Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-03-15

AN ACT to establish the nyestig atiOn of
! claims against the United states

I
claims against the United states.
BE enacted By the Senate and House Of Repressnfa-
tires of the United States Of 7eriea an Congress
sebied That shall be established To be called
court of claims, 10 consist Ofhree judges 10 be appointed
by the President, by and with the advice and
the Senate and to hold their Offices during good
havior; and the said shalt hear and determine all
claims founded upon any Law of Congress- upon any
regulation Of an executive department. upon
tract, express implied with the government of the
United States which may be suggested TO by petition
filed tberein and also ali claims which may be referred
said coau by either house of Congress. Ii shall be the
duty of the claimant in all cases 10 set forth fun state
of the claim, and Of the action thereon in Com
gress, by any of the departments If such action has
been had; specifying also What person or persons are
owners thereof interested therein, and when and upon
What consideration such person persons became i'm
tcrested. Each OF the said judges shall receive com
quarterly, from the treasury of the United States, and
shall take AN oath TO support the constitution Of the Uni
ted States and discharge faithfully the duties of his Office
Seq. find b. Il further ea6efed That solicitor fO
the United States Ia represent the government befOT,
si .pl' sli pe appoints" y! me rresi"enl' ny ana
with the advice and consent of the Senate. IL shall be
the duty of said solicitor To prepare all the par
of the government for hearing before said court, and
the same when prepared To testimony To bt
taken, when necessary the Unite,
States; prepare fors file Undergraduates and super
intend the taking of testimony in the manner prescribed
by said court, and generally render such services a
may be required of him from time To time in the dis
charge of the duties of his office. Said solicitor shall b
10 faithful discharge Of the duties OF his office in
the manner prescribed for the qualification of the Judge
in the irs section Of this act: ami he shall receive
compensation of three thousand five hundred dollars
annum for his services, 10 be paid quarterly from ih
/ treasury of the United States.
SEC. 3 find be IL further enacted, That the said cour
shall have authority 10 establish rules and regulations
its government; To appoint commissioners take testi
mony, to be used in the investigation of claims that ma
before L.; 10 prescribe the fees they shall receive
for their services; rnd TO issue the tan.
OF such testimony, whether the same ssall.bc taken
the instance of the claimant of the United States an,
also issue subp@nas require the attendance wit
nesseS in order 10 be examined before such commits
siOncrS; which suhp0'nas shall have the force
issued from district court Of the United States, an,
compliance herewith shall he compelled under sucl
rules and orders the court hereby created shall cstab
lish When testimony is taken for the claimant, the
OF the commissioner before whom IL taken. and th
cost the commission and notice, shall be paid by
claimant; and when taken Ut the instance of the govern
ncnt snch fees together with all postage incurred b
TN, solicitor aforesaid In his official capacity shall b
paid Of the contingent fund provided for said court
In all cases, when be conveniently done. the
mOny shall be taken In the county where the dcponen
resides and commissioner taking the is hereb
authorized and required 10 adminsleran oath afrma
ton To the witnesses brought before him for eNamina
ton.
SIC 4. ind be IL further enacted. That ia all case
where shall appear TO the court that the facts SET Ou
in the petition of the claimant do not furnish any groun,
for relief il shall be the duty author
the tax ing Of testimony In the case until the
shall have been reported by them TO Congress as is here
matter provided PrOridcd hoscrer That ii Congress
shall. such case fa to confirm the opinion of sis
board they shall proceed TO take the testimony in suci
ease.
SRc s. 4nd be 10 further eRacted, That in taking ties
tmony be used in support Of any claim before sal,
opportunity shall be given to the United States Il
file nterrogatories, by attorney to examine witnesses
under such regulations said court shall prescribe
like opportunity shall be afforded the claimant, ia
where testimony Is taken behalf of the United STATES
I under like regulations.
SIC. O. fad be IL further enacted That II any persOi
shall knowingly and wilfuly falsely before sal,
court bef any person persons commissioned b,
Them authorized by this act to take testimony in
pending before said at the time OF taking sal,
OATH In thereafter 10 DE- submitted 10 said court
such person shall be deemed guilty of perjury, anu.
conviction thereof, shall be subjected TO the same pains
penalties. and disabilities which shall be here
aier by law prescribed for wiful and corrupt perjury
SIC. Z. find be n further eRaeted That said eour
shall keep record of their proceedings and SHALL at Tia
commencement Of each session OF Congress, and Ia
commencement Of each month during the session of Con
gress, report TO Congress the upon which the.
shall have finally acted, stating in each the material fact
which they find established by the evidence, with tei
opinion in the case, and the reasons upon which suc
opinion Is founded Any judge who may dissent from
the opinion Of the majority shall append his 70
such dissent To the report; and such report. toselle
with the briefs Of the solicitor and Of III claimant
which shall accompany the report upon being made &