The National tribune., 1892-03-24
PENSION BUREAU INVESTIGATION.

4AA4S4N4A1 AAOAD ~ 1890 ~ AATSAA
PENSION BUREAU INVESTIGATION.
Continuation OF the Pr0ceedings-Gen. Ranm De-
cIincs TO Answer Questions About Mining Com.
pauy.
The Special Committee of the House of Rep
resentativcs investigating the workings of the
Pension Bureau, had Commissioner Raum on
the witness stand on Tuesday, March Is. Judge
Payson, attorney for Gen. Raum, stated to the
committee that the Commissioner desired to
read a sworn statement relating to Pension
Bureau affairs generally, which bore on various
orders issued by him, before his examination
took place. This was objected to by Repre-
ing the prosecution. A long discussion ensued
on tho admissibilty of the statement at this
stage of the proceedings. Gen. Raum said he
appeared before the committee in response to
summons, for the purpose of answering GER
tain charges against his administration, and all
he asked was fair play. He recognized the
gravity of the charges. and wished to he per-
mitted to answer them in certain way. Mr..
Enloe objected to the reading of the statement
at present, as he was opposed to arguments be-
ing made before testimony had been given.
Messrs. Lind and Brosius thought the Commits
sioner should be allowed to read his statement
now, and Chairman Wheeler and Messrs. Little
and Dugan conceded his right to read the state
ment at some time during the proceedings, but
not at the outset. The majority of the COM
mittee being opposed to the reading of the
statement at the present time, Mr. Cooper be-
gan the examination of Gen. Raum.
The Commissioner said he had discontinued
the practice of publishing the addresses of
pensioners, because of requests from pensioners
themselves. He had no relatives in the PEN
sion Office, but a few days ago had recon-
mended that his daughter be appointed his pri-
vate secretary, and she was now acting as such.
Mr. Ridgeway had been appointed his private
secretary and after being in Office the requisite
time under the law had non-competitive ex-
animation, and had been transferred to the
classified civil service. Mr.. Ridgeway's eyes
troubled him, and Mr.. Raum recommended the
appointment of his daughter, at present Cen
sus Office clerk. She did not resign from the
Census Office or secure leave, but simply re-
manned away. The Secretary was out of town,
so that there was no action on witnesses recon-
mendation, and he asked his daughter few
days ago to do the work. If appointed she
would draw pay, but not otherwise.
Mr.. Cooper asked the Commissioner about
his connection with the Gypsum Mining Com
pany, which produced an exciting tilt, Judge
Payson objecting to questions concerning Gen.
Raum's private business, and advising him to
refuse to answer such questions. Mr.. Cooper
read the resolution under which the investi ga
ton is proceeding, and said he proposed to
show that Gen. Raum made use of the Pension
Bureau to promote his private affairs in con-
nection with this mining company, and that
he hypothetical some OF the shares of the
company to indemnify Capt. Lemon, an attor-
ney practicing before the Bureau, against loss
by reason of Endorsement of his notes, and
that because of this Endorsement Gen. Raum
made ruling favorable to this attorney in the
advancement of his claims
Judge Payson said that. assuming that Capt.
Lemon had loaned the money, or had Endorsed
paper for Gen. Raum upon which money was
procured, and the General had turned the
money in to the mining company, what con-
Germ was that of Congress? Gen. Raum de-
clined to answer any questions relating to his
private affairs, to which Chairman Wheeler
said that there was no power to compel him to
answer. but that the matter could be brought
to the attention of the House Dir. Cooper
asked if witness had borrowed money from an
attorney, the consideration for the loan being
the promotion of one of his clerks; and Gen.
Raum denied in toto that anything of the kind
had ever occurred When asked if he had
borrowed money of attorney Lockwood, the
witness acknowledged having borrowed $500
on Loekwood's Endorsement, which was paid
three days afterward; that the loan had no
connection with the protection or promotion
OF any clerk in his Office. Gen. Raum admit
ted having gone into Mr.. Cooper's district aud
made speeches, with the object OF defeating
him for Congress. He had also told Mr.. Coop.
er's opponent that his requests should receive
attention at the Pension Bureau. and he had
given such privileges to other prominent men
in other parts of the country. In answer to
an inquiry, Gen. Raum said he did not know
Of any Democratic contestant for Congress who
had been given this privilege.
"a
Senator Hawley. of Connecticut on Friday,
March 10, introduced bill in the Senate APP
propriating $4,000 for the purchase of a sito
and the erection Of pedestal in the City of
Washington for statue to the memory Of
Gen. William T. Sherman, which is to bc pre-
sented to the Government by the Society of tho
Army of the Tennessee. The site is to be Sc
-