Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-04-24
MYSTERIES OF INDEMNITY.

The General Claim Commissioner An
swers Thirteen Questions for his
subOrdinaIes.
Col. Thos. Waters, General Claim Com
missioner under the law ''indemnhying
loyal citizens for losses sustained during
the war" will issue in day or two a cir
culsr addressed TO the County Commission
ers throughout the State, containing the
following answers to questions which have
for some time been pouring in from all
quartera, by letter and otherwise:
!. Is it necessary that witnesses should
have seen the property when taken by
either army?
Answer. Such testimony lie preferred /;
but if witnesses know that the property was
taken or used by the army, and can swear
to the same, that is sufficient to establish
a claim.
Q. Must claimant be required 10 give the
name. rank and regiment of officer taking
property in all cases?
Ans. When such testimony caunot be OBJ
tanned, let the claimant state what COM
mand. brigade or division, if possible. II
he cannot ascertain these, let him state that
the property was taken by an unknown
command" of the Federal or Rebel army
as the case may be.
3. Are receipts OF vouchers Of Federal or
Rebel officers alone sufficient to establish
claim?
Ans. They are not sufficient. Claimants
must establish their losses by the testimony
| Of Ioval witnesses, in all Cases bat ali re.
ceipts or vouchers must accompany the
| claim.
4. Must claimant pay clcrk's fees, and for
revenue stamps?
Ans. The claimant must pay all fees that
accrue. The tilty-cent stamp Is dispensed
| with, unless the claimant fills the power OF
attorney, which is discretionary with him.
3. Must the Commissioners con6ne
themselves to the blanks furnished toy the
General Claim Commissioner?
Ans. No blanks must be used except
those furnished 10y him, or similar ones.
He will furnish all necessary blanks when
called upon 10y the County Commissioners,
G. Are members of claimants family
competent witnesses
| Ans Ii other witnesses cannot be had
YOU may receive the testimony OF relatives
7. IL il necessary 10 have two witnesses
Ans. You will see from section 9TH o.
| the indemnity bill, that the claimant mus
establish bis loyalty by two or more wit
nesses. lie must also prove the taking o
his property by two or more witnesses, Ou
he IA not required TO have the same wat
nesses in both cases.
8. Must the claimant file his claim II
the county where the property was taken
Ana. Claimant may file his claim IN any
county, ii he has the required testimony II
said county.
9. Do rejected claims require the Clerk
certificate and revenue stamps
Ans. They do not require Clerks certiti
cate, or the revenue stamp, unless thu
power Of attorney il filled, in which cast
the ffty-oent stamp is required.
10. Who are 10 be considered loyal now
Ans. Sections and Of the indemnit
bill require the claimant to take the fran
chise oath, and prove by two loyal me
that he the clsimRnt) WAS an uncond
r. tional loval man during the entire rebe
J., lion, aud that he is now loyal. Witness
!. must be their own Judges as 10 who al
7, now loyal, and the Commissioners are Il
> only Judges as TO the loyalty Of witnesse
You will see from the law, that all WI
nesses must be loyal.
II. Can commissioner hle Claim ID
II fore his own Board2
n Ans. There is nothing in the bill to pr
., vent bis doing so.
p How are heirs 10 make apple
ton
;, Ans The heirs will be required 70 tai
The franchise oath, and prove their loyal
u 10 two or more witnesses then the adm
islrator OF the estate, or guardian, can 1
e, the claim, and bring proof, as administr
tor or guardian, filing with said clam
N COPY of his letters of administration.
l3. Can the certificate Of United stat
officer be dispensed with
Ans. Il cannot. The laws OF CongTe
II. REQUIRE the certificate on all claims.
NJ In addition 70 the above, the Genel
Claim Commissioner would say, that
y claimant cannot give the name Of ofhc
he or regiment you will change the blank
&c rs 10 conform with the circumstances
Ia the case, and slate what army the proper
r; was used by.
e. Claims tor stolen property cannot be CT
W. sidered by the Commissioners. The P
bv pertv must have been taken or used, eltl
ia | bv the Federal or Rebel army.
a He also urges upon the Commission
\ the necessity Of studying the lndemn
al Rill. which will enable them TO Perio
.pl | ,bs;r dutips readl ".