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


In tbs House of Congress on the bill TO esfat-
EsA q Board of Accounts TO eraniins private
claims against the Government
The bill provides that the report OF tho
Board sha n be- "fnal and conclusive"
whereupon Mr.. Brisbin moved to add the
words Tin all sums not exceeding $4,000"
Mr. BRlSBIN said: That there are many
just claims agains, the Government which at
present the claimants have no means 10 en-
force the payment of except through the ac.
lion Of Congress, no one will pretend to de-
nv. And that many claims are made which
have no foundation in justice, is equally
true. The real question, therefore, is, how
and in wha. way can it be beat asoenained
what claims ought, and what ought not to
be paid What tribunal will be most likely
10 do speedy justice between the Govern
men. and lis creditors. Much has been said
abou, the wrongs that the Government en-.
dures by reason Of the drafts that are made
upon her Treasury for the payment oil un'
lust claims that session alter session, and
Congress after Congress, are presented, and
which finally, through the influences and
soft appliances that are brought TO bear by the
agents who have charge Of Them, receive
the favorable consideration and action OF
Congress. have no doubt, cir, we have
suffered much in this way, and are in a fair
way to suffer still more, and that the end OF
our sufferings will never come until some
tribunal other than Congress is organized for
the purpose Of adjusting these claims. Ev-
cry claim here presented seems, with its in.
creasing years and repeated repulses, to
gather new equities and to inspire new and
increased energies in its prosecution OF this
we have an illustrous example in the
French spolation claims. A halfa century
ago il was considered, TO say the least
doubtful in its character; but time and re.
pcated failures to induce Congress 10 pay it,
have in the opinions of its friends, removed
all doubts, and rendered the obligations Of
this Government TO pay it SO clear, that its
advocates seem astonished that justice has
50 long been denied, and il is soon again,
suppose, TO make its appearance in this
Hall, clothed in the garments Of equity, with
which the indefaiigable energies Of the in.
aumerablc sharks that prowl about the por-
falls Of your Capitol haye furnished it. Now,
sir, while utterly abhor and delest that
class who msse a business of prosecuting
these ..saie and unjust claims, would not
sor that reason, and because frauds may in
seme instances be perpelra,ed upon the
Government, shut the doors Of the Treasury
against honest creditors But am in favor
Of the organization Of a tribunal, whose ia.
eiliiies and meins Of arriving at a jus, con-
clusion with regatd TO those claims, are bet
serthan those possessed by Congress, and
one where justice can be done with less de.
lay and with less expense the suitor and
: the Government. II has been we'll said that
This is the mos, expensive court on earth.
We might about as well pay every claim that
is presented al once, as TO spend the time
that wo do spend in trying to adjust them.
We cit here day after day and session after
session, at an expense of not less than S3,-
900 per day 10 The people, and a great pro.
portion of that time is spent in the consid-
1 .aration Of these claims, and that loo, in nine
cases oni Of Ten, without. arriving at any con-
slusion. Now.ssir, what is the great objec-
!; tion thalis urged against the creation of this
Board Of Accounssl It's that tho commits.
sicner win be corrupted, and that frauds
will be pefpeiraled upon the Government.
This argum sni, sir, will apply with equal
forcs against the organization of every de-
partmenl of the Government. The judges
saf sour eouae may become corrupt; the Pies
si'Esnt aaa heads Of Depaamenis may he