North Carolina standard., 1851-02-22
REMARKS OF MR. vENABLE,


Delivered in the House of Representatives on the "a
instant on the bill toestablish Board OF Accounts
Mr.. VENABLE said Mr.. Chairman, 1t is with re
luctance that ask the indulgence OF the committe
whilst submit few remarks in explanation OF th
measure now under consideration. The bill was re
ported from the Judiciary Committee, to which be
long, by the chairman, on Whom reiied Tor the odJ
which am now unexpectedly called on to discharge
He is prevented by indisposition; and l am unwill
inc that measure of SO much importance should bt
passed upon without even attempt to disclose tc
the House the reasons which controlled the determn-
alton of the committee who examined its details and
reported it with the sanction of their favor l am
bound however, to admit that all OF Its provisions dc
not meet my appreciation, but ] have the strongest
hope that objections will be removed by such modi-
fcations will make it at least worthy OF an expe-
riment. One thing is most manltest-the present
mode of disposing of private claims is unworthy OF
further trial We must be convinced by experience
that both in regard to expense, delay and incompe
tence from of time and information to add moth
ing further, this House is about inefficient court
as ever had cause trial before it. This is from
the necessity of its organization; which shall, with
your indulgence, endeavor TO demonstrate in the
marks which shall offer upon this occasion. listen
ed as always do, with pleasure and instruction to
the remarks of my friend from Tennessee, Mr.
Thomas, who has just addressed the committee: and
whilst differ with him in his conclusion have the
qualification know that the facts, we'll as the ar
guments, which he has arrayed against the DILL ois
close all that well be said against it, and tha ii ne
be continued, there is but little to fear IN the hna
result Of deliberations.
The great mistake, 1t seems to me- cohssts III his
Most of the clans against the Government are pre-
sumed to be prin'a ace groundiess or tauouent ana
gentlemen seem act upon the conclusion, that to
object to or defeat private claim, Is to deliver the
country from fraudulent imposition. With much
Difference, submit that such a conclusion does great
Injustice 20 the committees who report favor of such
claims. Ii presumes either negligence, lncapaclty,
something worse, in those who, protesting to ex-
anime, have recommended the payment OF claim at
ter elaboately reporting upon the facts as well as
the law. We know, sir, that the reports OF the conf
mittees afford the only evidence upon which we act
in all such cases, and majority of this House can
have no opportunity to learn anything more OF the
claims which they are called to vote. Indeed II
is truth, however reprehensible, that many OF us
never read over the reports, and some who vote do
not even hear them read. According to the present
system, it is only necessary for member to say 81
object, and the claim with all the anxietes and dis
appointed hopes of the parties desiring trial, goes
and is buried in the of business, and for
that session of Congress least has resurrection
MR. THOMPSON, of Mississippi. Will my friend
from North Carolina permit me to ask him ques-
ton
MR. VENABLE. 1 give way with pleasure to the
gentleman from Mississippi.
MR. THOMPSON. l would ask the gentleman from
North Carolina whether the committees OF this House
do not always pass upon the report OF the member
10 whom the calm is referred, and after hearing the
facts do often differ from and refuse to come to
his conclusion! Whether the committees are not as
likely to sft the case as board of commissioners,
WHO, ike judges in the courts, usually concur with
the Judge to whom the labor of making up the opin-
ion is assigned seriously aPprehend that, should
this board be constituted the inroads into the Treas
ury will be great and ruinous.
Ma. VENABLE. | am glad that the inquiry has
been made. is the committees hear The report
and that they often come TO a conclusion different
from that which had been reached by the member re-
a.
the papers not often examined, and all Of us know
how differently the evidence impresseS dItereEt minds
how often the facts assumed to be established
by one who examines the testimony, whilst another
would come to an opposite conclusion 1t is at last
and at best but an pdrte case-the record necssa-
ry examined in haste and usually sent TO the caen-
dar to sleep. His apprehensions as to renewed and
dangerous nroads into the Treasury, upon the esab
shmeut of this board, groundless. 1t will most
probably let in small and keep out large claims.
When, in the experience of Congress, has large,
very large old claim failed of success at last! no
has come here complaining of spoations of ancient
date of wrongs rendered hoary with time, often pre-
sened and often rejected, who has not at last broke
into the Treasury and become spoilers in their turn
The amount being large enough to enlist numerous
and interested claimants, somehOlc or somehow, like
wine, grows better by age, until there seems to be
of astonishment that contemporaries, much bet
ter informed of the facts should have hesltaed to
iquidate the claim.
/ suppose, sir, that it will be conceded that per-
who have claims upon the Government have a
right to petition Congress for their adjustment That
those petitioners are entitled to hearing, and de-
cision of some upon the merits of their claims
that it the duty of Congress to provide for such
hearing in the way that combines in the highest de-
gree economy, pr omptude, and just determination
economy, as well for the claimant for the Gov
ernment such romp: examination will prelude
the possibility of charge of denial of justice; and
judgment sustained by facts, as well as by law
and equity, that the minds of the impartial may be
satisfied that all has been done that ought to be done
1t is only by this of dealing with claims and
claimants that Congress, any other tribunal, can
the confidence respect of the country, be
regarded as the safe depository of power by those
who feel its influence.
1t propose to show that the present system is liza
ble in the highest degree, all the objections urged
by the gentleman from Tennessee, Mr. Thomas,
against the bill before the committee, either with
without the amendment of my colleague, Mr.
Daniel that all that he has strong set forth
concerning fraud, corruption, and perjury, the alb
sence of all necessity for such board court, to
advise Congress of the facts involved in the claims
upon which they may pass, applies with greater and
more imposing force TO the present mode of admins
tering justice by Congress as court of claims.
First, then, sir, we told by the gentleman that
Congress has need of such guardians inform
them of facts. They acquire that knowledge
themselves. How. sir, is this done? What the
means employed by Congress to develop the facts of
any claim petition is filed parte by the claim
ant. The evidence is taken parte, and without
tice by the claimant The case thus made out, with
reference the fact that adverse records depo-
stions shall appear, is presented to Congress, refer
eG TO committee, by the chairman assigned to some
member, who makes report of the case. This re-
port is usually adopted by the committee, who at all
events, report the with favorable adverse
commendation, and it goes upon the calendar. None
but the committee usually advised of the claim
and unless of sufficient magnitude to allow of the