Washington sentinel., 1855-01-05
O. 0 NJ N unitate6.
For the Sentinel.
.Court Of CIaims,-The Widow Darden's

"C0urt Of Claimsv--The Widow Darden's
Horse.
The bill introduced into the Senate Of the
United States by the Hon. Richard NJ. Brod-
head, of Pennsylvania, ITO establish court for
the Investigation Of claims against the United
,States," has passed that body; and, having
been published, is now undergoing an eKami-
nation at the bar of public opinion. 1t is a
measure OF vast importance to the government
and the people; and has, heretofore, been sew
eral times brought before the House of Repre-
sentatives and ably discussed by some Of its
leading members. But, until the present ses'
sion, it has been stifed in its incipient state,
and suffered to die before it assumed a tangi-
BILE form. Senator Brodhead has, however,
produced its resuscitation in skillful manner;
and, by the exercise of untiring energy and
great ability, has succeeded in obtaining for it
the favorable consideration of the Senate, with
the earnest and eloquent advocacy Of some Of
the leading and most distinguished members Of
that august body. 1t goes into the House,
therefore, with the best endorsers to secure its
iinal passage; and, if we can form q correct
opinion from the general expression already
uttered in its favor by the public press and our
best informed citizens, it will be one of the
most popular measures adopted by Congress.
Before making any comments upon the
principle or detail Of the bill, will notice some
incidents referred TO by Senators, in the debate
upon its merits. Indeed, my principal motive,
at this time, in sitting down to write this arti
Gle, was to afford an opportunity Of relating
something OF an anecdote connected with one
OF the incidents referred to. At the commences
ment of his explanatory speech, when the bill
was first called up in the Senate, in its original
NJ Mr Rrpd co.d = "a
dy an evil which was a crying one for the las,
twenty or twenty-five years. And Mr.. Clayton,
IN his remarks on the bill, after it was reported
back by the select Com mittee, exhibited figures
10 show the immense expense incurred by Con.
gress in the investigation of private claims
Among other striking illusions to the extrava.
CANT and ridiculous waste Of time and money
IN this respect, he states his belief that "the
celebrated case of Amy Darden's horse had
cost the country more than the proposed tribu,
nal would cost in twenty yearsr
Now, for a brief history Of Mrs. Amy Dardens
horse. The allusion made to him by the SEN
ator from Delaware, has revived little episode
published among the sketches of Congressional
proceedings, during the war Of 1872, concern
ing the celebrated horse Romulus'' whose
value was claimed from the United States, BY
the widow Darden. One Of the closest obser.
vers Of passing events, and ablest political
writers at that time in the country, Matthew
Carey, in commenting upon the culpable waste
OF time, BY Congress, in making long and use.
less speeches, especially during the war sessions
of 1918, IA and 10, also speaks Of the interfer-
ence Of pricate and sometimes the most trTfinq
business, with the action Of that body, and a.
occupying large portion of the time, which
was SO earnestly required by the important af.
fairs of the nation. In illustration of his posi-
tion Mrs. Darden's horse is introduced upon
the stage. Here, says he, q must notice one
particular case of the most extraordinary kind
that ever occupied the attention of public
body Never was there greater mockery Of
deliberative assembly.
"A stud-horse, called Romulus, belonging to
Mr.. David Darden, was impressed by con-
tinental officer, in the year 1881 Having
been valued at seven hundred and City pounds.
specie, General Green returned him on account
of the extraordinary price. He was afterwards
taken by another officer and never returned
The widow of David, Mrs. Amy Darden, has
been very assiduous applicant to Congress for
remuneration from that period and the sub
ject has at various sessions, occupied large
portion Of the time of that bodyl The wages
OF Congress, during the time Of the debates
the best appointed regiment of dragons in
Christendoml A worthy member from Vir.
ginia used to ride RoxULUS into Congress, in
great state, every year during his life He is
now no more. Who has been appointed
Master of the horse in his place, I cannot
decide. But that he has successor, is beyond
all doubt; for Darden's horse was curvetting
and prancing as usual, even during the
late very important session II Session OF
1914 and 1915. A gentleman to whom
mentioned this circumstance, informs me that
in the years 1902 and 1903, there were two
pamphlets published on this subject, at the
expense Of the nation, for the use of the mem.
bers, the cost Of which would, perhaps have
paid for the horse. To render this whole pro.
cedure more culpable, as well as more farcfcal,
the Senate Of the United States were, on the
7th, 9th, or 9th Of February 1915, pfen erery
moment Of their time ioas inerpreSsiJly i,,rala.
able, grapely debating a bill for tie remunera-
fion Of Mrs. Darden!f And Mey nerc then
scithin month Of the close Of their session,
and had made no prorision for he defense OF
o,T cities, liable to hourly deSt,nrtion, nor for
the restoration Of The public credali The
mind is lost in the most profound astonishment
at the contemplation of such conduct, am mis-.
taken if the annals Of legislation can produce
a parallel. One Of two things The claim is
JUST or UNJUST. IL the former, it is disgrace.
ful and dishonorable not to have discharged it.
If otherwise, it is really in sufferable to have
the PUBLIC taxed by such importantly"
1t must be remembered that the above was
written in the fall of 1915, or early in the year
Of 1916. But "Romulus," although relct Of
the revolutionary war, was far from being dis
posed Of by Congress at the last session OF The
second ,odr acah England, where he occupied
the prominent position described in the fore
going historical sketch. He held to on the pub.
lie manger for many long years afterwards;
and the perseverance, Of his mistress and the
industry of Congress, added to the great caution,
acute notions Of economy and praiseworthy re.
gard for the public interests manifested by that
honorable body, throughout the great struggle
with the widow and her horse, deserves further
notice. AMY DARDES and Romulous came
into Congress in the year 1894, and finally took
their leave in the year 1892, with the money,
in full, for their claim This was a struggle
lasting through Miyfy-eigh years-longer, per.
h,n thop xr;n loct the Iat,ro