Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-03-03
Bill TO pay Claims Of Southern 10y
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The following bill. the provisions Of which are
Of interest to many persons in this section
ofcountry, passed the House of RepreSent:t-
tives yesterday
Belt enacted de-, That the President of the
United States shall be, and he is hereby, au-
thorizcd to nominate, and by and with the
advice and consent of the Senate, appoint i
board of commissioners, 10 be designated as
commissioners of claims, to consist OF three
commissioners, not residents OF States lately III
rebellion and who shall be commissioned tor
two years, and whose duty it shall be to receive,
examine, and consider the justice and validity
of such claims Us shat be brought before them.
of citizens who remained loyal adherents to
the cause and the Government OF the United
States during the war, for stores or supplies
taken or furnished for the use of the army OF
the United States during the rebellion in States
proclaimed as in insurrectlon against the United
States including the Use and loss of vessels or
boats while employed in the military service
of the United Suites. And the said cummls-
sioners in considering said claims shall be salts
fed from the testimony Of witnesses under
oath. or from other sufficient evidence which
shall accompany each claim of the loyalty and
adherence of the claimant to the cause and the
Government Of the United States before and at
the time of the taking or furnishing ofthe prop
erty for which any claim shall be- made, and
of the quantity quality and value OF the property
alleged 10 have been taken orturnlshed, and the
tue place and material circumstances of the
taking or furnishing of the same. And upon
satisfactory evidence of the justice and validity
of any claim the commissioners shall report
their opinion in writing III each case, and shall
certify the nature amount and value of the prop
I'D M II n. "a
each claim which shall be considered, and re-
iected as unjust and invalid, shall likewise be
reported, with the reasons thereto for !; and no
claimant shall withdraw any material evidence
submitted in support Of any claim.
SEC. .. And JeH further enacted: That said
commissioners shall each take the oath Of Office
provided by law to be taken BY all officers Of
the United States. and shall proceed without
dclav to discharge thei~ duties under this act.
The President Of the United States shall desig-
nate in his appointment one Of said onmlsslon-
rrs TO be president Of the board, and shall be
authorized to fill any vacancy which may occur
hy reason Of death or resignation in said board
and each commissioner shall have authority to
administer oaths and afhrmatlons, and to take
| the dispositions of witnesses in all matters per
tanning to their duties. The said commission,
ers shall meet and organize SAID board; and hold
their sessions at Washington, and shall have
authority Ia adjourn to meet Tor the further
prosecution of their duties. at such times and
places. within the States lately in rebellion, as
they shall themselves appoint. Two members
of the board shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business and the agreement ct
two shall decide all questions i'll controversy.
The said commissioners shall have authority to
make and publish rules for their procedure; not
inconsistent with this act and shall publish
notice of their sessions in any town: county cty:
or State, They shall keep journal OF Their
proceedings. to be signed by the president OF
the board and register of all claims brought
before the board, showing the date Of presen-
tation. number. name. and residence OF claim.
ant. subject matter. and amount Of claim and
| the amount, it any allowed which records shall
be open to the inspection of the President and
Attorney General of the United States or Of
such officer as the President may designate.
SEC. 3. And Je 1t further enacted, That said
commissioners shall make report Of their pro-
ccediugs. and of each claim considered by them,
at the commencement of each session OF Con
gress. to the Speaker of the House OF Repre-
sentatives, who shall lay the same before
Congress for consideration and all claims
within this act and not presented to said board
shall be barred and shall not be entertained by
further authority of Congress.
SEC 4. Ind BE- it further enacted, That the
commissioners of claims shall be paid, under
this act, at the rate of five thousand dollars pei
annum each, and they shall have authority tt
appoint one clerk and one short hand reporter
to be paid at the rate of two thousand FIVE hun
dred dollars per annum each, and one messen
ger to be paid at the rate of one thousand two
hundred dollars per annum who shall accom-
pany the board and perform the services re
quired of them respectively; and said boart
shall be further allowed the necessary ane
actual expenses of transporton Of its member
and employees, and of Office rent, furniture
fuel, stationery, and printing, to be certified BY
the president of the board and to be audited
ON vouchers, and paid as other judicial ex
penSes are
SEC. 5. And be 1t further enuctrd, That
sufficient appropriation of money, to carry thi
act into effect, is hereby made out ofanny none!
in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated.
WASHINGTON ITEMS-The Medical Depart
ment of Columbia College had their annua