The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-10-25
WASHING TON.
Business Before the British-American
Claims Commission.
An Early Settlement Of Claims
Impossible.
The Case OF the Steamer Hornet Under Con-,
sidefation BY the Cabinet,
WASHINGTON, s,ct. u ay7l,

British Claims Against the UEAted States.
The British American Claims Commission begin
sheir labOrs on the 5th proxlmo, anu an examina-
non OF their Rules OF Procedure coupled with the
amount OF business that is known to be awaiting
shem on the British side Of the house, justify the
assertion OF attorneys and claim agents that these
gentlemen Commissioners have life contract on
theIr bands and that the city or London Will have
TO get new Recorder, or put up for an indefinite
period with nominal one three thousand miles
away. The existence OF the Commission
is limited by the Treaty OF Washington to
two years but the necessity OF O
prolongation Of that term will compel the two gov.
ernments to extend II before IL has legally ex-
pred. The Southern Claims Commission which Is
charged with the investigation OF the very class
oil CLAIMS that Will comprise o majority OF those
coming before this International tribunal has also
aduratson OF two years assigned to 1t by law; but
though by their simpler methods OF business those
Commissioners will be able TO adjudicate claims at
rate tenfod greater, they have already ten years.
business on their decker, with but little
falliag on in the number OF claims daily
0led before them The rules OF the new
Com mission are IN many respects assimilated
10 those OF the Southern Commission, but
their proceedings VIII necessarily be attended with
much greater expense and delAv TO the govern
mcnts and TO parties. The nrst rule like that of
CLAIM TO be explicitly stated III q memorial ad-
dressed TO the mixed Commission, this being for
The double purpose OF saving TO the Commissioners
and agents the arduous labor of examining the
great mass OF papers that have accumulated since
1851 In the archives OF The state Department
British Foreign Office ana the legations and
OF preventing claimants from caprlclous en-
iargcment OF their claims according to their
ability TO pile up their losses and DAM
ona Avta <h4tr Tf,xr
the meaning Of the cable despatch the other day. in
which it was said Mr.. Howard had been instructed
mot TO present any OF those claims until the claim
ant has filed at the ONCE Of the Commissioners ap-
pointed under the Treaty Of Washington the formal
statement OF the claim required by the first OF the
rules adopted by the Commission" Claims filed IN
1901 viii, according to this ruling be In no better
position so far early consideration Is concerned
than the ones last filed, the Commission taking up
only such as are presented In proper form.
The Case of the steamer Hornet.
The Cabinet session to-day was brief. The subject
Of the recapture Of the schooner Horton was not
mentioned. There was, however, a conversation
In relation TO the Hornet, VIII ich 1t appeared from
the official report, was, at the last advices the
harbor OF Port an Prince, menaced by Spanish
war steamer which intenued to capture her. Our
government susta1ns the course OF Minister Bassett
In his complaint to the Hayden government OF this
OIcacu Oh neutral Il2nCS ana mas, through the sec.
rotary Of State, informed the Spanish Minister Mr.
Roberts, OF its views upon the subject. Whatever
OFFENCE the Hornet may have committed after she
had given bonds TO the United States Is considered
question to be settled 10y the authorities OF this
country on the proper proofs especially she car
ries the American nag, and therefore possesses a
national character The government sees no neces-
glty Tor the OF force the entire matter Is u-
dergolng peaceabe adjustment.
Mormon Women PeIiiiOning for the suppress.
sion Of Polysamy.
petition was received at the Executive Man.
si0n to-day, fifty feet long, and signed by the women
OF Utah. protesting against polygamy and urgiug
effective measures 10 suppress Its practice that
Territory.
ConsoIidn ton OF New York Pension Agencies.
By direction OF the President the two pension
agencies heretofore IN operation in New York city
for payment OF pensions 10 invalids and for pay.
ments 10 widows and depe ndants have been consol.
1dated INTO one agency, under tie charge OF L. L.
D0ty G. NJ. Van Burethe resigning. The effect of
the consolidation Will be the saving TO the govern
Nent OF one salary OF $4,000 per year.
Payment of the November Interest.
The Treasury Department VIII tomorrow COM
mence the payment Of the November interest with.
out rebate.
Value Of the British Postal Treaty.
To show the value OF the Postal Treaty recently
negotiated between the United States and Great
Britain IT may be stated thar during the first week
OF its operation $500 So was sent from the wash
tngtOn office TO Great Britain ana that 49, 326 70
was received at the same Office from Great Britain.