Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 June 1892 — Raum’s Record. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Raum’s Record.

It is plain to every one that Commissioner Raum should have long sinoe been summarily removed from the head of the Pension Department, says the Detroit Free Press. He has made a record far worse than that which led to the retirement of Tanner, whose chief offense was too great a liberality toward his old companions in arms. Raum has been selfishly crooked, violating hip official trust for the benefit of himself and his personal friends. There has been manifest a widespread and natural desire to know through what Influence this offender is retained in charge of the Pension Bureau. Only narrow and unscrupulous partisanship can claim that he has not forfeited all rights to the place. The evidence forcing this conclusion has been known to the President for months, yet Raum is retained. An exposure has been made that would cause decent men to seek obscurity, yet he boldly and confidently holds on to his remunerative job. What is his “pull?" .There are certain well-known facts that may afford at least a partial answer to this conundrum. For many years Raum has been a practical politician of the machine stamp. While he was Commissioner of Internal Revenue he mastered all the projeots and political jobs for the furtherance of whioh revenue collectors and their army of as-

sistants were made useful. When irresistible circumstances forced him from that office he was given employment by the party leaders to collect the assessments foroed from government employes. At this despicable work he was a howling suooess and met with the highest approval from the Republican leaders. As Commissioner and Collector he not only schooled himself in methods but learned agreat many valuable secrets. It is apparent that Mr. Raum can make himself a very valuable ally of President Harrison, and your Uncle Benjamin is not the man to overlook the fact It is desirable to retain the services of the pension attorneys and claim agents of whom Raum has made friends. With the associations he has formed and the obligations he has plaoed through a long and favorable line of opportunities Raum is an invaluable man Friday. He disburses one hundred and twentyfive million dollars per year, and knows how to use that munlfloent amount as bait for votes. Harrison has a sure eye for all details, and has made plans from the execution of which Raum cannot be spared.

—-Chicago Times.