Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1866-07-04
A Bill

To establish commission for the settlement o.
claims against the government of the United
States held by loyal citizens of East Tennessee.
Whereas a large number Of loyal citizens of East
Tennessee have Just claims against the govern
ment of the United States for property furnished
TO or taken by the armies of the United States
for which no vouchers or only informal vouchers
were taken; and whereas large amounts of prop.
erty Of loyal citizens of said section were destroyed
By said armies and said citizens were thus as well
as by the previous depredations of the rebel ar
niles, greatly impoverished and need all the relief
that can be afforded by the prompt adjudication
and payment of these claims; Therefore
Be ii enacted By the Senate and House Of Represe1-
IGtiUeS Of the United States Of america IN Congress
assembled That the President of the United States
be, and be is hereby, empowered to appoint by and
with the advice and consent of the Senate a COM
mission of three persons, to hear and determine
upon principles of equity and Justice and without
regard TO forms vouchers, the claims of all loyal
citizens residing in the eastern district of Tennessee
against the United States for forage subsistence,
horses mules or other property taken for the use of
the armies of the United States during the late war
against the rebellion and when such claims are ad-
Indicated in favor of the claman. the said commits
sioners shall draw their warrant for the amount
found due upon the Secretary of the Treasury coun-
tersigned by their clerk, and specifying whether the
Is for forage subsistence horses mules or other
property, and the same shall be paid out of any
money IN the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
SEC. z. And be Il further enacted, That the mode
Of proceeding before said commission shall be by
petition and ten days notice shall be given to the
United States district attorney for the district of
East Tennessee or IN case of his absence thirty
days notice in some newspaper printed in Knoxville
and said attorney may, In anyc where he deems
IT proper, file an answer in behalf OF the United
States. The evidence for against such claims
shall be by dispositions in writing, taken before any
circuit court commissioner of the United States or
before any justice OF the peace of Tennessee or be-
fore any justice of the peace or notary public in any
other State, upon such notice may be deemed
reasonable and proper by said commissioners.
SEC. 3. Ind be 1t further enacted, That said COM
missoners shall appoint a clerk and keep a record
Of their proceedings establish such rules of prdctice
as they may deem proper, and admit the appearance
of attorneys solicitors before them be at all times
open for the transaction of business and have power
TO secure propriety and decorum in the proceedings
before them, and may require the United States
marshal for the district of East Tennessee or one of
his deputies to be in attendance upon their sttings
SEC. 4 Ind be ii Further enacted That said com
missioners shall continue to act for the term of two
years from the passage of this act; they shall each
receive an annual salary Of -- dollars; the dis
trict attorney in addition to the compensation now
allowed by law, shall receive - dollars annu-
ally for his services; the clerk shall receive an an
nual compensation of - dollars; and such costs
as the commissioners may deem proper shall be ad-
Judged against the United States and certified to
and paid by the Secretary of the Treasury, and
such as the commissioners may deem proper to ad-
Judge against parties shall be paid by them; and
the commissioner shall have power to issue e1ecu-
ton or any other process necessary to enforce their
judgments or DEGREES, which shall be executed by
the marshal, who shall receive for executing the
same and also for his daily attendance upon the sit
ling Of the commissioners the same compensation
now allowed by law for similar services in the courts
# the United States
SEC. ;. And Be IL FURTHER enacted, That in the
event of the DEATH removal, resignation or refusal
10 act of either of the commissioners it shall be the
duty of the President with the advice and consent
Of the Senate TO appoint some other person to fill
the place so vacated.
SEC. 6. Ind be Il further enacted That the sala-
mes and costs, and awards hereinbefore mentioned
against the United States shall be paid by the Sec
rotary of the Treasury of the United States cut of
any money in his hands net otherwise appropriated
upon the warrant of the said commissioners, coun-
tersigned by their clerk. But no award shall be
made by them, or costs adudged in favor of any
person who has voluntarily borne arms against the
United States, or given aid TO those in rebellion
against the government thereof
SEC. :. AHd be Il further enacted, That the clerk
Of said commission shall have official seal, and
the decisions and awards of said commission shall
be authenticated thereby and said commission shall
hold lit sessions at Knoxville East Tennessee.