The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-05-20
The Border Claims Bill.

Several acts of the Legislature have been
passed baving in view the adjudication OF
the claims for damages sustained by citizens
of the counties of York. Adams, Cumberland,
Perry, Franklin, Fulton, and Bedford, re-
smiling from The rebel invasion of the south
eastern portion Of the State. 1t has been
ascertalued that these claims amount in the
aggregate to about 81. 800 900. The ques-
ton to be determined is this: Is the State
liable for the payment of the damages in the
FIRST instance, OF the amount Of the claims
having been first ascertained, must not the
State, through the Governor, demand pay
raent from the general government. In the
legislation heretofore en- this subject, the
liability of the State has been repuGasted.
A short time ago the Senate passed bill.
which. if it did not in exp ress terms commit
the State to their payment. might }ustiy be
regarded as fair commencement to accom-
plish that result in the future. The House
struck out this section of the Senate bill and
amended it by inserting another in which
the liability of the State was expressly de-
uied, and authorizing the Governor to press
their payment by the United States. The
Senate appointed committee Of conference.
bat the House refusing to DO so. the sTli was
thereby defeated. It seems 10 be generally
conceded. and the action Of the Leg islaturs
copfessss it, that these claims ought on every
principle of justice to be paid. and the sole
difficulty arises as to which government. the
State or National. shall liquidase them. a
great deal might be said On both sides Of
The question, but we do not now propose TO
Giscuss X. After the BILL had been dsfsate9
in the House. in the manner we ma re stated,
the irrepressibls Gsary. who, like Wilkins
TO turn up to promote bis President tial aspi-
Tations. cane 10 It's rescue aud sent a special
message to the Legislature urging the pas
sage Of the House bill, which ignores al
State responsibility. It is little singular
that in NOPE Of bis four annual messages has
8eary ever before referred to the payment
OF these claims HIS overflowin2 sympathy
FOR the border ssferers was after thought,
and was sRly officially expressed at a time
and under circumstances when he knew IL
wou'id BE- ma railing. He is on she record.
nowsrer. ~ Asoring the payment Of The
elaims by tbs general government. and that
IS an he desires, even If payment Is pest
poned antIl the faes Of March.
P. s. Since the foregoing article was PHt
In tyne. a TesDiaticn vss intyoducsf In the
Eeusse anf adopted, requesting she House to
return the bill 90 the ioy1sT bo6y EDr Srread-
meat. Goutrsry 10 general belief. the House
seSp6sd With the request, and the Senate
Substituted new sestiOR in lieu OF The secozJ
sestfeo ess ths Eouse b1f- Bhieh Sas sgrsed 70
By shs Hoase without 6isccssDB The bin
as p&ssed provides for a rsvisioa OE AL the
sSssans snd tke EssaiBg of certificates signed
sy ssaa tS.sssEes<Aae Seate Treasurer zni
epaaksszfyoa4f end Esgs szrad by tAs ASshssr
esscsraz- ssasseg .ax sas93as o. @xi5E3iezted
Sjaiusa: Tia usstLE:ssss bs;sg Yzy%sE Ia onfy
'Rhsatha En5ssi States sEsaiT pap sad elssrcss.
sshs rszlsfna OF shs alaazs q &c so rsss7s zzase~
x&s d,taetyoz as ths; gessass aE no eegesaE
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