The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-05-05

Secretary Noble Refuses to Furnish fnfor-
nation Desired bv the Committee.

WASHINGTON. ID. c.. May 4.-The special
Pension Office investigating committee OF
the House convened at noon to-day. Mr.
Enloe read 20 the committee the correspond
ence between Secretary Noble and Commits
sioner Raum. the result OF a request made 10y
the committee for papers in the cases of sew
eral employees Of the Pension Office who were
discharged, the Secretary refusing 10 furnish
the information on the ground that he was
not responsible to Congress tor his action IN
dlsmssing employees in his department.
Mr.. Enloe stated that the testimony taken
during the course Of the investigation tended
to show that Theodore Smith welded an in
tuence In the Pension Office. and matters
brought out before the committee were re-
ferred TO as more Of Smiths work"
Continuing. Mr. Enloe said that he had
reason TO believe that Smith has brought
false charges against employees IN the Pen
SION Office. and unustly. and upon the com
mlttee's requesting certain papers in cases of
discharged employees. which were in Secre-
tary Mobiles possession, they were refused
I nder the circumstances Mr Enloe thought
that tho correspondence was damaging OF it
would be furnished, aud the matter should be
takento the House.
Representative Brosius protested against
any inference being drawn or stated chat re-
tected upon the integrity Of a constitutional
officer of the Government who asserted his
privileges.
Chairman Wheeler said that his mind was
perfectly clear on the point that if there had
been any violation of the statutes it would be
a fair and legitimate subject for inquiay. and
that the head of q department in q matter ot
this kind was responsible 1t was
proposed TO further discuss the matter
but Mr. Broslus suggested that as Judge
Payson, Commissioner Raum's counsel. WAS
not present. the committee adjourn. which
was agreed 20. and the time set for the next
meeting was Monday next. in order TO give
the committee sufficient time to consider
matters before them.
WILL APPEAL TO THE HOUSE.
Chairman Wheeler. Of the Raum investi-
eating committee, has practically decided TO
Introduce in the House a resolution asking
committee 70 pursue with reference to tho
refusal Of Secretary Noble and Commissioner
haum o. furnish correspondence concerning
the removal Of employees Of the Pension
Office. Mr. Wheeler believes that the Con
sttuton has been violated by the refusal of
Messrs. Noble and Raum. basing this opinion
on Section of Article ILL.,. which says But
Congress may by law vest the appointment OF
such inferior officers as they think proper in
the President alone in the courts of law, or
~ the heads Of departments.
Secretary Noble refusal was based on this
very section. He contends that the appoint
ment or removal of the employees concerned IS
vested IN himself alone and that Congress
cannot interfere in the matter.
Comment as 20 what the House would do
with the resolution requesting instructions Is
not INDUCED IN 20 any extent. but 1t seems 30
20 tho impression that by party vote the
whole matter embraced IN the Pension Office
investigation would be ordered reported D.
the House Immediately and action would
then probably be taken On so much of tho
testimony as has been given before the COM
mlttee Of investigation.