Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-02-25
THE COURT OF CLAIMS.

THE COURT OF CLAIMS.
The passage of the bill establishing this
Board, will, we are quite confident, receive a
very general appreciation. The advantages are
many and apparent; the evils, if any, are Only
those inseparable from all tribunals.
The President no doubt will sign it, and it
will therefore become law of the land in a
few days. 1t will be valuable law, for many
reasons provided the President appoints first
rate men, as we presume he will. The judges
are to perform the duties of masters in chan.
Gerry. They hear the cases on both sides, and
state the real facts, with their own opinion
thereon. The result will be- that the time Of
Congress will be saved honest claimants can
have their cases speedily brought forward and
decided, the system Of electioneering will cease,
and the good character of Congress will be
preserved.
II it had no other effect than to diminish the
pestilent evil of lobbying, it would on this &C
count alone recommend itself to the lasting
gratitude Of all succeeding Congresses and Of
every person having just claims upon the Gov.
eminent.
People not familiar with the system ofobby-
ing, rs carried on in Washington, can hardly
conceive the value and Importance Of q meas
IRE which will be SO efficient in diminishing
this great evil.
1t will be information to many to learn that
large body of men are Systematically at work
to defeat every claim in which their services
have not been engaged, and to engage in pro
curing the passage of any bill, for which they
arctic be compensated There are many hon
orabe exceptions to this rule-gentlemen q
integrity, who shun improper conduct.
The poor claimant is made to feel that, I'M
: less certain opposition is removed, his bill
cannot pass; the lobby cormorants are SO nn
merous and so greedy, that, in order to have
anything of his just claim left for himself, he
is induced by these advisers to claim twice OF
thrice rs much as he would to obtain only in
demnity.
Of the thousands Of claims before Congress
each has upon an average some half dozen
persons, hunting members of Congress inces
sanity, and by personal importantly seeking tc
secure their support, or by long and tedious
narratives and arguments consuming their
time and patience. A system of log-rolling ii
also all the time going on among the lobby attor
news of the several claims, and the passage o
one mans claim is made dependant upon his
removing the obstruction in anothers way.
The reports are necessarily mostly erpare
and cannot command the confidence Of Con
gress, because, with the best intention on the
part of the committee, they cannot in vas
many cases, make a thorough examination.
This tribunal, it is fair to presume, will hav,
to preside over it, men whose character ant
abilities will be guarantee for integrity ant
just award. The Indicator appointed by Gov
eminent and selected. to defend its interests
will have his reputation at stake to secure III,
most thorough search Of every case and L
allow none to passed. which there can be an
reasonable doubt. The supervision reserved
by Congress, will hang perpetually on the cour
as an incentive TO the most unexceptionabl,
decisions. The losses and anguish of hops
deferred, to many worthy people, will cease t.
carry TO the grave so many as has the present
mode, where the expenses to a claimant in
most instances exceed the amount to be recoy
cred.
The sagacious Senator (Mr. Brodhead) who
originated this bill in the Senate, viii have
the satisfaction, as he ought TO have the credit
Of bringing forward bill Of utility second to
but few measures which have ever passed
The work SO well done by him in the Senate
was well and ably carried out by his colleague
in the House, Hon. j. Clancy Jones. The
practical talent and persevering energy shown
by these gentlemen in this matter, give such
assurance Of the true metal, as should secure
the lasting confidence and support Of their
constituencies.