Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-04-13
ROCK ISLAND. WEDNESDAY,, APRIL 49, 1892
COOPER RESPONDS.
The Indiana Statesman Pitches
Into Gen. Raum.
RISING TO A PERSONAL STATEMENT

Getting on the Track-His Rem arks
Before the Enloe Committee-The Conn
missioner Charged with Holding Back
Important Papers-senator Palmer. Of
Illinois, Has = Tussie With senate Re-
publicans-Cha on the Bill for
Popular Election of Senators.
WARRINGTON, April 49, Representative
Cooper, Of Indiana, was on the warpath
yesterday. He was thirsting for the Off
BAL blood of Commissioner Raum, and
yearning for that eentleman's scalp with
a big yearn. He read statement to the
Enloe committee in which the commits
sioner was "hauled over the Goals" and
rose to personal explanation in the house
with the purpose of doing some more in
the same line, but Republican members
insisted that he was ont of order and the
speaker agreed with them When he rose
in the house he said he had been attacked
by the commissioner of pensions" who had
charged his (Cooper's) secretary with tax
ing advantage of his position to make
money out of pensions.
Held Down by the Chair.
Cooper then proceeded to read certain
letters from attorneys, stating that they
could get no satisfaction from the pension
office. Lind (Rep) of Minnesota, thought
1t was improper for the gentleman from
Indiana TO review case which was now
being inv estigated by the special pension
committee. After some discussion as to
the admlssability of general letters, and
the scope OF Cooper's remarks the chair
requested Cooper to confine himself to the
question of personal privilege. He then
proceeded to arraign the commissioner of
pensions, and the practices in the pension
Office. The chair called him to order, and
said that he was not confirming himself to
the question.
on the Track Again.
Cooper thought that this was entirely
pertinent, as the commissioner of pensions
had maze the attack" upon him. The
speaker decided that this was not in order
Cooper then proceeded to discuss the Her.
sey matter declaring that he Cooper had
never at any time asked or accepted one
cent for any service growing out of his
public service. He then took another
crack at General Raum, which brought
Boutelle to his feet with the remark that
it was not in order for Cooper to make a
charge that the commissioner of pensions
again cautioned the gentleman to confine
himself to the question of personal privi-
lege, and Cooper then proceeded with
his remarks. which were concluded with
out further delay.
Before the Enloe Committee.
When Cooper went to make state
ment to the committee investigating the
pension bureau he was able to let himself
loose, there being no rules of order to
transgress. His statement in brief was
an emphatic denial that he had known
that his secretary was engaged in doing a
pension busines that there was money in
until rtaum's evidence was produced,
added toa denial, complete and categorical
that he Cooper had anything to do with
his clerks illegal business. Tn charge
as he understood it, was that Hersey had,
by the use of his name, examined into the
condition of claims and reported to at
toneys or claimants the result of such ex-
animation and he had received fee for
such services.
How He Employed Hersey.
Cooper said that after Hersey was dis
charged from the pension office the latter
went to him and wanted to make arrange
ments with him in connection with other
members of congress to assist them in work
they might have before the pension bu-
reau. After inquiry he found Hersey
entirely reliable and competent and en-
ployed him at $50 per month to furnish as
sistance and information required in reia-
tion to matters connected with pensions
and this was how Hersey had authority to
use his name on congressional call slip.