The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-09

co shall hereafter receive the pay ha, is allowed by
law to the military storekeepers and paymasters of that
departmen nj in the Atlantic States.
would state that these officers nov receive only $500
year, and this amendment will give them ST. ,200r-the
same amount which similar officers have in the Atlantic
Mr.. HUNTER should like to know what is the
cause OF the difference! Why do these officers not
now receive the same amount those in the Atlantic
Mr.. SHIELDS. This amendment puts the assistants
on the footing of principals in the Atlantic States, and
Those officers say they live in California, Ore
gon, and New Mexico for less than $l 200 year.
Mr. GWlN. know they cannot.
The amendment was agreed to.
CALIFORNIA CLAIMS
Mr. SHIELDS. | offer the following as an additional
section:
SEc Ind be il further enacted That it shall DO The
duty Of the Secretary War; under regulations he
may prescribe, to to be examined and testimony
be taken In all claims against the United States carrying
on the government in California in the 1916 and 1S7
under m Commodore r. F. Stockton, Brigader General
w. hkearny, and Lieutenant Colonel John c. Fremont ;
also Tor spolaons and for properly furnished taken for
military purposes IN California within that period which
have moi been avoraby reported by the board of
commissioners appointed under the sixth section Of the
August ST. isSs and report Rereupon TO Con
gress at its next session.
Mr., HUNTER. | do not exactly understand that
amendment and should like to have some explanation
Mr. SHIELDS will state the facts We appointed
board OF commisso the last session to examine
these Calorn claims. and that board proceeded with
the examinations but for the want OF testimony. and the
want OF means TO ascertain the correct state of affairs,
they had to leave it Off They made partial examna.
oa ana the hsn i We have concluded to
ascertain the character and of these caims and
then report to Congress- leaving it TO hereafter to de-
termine what is right in the After trying various
plans, we came to the conclusion that this was the only
safe mode Of course no injury result from it, be-
cause the matter after all, will be in hands
Mr.. HUNTER OF how many is this board TO con-
Mr. SHIELDS. This amendment, does not provide
for any board at all II simply leaves it TO the Sec
retary OF War 10 ascertain the character OF the claims,
and the of the claims. and then TO give his own
opinion as to what he believes TO be just and report the
whole matter 10 Congress.
MIR WELLER ] do not exactly what disposition
is made by the amendment OF the board now in exist
Mr. SHIELDS. There is no further necessity for it;
Mr. WELLER would also suggest that the amend
nent ought require this board TO the State of
California, where all the testimony can be readily OBJ
tanned II is impossible to obtain here the testimony
necessary to enable the board to determine upon the JUS
tce Of these claims That testimony be very readily
obtained in California, and il is very great ncon-
venience. to those who have claims OF the character
spoken OF IN that amendment, TO require them TO
here with the proof necessary to sustain their claims.
should therefore, prefer that the amendment should be
so modified as TO require the commissioners who to
pass upon these claims to assemble in California, where
they can have opportunity OF obtaining the necessary
information upon this subect-inforpation which, in my
Judgment, cannot by any possibility be obtained here
That tAe will be many claims presented fraudulent 10
their character, have doubt That fraud be
more readily detected there than esewhere and is for
that reasop that desire that the senator from Illinois
should modify his amendment require The Secre-
ary OF War to organize that board, and then direct them
10 proceed TO California
Mr.. SHIELDS Perhaps my honorable friend is right,
and perhaps am wrong, IN reference to that point But
this amendment does authorize the Secretary of War
10 appoint any board necessity 10 ascertain the
condition OF these California claims, and propose to
authorize the Secretary OF War take such steps he
may deem necessary ascertain the OF the claims
and their character Whatever agent he employs, he will
OF course send to California for that purpose he may
employ an agent or officer there. We leave il alto
gether TO him TO determine the best plan.
Mr.. GWIN. Mr.. President this is most inefficient
amendment II does nothing. II reirogades from what
we did last year These claims have been in exist,
ence Tor six years, and there question that
has created irritation against this government than
the failure on it's pas TO make disposition OF them
was IN hopes, IRON the intercourse which took place
between the chairman OF the Committee Military Az
fairs and myself in regard to the subject that he would
be prepared TO offer amendment of substantial char
acter IN reference to these claims was snxou. 'ha,
they should be disposed ofhat they should be iri
fled with and thrust upon Congress from year year by
mere reports which here and die of without any
t,on Ihe report Of the late board Of commissioners
came in here, and has received consideration all
IBIS board OF commissioners ought TO sit in California
70 investigate this question IL you ever intend to pay
the claims, they ought to be paid Immediately. They
have now been six years in existence II
20 me That this amendment is giving the goby to the
claims altogether because i makes no appropriation.
V' 70" 'uis poaiu uaVei aoout IN SalIoInla WITHOUT
some money Tor the purposei How the Secretary of
War carry out the oblecl There is no appropriation
made 10 enable him TO do so. IL seems TO me that the
amendmen' entirely nugatory, and can lead TO good
result was IN hopes that the Committee on Military
huaHs would bring forward something like that which
tney proposed last year. and that that the Secretary
OF war should appoint board Of officers hoped tha,
ne committee would have asked for an appropriation 10
pay the claims which that board might deem lust subject
of course TO the revision Of the Secretary OF War Bn,
Inc present amendment il seems me- is entirely nuaa
tory and useless 80
Mr.. BORLAND. The remarks of the senator from
California, that this amendment inefficient and nu0a,o
ry in its character only be sustained upon the ann
position that the Secretary OF War will be inefficient, and
incompetent to perform the duties OF his Office
Mr.. GWlN. By no means
Mr.. BORLAND. The committee examined the n.,,sr
thoroughly and for the purpose OF giving the greatest e
hcency to this provision and to the views of The
senator from California far possible adop,ed tbe
terms OF this amendment board was appointed bv an
act passed at the last session The board had been ait
ting and adudcang the claims and as is usual when
Congress undertakes TO administer the laws as well as
pass them, very little has been done To obvate ali
difficulty, and to put il entirely at The discretion of the
Secretary OF War, in whom we disposed in advance
Rdelity think will be sufficient for us TO adopt this
provision. conferng upon him the general power, and
making il his general duty 10 adopt whatever measures
in his discretion and Judgment may be proper to
psh that object putting upon him the restriction that he
shall not pay anything now but shall wait until at the
session. after we have procured all this information we
make the appropriation The object is to enable him.
by the best in his power TO obtain the necessary
information and lay before Congress At the