The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1866-05-04
THE STATE LEGISLATURE.
Indemnity Bill.

SEC. l. Be It further enacted by the Gen.
eral Assembly Of the State of Tennessee
That the State of Tennessee assumes and un-
dertakes to pay the loyal citizens of this
State the following description Of claims,
when the same shall be established as here
intofore required.
First All claims for horses, mules, cat
tie, hogs or other live stock, forage and pro-
visions of every description, taken and used
by the national forces during their occupan-
cy OF this State, in waging war against the
rebellion.
Secondly. All claims for damages by the
national forces in the destruction of fences,
buildings or other improvements, or of tim
Der or fixtures to real estate, and for the use
and occupation oflands, houses or other pro-
psrty by said forces.
Thirdly. All claims for property taken,
used, destroyed, occupied or injured by the
Rebel forces in any part of the State subse-
quent to the occupation of Knoxville by Ma
jor General Burnside: Provided, That such
ofthe aforesaid claims are collected from the
general government under the laws of the
Uuited States, and the rules and regulations
OF the department thereof are not hereby as
sumed, and shall not be paid under this act
Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, That any
person who shall present and collect the
same claim twice, or shall collect the same
after receiving indemnity from the United
States, or shall knowingly aid or assist there
in, shall be deemed guilty Of felony, and
upon conviction shall undergo confinement
in the Penitentiary Of this State for period
of not less than two nor more than ten years,
SEE. 3. Be 1t further enacted, That it shall
be the duty of the Governor to appoint three
experienced and competent commissioners,
one of whom shall reside in each Of the grand
divisions ofthe State, whose duty it shall be
to hear proof and adjndicate said claims, and
to certify the same to the Comptroller for
the payment; said commissioners shall held
their sessions at Knoxville, Nashville and
Jackson, and give public notice for their ses-
sions in newspaper at each Of said places
They may also, if they believe the interest
and convenince of the people require it, AZ
ter q like notice, meet at any ether place for
the discharge of their duties.
SEC. 4 Be it further enacted, That the
Commissioners shall each take an oath that
he will faithfully and impartially and without
favor, discharge the duties ofhis office, which
oath shall be filed in the office of the Secre-
tary of State, and no person shall be eligible
to said Office unless he shall have been
throughout the rebellion, uniform and con-
sistent friend Of the National Government and
opposed to the rebellion and no claim shall
be allowed or paid unless the testimony shall |
show that the claimant and each Of his wit |
nesses, and the officer before whom the tes-
timony shall be taken, shall have been throug- |
out'the rebellion, in like manner, uniform and |
consistent friends ofthe General Government.
and opposed to the rebellion.
SEC. Be it further enacted, That the
witnesses may be examined in person by said
Commissioners, and the testimony reduced to
writing by them, or depositions may be ta-
ken by the claimant before any officer Of this
State, authorized to administer oaths for gen.
eral purposes, having the qualification Of
loyalty as aforesaid, but the evidence shall
be in writing and filed in the Office Of the
Comptroller Of the State.
SEC. 0. Be il further enacted, That said
shall have power to send for
any witness who may have been examined,
and compel said witness to attend in person
for re-examination, and shall have all the
powers Of court Of record In similar cases,
and il shall be their duty, upon sufficient
cause appearing to them, to re-hear any cause
they may have decided, and, upon addition
n proof, to reverse former decision, and II
they shall End any claim to have been i'm
properly paid, they shall enter up judgment
against the claimant, and shall have all the
powers Of a court of equity to enforce such
Judgment
SEC. 7. Be Il further enacted, That II shall
be the duty Of the Governor to cause the six
Der cent, coupon bonds of the State, or the
interest bearing Treasury notes Of the State,
With interest payable annually Of the deuom-
nation of $50, SlOO and $500, bearing date
he lst day Of January, 1877, and payable BY
he Treasurer, to be Issued in payment Of said
.laims.
SEC. 9. Belt further enacted, That the
ignAturs Of the Comptroller to the cou pons
II instAllmsntS Of interest, and the signature
f.he Governor to the bonds, may be en-
,rayed, bu, the signature Of the Secretary Of
state shall be written by himself or BY some
,erson BY bim duly authorized, having re-
,ard to uniformity In the execution Of said
,onds or notes a. far as practicable.
SIC. 0. BE Il further enacted, That upon the
ling Of the evidence upon which any claim
nay bo allowed, the Comptroller shall regis.
ar the same In q we'll bound book, properly