whether he would attend and
that if he did not he would be compelled
to do so.
Mr. Enloe said be could explain that
The messenger had been told to read the
the summons to another witness and
probably took it for granted that that
course was necessary with every one.
Secretary Noble said he referred to that
for two reasons: o. The president had
intimated in his message that free in
vestigation OF any OF the departments
would be welcomed, and he of course was
IN entire harmony with that wish. Secre-
tary Noble said he wanted congress to
examine his department, and he and his
officers would give any information they
could. In the second place for the benefit
of his successor he wanted to protest that
the head OF an executive department was
not subject to process OF the house to
come forthwith and without limit OF time.
AT come here voluntarily" added the Sec
rotary, land without any force OF writ
Mr. Enloe then inquired about the re-
moval of young Green B. Raum. The
secretary narrated the facts now well
known Of how Civil Service Commissioner
Lyman called on him in May, 1891, with
paper making charges against young
Raum OF receiving money either directly
or indirectly through a colored man in the
treasury department for the appointment
ola man named Smith, another man named
johnson personating Smith IN the neces-
sary civil service examination. The sec
rotary said it had never been his practice
to wait very long under such cireum-
stances and be Immediately required
young Raum's resignation. he did not
examine into the matter beyond the re-
port OF the civil service commission. Young
Raum was the son OF the COM
missioner and he gave him time
TO find something else to do before
his resignation should take effect. he
treated young Raum mildly, as he thought
the circumstances required that he should
do so because of the young mans rela-
tionship TO the commissioner.
Mr. Little Y. y. asked if it was Gus
tomary to give man, whose resignation was
demanded, thirty DAYS leave. The secre-
tary said there was no rule on the subject.
He had expected there would be some
criticism of his action, but, the man being
young he would rather let him go out
under such circumstances than to shIrk
the responsibility and criticism.
Mr.. Brossius Pa and Mr.. Payson asked
if an opportunity had been given Young
Raum to defend himself from the charges
made. The secretary replied: "No; be-
cause thought the charge of such char
acter affected the service deeply; because
the charge was brought to me by an officer
of a government bureau who had investi-
gated the matter, and because he made
statements so apparently truthful / deter
mined TO rid myself of il at once. |
thought the good of the service demanded
that ne should 90, and ! seEt HIM"
The secretary said he had nothing to say
with reference 10 the fraud on the civil
servic commission, for the commission
looked tohim to take care OF young Raum
ano it would take care of the oiense
against IL.
Mr.. Enloe then asked the secretary
about the filing OF charges against young
Raum by Messrs. Howard and Engle,
clerks in the pension Office charging
Raum with demanding money from them.
He told Mr.. Bussey to call the commits
sioner's attention to this matter and re-
quest him TO see to ii. The commissioner
said the charges were circulated 10 iniure
him, and fled counter charges with de-
mand for the removal of these men and
Special Examiner Taylor, who was sus-
pected by the commissioner of be-
ing connected with the matter.
The secretary told Mr. Enloe that
be thought the charges about
balanced each other. Young Raum was
out of the service and he refused to re-
move Howard and Engle. Taylor had
been asked to resign because he mir.
NOblel had previously come TO the con-
clusion that IL would advance the govern
ment interests. The commissioner and
Mr. Taylor were not getting along together.
There was q conflict OF authority between
them and he thought the commissioner
should be sustained rather than Mr..
Taylor.
Mr.. Enloe proceeded to question the
secretary as 10 the removal of persons
without cause.
Mr.. Noble said all removals were for
cause. He could not recall instances. but