The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-04-29


MIR. GWlN, lin his seat That Is provided for in my
amendmen=there is difference in that respect
Mr.. SHIELDS. The gentleman Gays that the first
exactly similar, with this difiefeaee: have board
act upon the case. aud determine who the persons
embraced ~ the st section and IN bis amendment there
Mr. GWlNI 1.-THE senator will allow me, / said that
the Secretary OF War should have power 10 do il he
cases and he determine who the persons that
entitled TO compensation. The Secretary could employ
more than three officers. according TO the amendment
which propose My amendment Is precisely the
IN substance with the reported by the committee only
that Board OF Commissioners lie dispensed with. The
Secretary can order this TO be done BY the officers OF his
department. and establish board OF officers
mssioners precisely the in the other but
they would be in the departments OF the Quariemaster
Commissary. and Paymaser in California, instead oil be
ing located here al Washington AT the time there
might be than three officers thus employed if in his
Judgment The public interest woad be promoted BY that
course. .e.H He
California one question. Does he intend, BY his amend
ment that the Secretary OF War shall pay these be-
fore CONGRESS acts upon that maiieri
Mr. SHIELDs Very Yer 1 we'll sir then The law pro.
posed by the honorable does not give the Secre
lay OF War one particle OF power which he has not at
Mr. GWlN, lin his seat) 1t gives him power to col
lect testimony
Mr.. SHIELDS. He has at this moment power TO re-
cepe evidence in relation those claims, and present
the matter before Congress and he has done Does
the Honorable gentleman know that we have the whole
matter before us, in the manner proposed by this amend
ment-ibat the whole subject is before the Military Com
meel The subject is before in the very shape
tempated by the gentleman What the claims against
the government--the persons who prefer the claims,
whether for PROVISIONS cattle, anything else, and the
amount of service which has been Tendered-a these
things have been considered by the COMMITTEES and The
question may be asked why not egislate upon it now
The reason is this want 10 separate the just claims,
those that believe to be equitable from the spurious
and fraudulent claims How is that to be done by the
gentleman's bill What does he ask the War Depart
ment TO do! To gather up all these claims, and bring
them before Congress in mass and let strike
one here and THERE'S not that II
Well, sir, we have that law now; and upon that all
the papers, embracing the claims for money, the claims
for provisions and supplies the claims for transportation
the claims for military servlcesor horses bought and
Sold and lost, and ked-all these, sir, are here now.
What want the gentleman to do--and mark me. am
in favor OF this thing, the gentleman from California
well knows, and have urged il from the commence
ment-what want now is. that the claims may be ex-
anined and classified, TO distinguish the good from the
bad. have acted under the suggestion OF the War
Department, and the Military Committee are unanimous
with me in thinking that the wlsest plan was to select
three competent officers have very little confidence In
these COMMISSIONS have enough 10 satisfy me
that they not always 10 be relied upon but we came
to the conclusion that the cheapest and most feasible
mode 10 establish three officers here IN Washing
10 determine what were the claims which ought 10 be
paid and for what they could not determine here in
Washington, that they should go TO California and de-
termlne there; and then bring before Congtesswhat!
not the whole oil these claims, but many oil these
claims just and ought be paid and then let Con-
gress leglslaie upon them.
Now. sir, am perfectly willing if the gentleman can
show me any quicker way TO do 1t, and do il properly,
am perfectly willing 10 adopt that way. But, sir, so
lar as that matter Is concerned. II understand cor
rectly there Is not provision in this bill that the de-
paIlment cannot now act upon without the law The
bill reads:
"And be further enacted That the Secretary of War be
directed TO ascertain, and report TO Congress
practicable all unpaid claims and demands"-
He has reported all that he has been able TO ascertain
already
"For supplies furnished or services rendered said
debts and liabilities contracted with view the active
prosecution Of hostiies by said troops"
The object OF this, sir is simply 10 get report from
The War Department OF the claims against the govern.
ment. II accomplishes nothing; II does no. authorize
their payment, and ii leaves the whole matter for Con-
gress 10 act upon when the information is received:
will therefore ask, II gentlemen insist upon IT, and refuse
to pass The bill ii reported by the committee, that
they will examine the report that has been made, and
IL the law already made does not embrace all that is
Mr. GWlN | am not particular about the form or the
manner OF collecting the information; but think J.
would take the board Of commissioners longer than u
the Secretary authorized and directed 10 have done
by the officers OF his department want all the claims
reported upon II there have been reports made TO any
considerable extent, am not aware OF the TACT am
aware OF one fact, however that the War Department
refused TO report and act upon one large claim which
have presented there
Mr., SHIELDS. | will make a suggestion tina, per-
we have both OF the same object Ia view-wbich is,
TO act honestly and fairly by these claimants. con,em.
plated Offering amendment that wosd enable these
three officers when selected here in Washington by the
President the Secretary OF War; 10 sit here in Washing
and determine all the they could before they
went 10 California They would examine the claims for
moneys paid, and let those be deter mined al will
ask the gentleman il that is not speeder way 10
compsh the object than the way he has suggested II
had not been called upon SO suddenly to act IN this
matter, would have proposed amendment to that eff
feet, 10 be reported by the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. GWlN. II the gentleman will oder an amend
nent in that form, II will answer all my purpose.
Mr. BRODHEAD. AS the morning hour il now ex-
PRED, aud the honorable senator from Illinois, who is
chairman OF the Committee Military Affairs, is about
to prepare amendment 10 the bill under considera-
tion think that the bill had better lie over until to-
morrow My colleague has the floor to-day the sab
The consideration oil that resolution hope the bill be.
fore will not interfere with his right TO be heard to-
day upon that subject
Mr. SHIELDS ! want TO get this out OF the way
and will therefore that the BILL together with
the amendment offered by the senator from California,
be recommitied to the Committee on Military Affairs.
The motion was agreed TO.
sos-MrERvrsTIos
The Senate then proceeded, as in committee OF the
whole the consideration OF the special order for this
day--beng the joint resolution reathrming the doctrine
OF non IDterven tIon 1HU rHf.rH 1851 n #
Mr. COOPER addressed the Senate in favor OF the
resolution His remarks reserved for revision.J
Mr.. WADE. | desire 10 make some observations
upon the subject under consideration, And rs | do
not wish to have any interference with any practical
business before the Senate. will move to postpone il to
such time shall be thought proper.
Mr. BADGER Saw o morrow week,