Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1854-12-22
Court to Investigate Claims against nc
General Government.

Court TO Investigate Claims against TIC
General Government.
The bill reported from The Select Committee
Of the Senate to establish a court for the hives
tigation Of claims against the United States,
which was passed yesterday with slight amend
ment, possesses very general interest. We copy
from the Intelligeneer synopsis of its proyis-
ions
The first section provides that court shall be
established TO be called court of claims, TO con-
sist Of three Judges TO be appointed by the Presi-
dent by and with the advice and consent OF the
Senate, and TO hold their Offices during good beha-
yior and the said court shall hear and determine
all claims founded upon any law Of Congress, or
upon any regulation Of an Executive department,
or upon any contract express or implied, with the
Government of the United States, which may be
suggested to it by petition filed therein; and also
all claims which may be referred to said court by
either House of Congress. The claimant TO set
forth full statement Of bis claim. The judges TO
receive each "a 900 per annum.
The second section provides for the appointment
ola solicitor to represent the government before
said court and defines his duties Ho Is to receive
$500 per annum. ..#
The third section provides that rules and regu-
latons shall be established, directs how testimony
tendance OF witnesses.
The fourth section prescribes that where II shall
appear to the court that the facts set forth In q
claim do not furnish ground for relief the court 10
not to take testimony, but report to Congress-.
If the opinion be not confirmed, then testimony to
be taken
The fifth section further defines the mode Of Ia
king testimony by interrogatories, dc.
The sixth section provides for the punishment
Of false swearing.
The seventh section prescrbes the mode Of
keeping record of the proceedings, and requires
a report to Congress at the commencement of each
session. The court to prepare in each case which
shall have received favorable decision bill or
bills TO carry the same into effect and to transmit
to Congress the testimony taken in each case,
whether the same has received favorable or nd
verse action.
The eighth section provides for continuation of
cases before Congress not finally acted upon du-
ring the session 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 considered at subsequent period
unless for such reasons as would furnish ground in
cases of law or chancery for new trial
The tenth section provides that suitable rooms
for the court shall be furnished either in the Capitol
or some part Of the city Of Washington
y The eleventh section authorizes the court to call
upon any of the Departments for information Or
papers deemed necessary for proper investigation
Of claims and to have the use Of all reports Of
committees, &c. A chief clerk, with salary Of
~, oO0 an assistant at 81 500, and messenger at
$500, to be appointed; said clerks to BIO under
the control Of the court, and to be removed for
misconduct or incapacity. The head Of no De-
partment is to answer any call for information or
papers If in his opinion it would be injurious to the
public interest.
This bin is now before the House Of Repre-
sentatiyes. IA n aW