Omaha daily bee., 1892-04-13
COOPER on the STAND.
lie Explains His Connection with Pension
Cases.


Cases.
WASHINGTON, ID. e., April l2.-Cooper
today made statement before the pension
Office investigation committee in denial and
il explanation OF the charges made against
hlm by Commissioner Raum. He said he
would neither excuse nor justify Hersey's
conduct, and he had not the slightest respou-
sibility therefor. He said out of town attor-
neys could not learn the status of their cases
except by calling to their aid members of
congress or corresponding with the bureau;
that tho pension Office ignored the letters and
complaints OF attorneys, and he submitted
letters complaining that the whole sys-
TEN was worked for the benefit Of
Washington city. He said that Raum's pol
icy in putting all the business in the hands
of Washington attorneys, among whom was
his son and the cudorsers of his notes, was
Il more harmful debaucherv of the public
service than one who abused the confidence
OF congressman by supplying for pay in
formation about cases, sull he had no excuse
TO make for such persons, and that Hersey's
conduct was without his (Cooper's) knowl-
edge or consent. On September last Hersey
was abusing witness confidence, and yet
Ruum instead of telling him, had done
everything in his power to have Hersey
brlbcd In the hope that he might ontrap wit
ness; that h3 spread a net over two or
three states and called spies and informers
into reQu!sition. 1t was false that ho told
Morgan Hersey would work for him for pay,
and witness denied he ever a ked or accepted
cent for service growing out of his connec-
tiou with public affairs.
Cooper then referred to tho charge that he
had authorized Maring 81 Slushers to PRINT
his signature on thousands of imitation slips
and said Maring came to him and said ho
desired to use witness namo in calling up
cases of 1.-The boys.n Witness knew moth
- 81,
Maring's representation that 1t was usual
thing and the exhibition OF n card signed by
Senator Turpic gave his consent, but with
tho understanding that the privilege was to
be used only for soldiers in witness district
Learning afterwards that Maring was call
ing up cases from all over the country he
wrote Tanner, expressly limiting the privi-
legc to soldiers of his district. Raum either
destroyed or suppressed the. whole of this
| correspondence. If it was produced, Raum's
criticism would bo answered in advance.
In regard to the affidavit of David l.. Gitt,
which Raum submitted to the effect that
Commissioner Black had thrown 5000 of
witness slips into the waste basket, Cooper
SAID he did not become congressman until
Black went out of office.
Cooper said Raum was guilty of deliber-
ale falsehood in calling attention to Hersey's
use of witness name on call slips, and say
nc he made no discovery of the use Of any
ther members name, whom the very papers
he filed showed five other members names
used.
Cooper said while it was stated that 40. 900
slips were printed IN his name, the prlnter
testified that only 5000 were printed.
Witness submitted letters between himself
and Commissioner Tanner, showing that he
had sent a sample slip to Tanner, asking HIM
If 1t was proper for him to give attorneys
permission to use thcm. Tho next letter
was ono from Cooper, directing Marlng Ss
Slpsher to discontinue the use of the slips.
When Mr.. Cooper finished giving his testi-
mony the committee adjourned.