The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-04-24

THE MEXICAN C,AIMs-THE FLORIDA CLAIMS
DANGER eF ANOTHER GALrnIN BusISE,s.-Ths
decision OF the Commissioners on Mexican claims,
recently announced in Washington, has created a
great stir in certain quarters, among the unfortu
nate applicants who have been disappointed; and
are inundated with letters Of expostulation and
explanation as to the causes, secret and otherwise,
corrupt and of all kinds, which have produced these
strange results. These claims amounted originally
to seven millions Of dollars, but were reduced to
three millions and half. Many Of the claimants
who have been disappointed, are threatening to
hold public meetings in various quarters, and to
present petitions and expositions concerning the
matter, to the next Congress. Some of the articles
which we have, in the shape Of letters frem Wash
ington, accuse men high in Office of the most un-
heard Of and culpablc practices in the matter Of
these claims. We shall wait till see further into
this matter, before we indulge in more remarks.
The reading public must have noticed that wit hin
the last few weeks sundry paragraphs have been in
circulation, commendatory Of the delicacy of Mr.
Secretary Corwin in absenting himself from the
cabinet until claim in which he was personally
interested, to the amount of many thousands of dol
lars should be decided.
The last touch is the following paragraph, which
we find in of the city papers =
The question Of interest on the Florida claims, which
has long engaged the attention OF the cabinet yet
pending. Mr.. Corwin will his seat in the
cabinet until the matter is determined he having acted
counsel in certain Of these cases. before taking Office
We advise Mr.. Corwin not to have this claim
settled whilst he is in the cabinet, even any one
of the class of claims of which this is part. A
precedent should be set, under the influence of
the fact that member of the cabinet is interested
If it is done he may-and the other members making
the allowance may-seek to excuse himself, as was
sought in the Galphin case; but the people will say
it is a second Galphin affair and will not listen to
their explanations.
We have heard something of these Florida
claims, and have been furnished copy of list OF
the allowances since 1884, which paper, although it
is long document, may publish hereafter, with
names of attorneys, and amounts claimed, and
amounts allowed and paid in full. The claims are
mostly for losses sustained in 1872 l3, &c, by the
Floridans, from the operations Of the American
troops that invaded those provinces, and
curious and interesting batch. Between one and
two millions of dollars, believe, have been al
lowed and paid under act of Congress passed in
1884, though no subsequent appropriation has been
passed by Congress. 1t is now sought to get the
interest paid-whether from 1872, when the spolia-
tions committed; or from 1921, when the
Florida treaty (by which the United States, it is
said, agreed topay for them) made; or from 1884,
when the act of Congress was passed authorizing
their examination and payment, We are not advised
These claims should have been justly settled, and if
they have not been, Congress should yet direct it,
Congress is the proper tribunal, and not the Trea-
sury Department; and if we mistake not, the subject
of interest has been before Congress heretofore
it respects these very claims Mr.. Corwins position
is of the evil effects attendant the practice of
members of Congress being engaged in the prose-
cution Of claims against the United States. 1t is
corrupt and corruptng practice, and we have heard
Of instances that deserve exposure. A member Of
Congress should be expelled who allows himself to
he employed in claim before the departments or
Congress, as an agent or attorney, or who becomes
a purchaser of claim, OF who becomes interested
in the subject matter of a law before Congress-such
a contract for land to be purchased by the United
States, or the building of u custom house, &c.