The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-04-18

u 81
pay for IT, Although there is positive proof thai Il j
property WAS IN the possession of the enemy, and within
jurisdiction Of the United States the dae OF the esI
yet think have shown sufficient, from the historical
OF the case. TO bring up the mind of every
to do justice those parties who intended 10 be
eved by The government OF Great Britain by the paymu
regret Mr.. President that have taken so much linn
in the discussion of dis bin. have taken longer bsn
supposed would but having now gone through the sub
ject Isaye it, and shall submit, with proper Difference
the decision Of the Senate
u MIR. BAYARD. Mr.. President, justice TO myself \,
ques that SONS portion Of argument OF my honosb
friend from Maryland should be noticed by He seems
TO suppose that IN the remarks which addressed Ia
Senate Friday last reference 10 this bill used are
which be has chosen TO designate al epiand a.
guents of that character Sir, had hoped that
my here, should be open 10 objection Of
that kind III could recognise in any Of the specification
which the honorable senator makes any ground for sustain
ing that position which he has taken, should be persc
wiling TO retact any remark made by me having such
aspect.
The honorable senator innlates the remarks which h
made ia connexion with my allegation of the mode in which
first became acquainted with these for the purpose
examination that my feelings became interested in regard
| TO them. Allow 10 say that do moi suppose that l.
more any other man, free from human mperfecloa
the danger of bias arising from pride Of opinion and
presume that is the only feeling which conld possibly
supposed to actuae In the have endeavored
keep myself clear Of that certainly arrived at my conc
without having any previous yfomed opinions Of the
merits Of the case; and indeed without any knowleasc
the subject until came apply myself 10 il for the pu
But, on the other hand sir may not ask whether tn.
honorable senator from Maryland may not DO Under some
what more bias in reference TO which enss bis feel
ngs for his immediate constituents and in which he prob
bly, heard the story Of the claim repeated 70 hm and The
grounds Of loss told him. long before he brought his mind
judge, judicial investigation Of the facts which
| he had to determine ASA public MANI
Mr. President the honorable senator further told that
this bill passed the Senate at former session Of Congress
and sanctioned by them concede that passed the
Senate nnd passed had made up my opinion against
it, but il happened, by negligence Of mnc if you
will by accident that all these tobacco bills called
up those days when absent from the Senate and
had opportunity be heard upon thei and they
were passed without any discussion Of principle involved
4 in them.
Mr. President the honorable senator saga that The prpcc.
the Senate where adverse report is made upon BILL
10 to concur IN matter of course and the bill 10 not
passed. IT. ny the practice of the Senate claim once re-
ected was considered finally rejected, this case perhap
would have before Tie allegation of the honor
able senator is pobub strictly correct that in the particular
case, and at the particular session at which adverse
port made upon ab that report seldom II ever, cono
verted The of then presented But look
your Senate list Of cams look back your records
what do you find to be the fact Sir where decision upon
claim is favorable and the bill passes the party gets the
money and of COURSE the decision being against the United
States, is final and the money gone. But where cams
rejected three adverse reports for session after
session. finally slips through brought forward eight
ter ortweve, ard sometimes twenty years after the6
adverse report and presented with merely cumuvs
evidence, slight variation the proof Of facts In which
reasonable would the least ma erieliy; and
when all memory Of the precedent action Of Congress has
ene 10 forn adjudcstons is reported upon favorab
and bill passes both houses allowing the claim. Any
gentleman who will take the trouble examine the Senate
list of caims which has only been Published within the last
five years. viii be able the OF legisa
uon, and satisfy himself that far from there being general
any denial OF justice TO private claimants II their claims
are sometimes epoed upon adversely this body and
postponed, yet they rarely defeated he claims
Only persistenty pursued always ultimately allowed,
unless they happen % be very large amount that aomd
genel becomes alarmed IA consequences Of the amount,
and account of the Objectionable principle involved
You viii ind thai be the history OF all these claims
ard say further, as the result of ny examination Of
gea, number OF claims which have had look at in ref
erence 10 the investigation of this and other cascs thst IN
my oplnoc large majority Of the claims which brought
before Congress for adjudication and allowances arc either
utterly baseess claims the government OF are so
exaggerated IN amount, ha asenst individual, the
same Claims would be pronounced cxtoraon. Sir there
singular Characteristic in tbs moral nature Of man. that
| where, as between and man. sympathy may be IN.
dulged on both sides, the feeling will probably 90 with the
justice OF the case; bat when you como TO claim upon The
government is looked upon nonentty has no sym
pathies IN its favor; and even among moral men, among
good men, many who, between ndivduas, would decide
rightly look upon the public and the represent
ing the public goose 10 be plucked Instead OF census
being passed upon The mao Who by management and skill
ul arrangement OF his proofs, obiDs from the treasury
money which, II Obtained in similar mode from an iodl-
sdua would be condemned fraud, that Is applaud
ed and admired for his sagaety who adroi,y piosk'
the greatest quantity Of feathers from the public goose Sur
tbs unfortunately too II is because this wrong tone
OF sentiment does exist II because the examination Of
acis IN reference 10 what called claims upon the govern
neni IS 80 loosely conducted the Senate and Congress
generally r less loosely, admi, in the House Of Repre-
sentstiyes than iys body, that although the pnry may
fail to-day from happening have one member on
committee who w take the trouble xaminc the case, he
has only LET his claim lie ak yesrs
and u he has the tact TO get favorable committee, OF one
favorable number he viii have the report his favor and
the ball may be passed. II bill be ecommsndsd by
| onc committee, sl subsequent committees always follow
like sheep IN the railway OF the h,st report, and recon
mend and adopt the same bill That the course here
founded pse which the individual
is Represented by prepared testimony of the oossst chaae
the side and tb, other the repre-
sentng the great public Of the United State Is totally un
represented No ,ettimony u presented on ts behalf and
there ttlc Investigation IN reference 10 the merits OF the
| claim, es regards IT, rights.
II Is because have so much Of this thar hsye been
anxious and desfous 70 proper tribunal constituted
orpasslng upon these claims upon The govern Whers
claim y just admit ought 10 be raid, and paid prompt
ly; but Do eo,sJor desc special laws r the relief OF M
dvidual parties As injecting the progress Of corruption ~
is gotcrnreot 70 eyteEt Alarming s character and
az long reusr 20 hi 6oor shs ms Tar as colss
en with my othe, duies always ppos, every which
efnnont vii chctfuly a. glad " at Any ims, for
bl which proyi,s proper tribunal give speedy and
immediate relief cvely having jost es.m upon he
government, under those principles Of law and equity which
ought TO govern he relations u The citizen sns the GOV
eminent When such tribunal Is constituted, you nil
have something like DECISIONS gsnsl principles and
ere rules which ought always 10 regulate and determine the
relative rights Of the cizen end the gov omen the
way that they regulate and determine ghta and obgauons %
bsi~een and What ,Dnnsttous course Of tbgs
Is now Asreksrds an individual " any man should pro