The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-03-04
MR.. SPRINGER VERY ILL.
The Effect OF His Death-senator Hill Only
Draws n Portion OF His saiary-The
Raum Investigation.

The illness Of Chairman Springer. of the
Ways and Means Committee has taken a
most alarming turn. aud even his family
almost despair Of his recovery
Should he die it will make quite change
in the organized leadership of the House.
Mr.. McNIilin is second on the Ways and
Means Committee, and by all precederts
would be entitled to the chairmanship. But
the rules of the present Congress provide
that i'm case of the death Of chairman of
committee the Speaker can appoint another
chairman. 1t is not believed. however: that
Speaker Crisp would pass over MI McMIIn
TO name some other chairman.
SENATOR HILLS ECONOMY.
There was an interesting episode in the
rooms Of the secretary of the Senate to-day.
After the vote on the Idaho case had been
taken Senator Hill strolled in the room and
remarked that if convenient he would Ike 10
draw little money The Secretary of the
Senate. who is General AnsOn q. Nc
Cook. of New York. is the disbursIng
officer of the Senate. He draws monthly
from the Treasury q sufficient amount 70 pay
the salaries Of members, and at the begin
ming Of every session draws enough 70 pay
their mileage and stationery allowances.
Senator Hills request was promptly re-
sponded 10 by Secretary McCOOk's dlsbursing
clerk. who placed before him vouchers tor
an amount aggregating about c5,OOJ ana
asked him 20 sign him.
"Oh no. eaid the Senator. want
voucher for my salary from the day was
sworn in. the 7th of January 1892. up to the
end OF February. This is your usual pay day,
is it not the Sd Of the month"
The clerk said IL was, but went on TO remark
that they had a certain amount standing on
their books 10 the credit of the New York
nd 70
that amount would cause confusion IN both
their bookkeeping and the Treasury Depart
ment. With some brusqueness OF manner Mr..
Hill said this was none of his business they
must keep thor books TO suit themselves. lie
wished TO draw his salary for the actual time
he had served in the Senate and not one cent
more. After some further parleying the clerk
made out q voucher for -SS7.O9. and this Mr..
Hill signed and took check for that amount
infull payment Of all his claims upon the Sen
ate salary and mileage fund up TO date. Seven
hundred and seyenty-elght dollars OF this
amount was for salary from January 7th 70
February 9TH. the balance was for mileage
The disbursing clerk stated afterwards that
the balance left undrawn was a. 22l, which
would in the due course, by operation OF law.
be covered back into the Treasury.
THE BAUM CASE.
Assistant-Secretary Bussey. of the Interior,
who has supervision of the work of the Pen
sion Bureau. appeared before the special pen
sion investigating committee. He related the
circumstance of young Raum's resignation
and the peremptOry instructions OF Secretary
Noble 70 carry out the demand for
his resignation Young Raum had de-
MED the charges made against him and
asked for a chance to make a defense. lie
had no connection with the aflidavts fled
against young Raum by Howard and Engle,
discharged employees of the bureau. Young
Raum's dismissal was not AN act 10 shield any
one in higher authority. In the case OF the
man Engle who was discharged the Secretary
said that he was turned out be-
cause he was one OF the rerated
pensioners. Judge Payson asked under
whose administration the reratlug system be-
gan. General Bussey answered that 1t began
under tho administration OF Commissioner
Black and was continued under the admin
stration Mr.. EnlOe asked thereupOn why
General Dudley's name did not appear on the
list ofrerated pensioners the specific disability
under the act which rated the pension OF
soldier who had lost a leg at the knee Joint.
Mr.. Enloe asked ii Alr. Bussey knew a
special examiner for this district Brooks
by name who was employed 10 look
into the character. habits and
associations Of the employees of the Pension
Office. General Bussey disclamed any
KNOWLEDGE Of such thing. Secretary }ussey
said that matters in the Pension Office were
being carried on in an excellent manner and
fayoritesm is not shown IN the consideration
of claims filed. Tho commissioner. SAID Cen
eral Bussey is doing his work honestly and
with integrity.
In answer to n question Secretary Bussey
said that the interference of the congressman
with the Office IN working up cases greatly
retards the business OF the bureau. The only
way 10 stop this is by legislation. Mr.. Enloe
asked if 1t was not p ssible 10 use the Pension
Once as a political machine. General BUS
sey replied that it was not used for political
purposes and did not SEQ how 10 could be
used a. a political machine ills orders were
that all pensions should receive an impartial
consideration.
lIr. Beltzhoover. of Pennsylvania. from the
House Committee on War Claims. to-day re-
ported favorably the bill introduced by hr.
Mckeag to refund 10 the corporate authorl-
ties of Frederick City levy exacted ofthem by
the Confederate army under General Early IN
1864. and appropriating 200, 600 for that pur-
pose