Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-12-01
CnAted states and Mexican
The most reckless Of all public
plunderers are those who bring claims


plunderers are those who bring claims
against a government for alleged
damage to private property in time
Of war, riot or flllibustering expedi-
tions. Their figures are perfectly
astonishing and their wealth of the
highest Crnsonian order. They
press these claims with pertinacity
that is wonderful and only equaled
by the unscrupulousness Of the man
ner employed. Deceit, Justification
and even perjury are drafted into the
work, and the most brilliant legal
talent Is hired to manipulate the
onslaught. We are brought to these
reflections from reading an account
Of the doings Of the United States
and Mexican Claims Commission
that has been sitting in Washington
since December, 1869. This Com
mission was established by what is
known as the "Treaty Of Washing
tom" entered into by Secretary Of
State Seward and Minister Matias
Romero, and its business was declared
to be to examine and decide accord
ing to "pubIiclaw, equity and justice,
all claims for damages against either
the Mexican or American Republic,
incurred since Feb. 2, lS48." The
treaty provided that the Commission
should sit in the City of Washing
ton, should receive applications for
damages only in written form, and
hear no claimant or his attorney
orally, and that each government
should have four months after the
presentation OF any claim to make
reply through its legal agent; that
no claims should be received for con-
siderati0n after June 80, 1870; and
that the Commission itself should
expire in 1872. The Commission is
composed Of two members, having
absolute authority to vote away the
treasures of their two governments.
The Commissioners are, on the part
Of Mexico, Francisco Gomez Palacio,
and on the part of the United States,
w. II. Wadsworth, of Maysvillo,
Kentucky. They must agree, to
make any decision good, or, disagree,
to appoint an umpire. This umpire
is DR.. Francis Lieber, of New York.
Mr.. Wadsworth is paid by his gov
eminent 81, 500 a year. Mr.. Palacio
is paid $4,000, gold, year. The
attorney of the Mexican government,
Caleb Cushing. is reported to receive
u fee Of s20, 600 a year. The Amerl-
can agent, J. HUXLEY Ashton, is paid
$1,000 ayear. Excepting the salaries
of the Mexican Commissioner, trans
lator, secretary, and clerk, the Office
expenses ofthe Commission, amount
Ing TO $1,000 week, are settled by
the United States, out of courtesy, as
the Commission is sitting at our cap
ital. Five per cent. of all claims
allowed Is confiscated to pay the
expenses Of the Commission.
Before the publication of thistreaty
but few persons had made claims on
either side, but since its appearance
work has been plentiful and the de-
Iaands enormous. The claims now
number 1914, representing nearly
sG00, 200, 900, and there are hundreds
Of other claims being brought for
ward, but it Is to be hoped that the
doors are tightly closed. The claims
Of the Mexicans are for Indian dep
relations, the sacking Of villages,
the depredations of the United States
troops along the border during the
war of the rebellion, etc. The Amer
lean claims are for false imprison-
ment, appropriation Of private
property to military use, confiscation
Of property by the troops of the con-
federacy, robbery by bandits, and so
on. OF course the Commission has
not got very far in Its investigations
into these claims. 1t will take years
to finish up the job, but it is hope
full sign that thus far nota single one
has been allowed. While it is Of
course right that all just demands
shall be recognized, it speaks worlds
for the honesty Of the Commission
that searching examination is in
stltuted and that mere adventures
are snubbed. The Commission has
unlimited power upon the Treasury
In the premises, but thus far 1t seems
that these members are acting pru-
IDENTIFY and with the true interests OF
the respective governments at heart.
Thus may they continue to the end,
IL the wish Of all tax payers. =
Prairie Farmer.