The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1851-02-27

invested with them, all the guards we can
And ! know of no tribunals where it may
more safely be reposed than in courts ol
justice, TO which this board (if not techni-
cally classed under that head) is yet very
similar. II is not unirequent to hear our
Presidents, our heads Of Departments, our
Congressman, our Governors, and our men,
bers of the State Legislatures, charged with
fraud and corruption but seldom, very sell
dom, is il that we hear these chatsss made
against the judges Of our courts. Ir them
the people generally have confidence, aud
with their decis ions tn, country is generally
satisfied. The position in which they are
placed, and the means and opportunities
which the advocates of.the respective parties
possess 10 expose any attempt 10 be partial
or unjust, render it far more difficult for
them 10 practice fraud, even if they were SO
disposed, without the fear of immediate ex-
posure, than it is for men in other depart
ments of the Government.
Who, sir, that has just claim would not
rather submit its decision to three men, com.
petent for the station, than TO submit II to
the decision oil this House9 While we may
be as much disposed to do justice, we do
not, nor can we have the same means of
information necessary TO correct decision.
And the very fact, SIR, that the information
which we obtain relative to these claims is
necessarily limited, leads us, fear, in ma.
ny cases TO the commission of great inus.
Iice-inju stce 10 honest claimants by refu-
sing them relief, and injustice 10 the Govern
nlent BY granting relief where il ought not
10 be granted. The fact that the Govern
ment has no one to look up the evidence for
her, gives the claimant who is the most ad
roit, industrious, and INSCRIPTIONS in prepa-
ring and presenting the claim, and who is
most able TO incur the expense Of employ.
ing agents and procuring evidence, the best
chance of success, without much regard to
the character of the claim.
fear, sir, that the poor without friends,
and without money, and whose claims are
generally small, and may add, full as apt
TO be just, stand but poor chance in com.
peting before this court with mep OF wealth
and influence. Not so, sir, before this
board there will be the evidence on both
sides, there will be the advocate of the
Government, and the claimant; and he
who, under such circumstances, does any
very very great injustice TO either party,
ka ,l.a, % 70, oil,
chief and will be held up 10 his country as
another JefIreys He cannot say as mem.
bers here may we'll, "I didnhknow anything
about the matter" He cannot excuse him.
self or palliate his crime by saying, "Well,
such man or such a member said it was
just, or 1t was unjust, and l relied on his
Judgment" He will have to rely upon his
own judgment, formed upon full knowl
edge of all the facts, and for that Judgment
he will be held responsible, and that respon-
sbility will better him from any very gross
violation Of justice.
But, it is said we now pay more than we
ought 10 these claimants. That is not the
question. The question is, how can we best
ascertain what we ought TO pay? Again: it
is objected, that after all that may be done
by this board, Congress will not thereby be
relieved that the same amount Of time will
be consumed ia passing upon the reports
that may 10 made by them. This, in my
Judgment, will not be the case Constitute
board of such men as the people and Con-
gress have confidence in, and in my opinion
nine tenlhs of the time we gov consume in
the consideration of these claims will be
saved. We shall have before us the evi-
dcnce on both sides in a condensed 1I.rm |;
upon tive can readily, aided as we shall be
by the reasoning Of The commissioners,
come 10 "a conclusion. In my judgment
sir, the greatest objection to this board is the
fear that they will rot do injustice; and
doubt whether YOU can find one of these
blood-hounds-who make business of
frownng down members OF Congress, who
is not opposed to tho organization of this
board They want no tribur al organized to
elicit the truth and 10 administer justice /;
they rely rpon a suppression OF everything
that makes against them ; and the less time
and opportunity that is given for the exami-
nation of their claims the better for them,
hoping that by presentation in its most fa.
vorable light Of one side Of the case, and by
limiting the opportunities for careful ex-
animation, that they may succeed in carry
ing out their nefarions system of plumber
upon the Treasury. That the bill now un-
der consideration isperfect will not pre-
tend, indeed, it is not such a one in many
respects as would have preferred, and
hope to SEQ itimproved before ii passes, il it
should pass would increase the salaries
of the commissioners, SO as 10 command
the services of men of unques,ined ability
and integrity. Iwould limit the existence
of the board to four years. il then it is
found TO work well, il can be continued, and
il itdoes not, let II cease to exist. | would
not, as proposed in the bill, refer to It's de
cisioncases pending in the Departments,
andaihereby enable the heads Of the De-
psrlmen.s 10 shiitihe labor and Tespon.i-