Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-12-23
/ COURT TO INVESTIGATE CLAIMS AGAINST THE
] GENERAL GOVERNMENT.

The bill reported from the Select Committee of
the SENATE to establish Court for the Investiga-
ton of Claims against the United States, which
was passed yesterday with a slight amendment,
possesses very general interest We give synop-
sis of its provisions:
The first section provides that court shall be esta
bshe to be called court Of claims to consist of three
judges, to be appointed by the President by and with
the advice and consent Of the Senate and to hold their
offices during good behavior; and the said shall
hear and determine all claims founded upon any law Of
Congress- upon any regulation Of Executive depart
ment, upon any contract express implied, with the
Government Of the United States which may be sug-
gested 1t by petition fled therein and also all claims
which may be referred to said by either House Of
Congress The claimant to set forth full statement Of
his claim. The judges to receive each 81, 900 per
annum.
The second section provides for the appointment of
solicitor to represent the Government before said court
and defines his duties He is to receive $500 per
annum
The third section provides that rules and regulations
shall be established, directs how testimony is to be
taken, and gives power to compel the attendance Of wit
nesses.
The fourth section prescrbes that where it shall APP
pear to the court that the facts set forth in claim do
not furnish ground for relief the is take
mouy, but report to Congress If the opinion be not
confirmed, then testimony to be taken.
The fifth section further defines the mode Of taking tes
imony by interrogatories &C.
The sixth section provides for the punishment of false
swearing.
The seventh section prescribes the mode Of keeping
record Of the proceedings and requires report Con-
gress at the Of each session The court
to prepare in each which shall have received fa
vorabe decision bill bills to carry the into
effect and to transmit Congress the testimony taken in
each case whether the has been passed rejected
The eighth section provides for continuation Of
before Congress not finally acted upon during the session
4 to which reports are made
The ninth section provides that claims reported upon
adversely by the court and confirmed by Congress- shall
be considered concluded and that they shall not be
sdered subsequent period unless for such
would furnish ground in in law chancery for
new trial.
The tenth section provides that suitable for the
court shall be furnished either in the Capitol
part of the city of Washington
The eleventh section authorizes the court to call
any of the Departments for information papers deem
ed necessary for proper Investigation Of claims and to
have the of oil reports Of committees, &c. chief
clerk, with salary of $4,000, assistant at $1,000,
and messenger at $780, to be appointed said clerks to
be under the control Of the court and to be removed
misconduct incapacity The head Of no Department
is to any call for information papers If in his
opinion it would be injurious to the public interest
This bill is now before the House of Reprenta-
tives.