The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-03-31
OUR HARRISBURG LETTER.

Deadlock.
From our 0iUn Correspondent
HARRISBURG, March 80, 1871
The question of the liquidation OF the border war
claims is now being considered by special COM
mittee OF the Senate, consisting OF able men as
either party can furnish in the body. With White
and Conne from the Republican side, and Bucka-
lew and Dlll from the Democratic side to investl-
gate and report on the subject the public will feel
assured that the Issue must be faithfully and most
ably presented.
Last winter this measure incurred just odium be-
OF the efforts OF certain parties, supposed to
be purchasers Of claims, to force their payment by
the State. The failure was as signal as 1t was just.
This year the people Of Chambersburg have memo
ralized the Legislature to consider the question and
to afford them such relief justice to themselves
and to the Commonwealth requires. They did not
appeal to the lobby, did they ask for payment
They do not claim that the State is properly liable
for these losses They acquit the State OF all neglect
n providing for their defense. They say that the
State assumed TO defend them, and appropriated an
aggregate OF S7,250,00O for the purpose, much
more than was actually needed, and that
1t organized ample forces for their
protection. But they show that just when they
were most exposed to incursions by the enemy the
defeat OF the national troops at Bull Run in 1884,
and in the valley in 1864, made it necessary for
Pennsylvania to give her defensive troops in addition
to her regular quotas already filed to save Mcdowell
and Hunter, and Chambersburg was burned and
the border counties desoated thereby. They urge
because responsible for the consequences OF its
own acts. and that the recent action of Congress
fairly embraces these claims within the limits OF its
national ability for war damages.
In the argument before the committee by Judge
Black and Colonel Mcclure, which was heard by
very large numbers Of member, the position OF the
claimants was distinctly defined as desiring the most
searching rc.eXamination OF the claims, and the
defeat OF all possible speculation in them. They
asked the committee to select their own way Of re-
ondf IN ndn Gnph will
most effectually guard against fraud speculation.
On this point Colonel Mcclure was very emphatic.
He said :-"It is the general desire of the
claimants that, however the committee may
differ as to the proper measure to be
adopted they shall be able to unite In testiyng that
wrong, either to the Government or people, had no
apologists amongst those who were pressing the
measure" He urged that In the revision there
should be power to reduce or reject claims but none
to increase and that assigned or purchased claims
should be most carefully scrutinized, and the as
signee or purchaser be required prove satsfacto
rily what was actually paid for the claim and the
award be limited to that sum. He asked also that
where such proof was not given the claim should be
rejected.
1t seems to he the general conviction Of the ablest
and best men OF the Legislature that the General
Government il unquestionably liable for these
claims. Mr. Buckalew declared in the Senate, in
discussing the motion to refer the memorial, that
the facts made out clear and incontestabe case
against the national authorities for payment and
General White intmated very strongly that such
was his opinion. 1t is reasonably certain that the
special committee will be unanimous in testifying
the integrity OF whatever measure the majority may
propose, and also unanimous in liking the legal and
moral responsibility for these losses upon the Gene
raj Government The report, reports will, there
fore, place this question on basis that will COM
mand the respect and careful deberaton Of all fair
minded men,
What measure the committee will report is of
mot nwn hut ia arta af tbar in
creased taXaon, debt, or payment will be proposed.
The claimants ask that their own taxes snail be
applied 10 their losses which would about pay in-
terest on them, and the State thus become the
owner OF the claims, to make demand, in her own
name and power, upon the General Gov
ernment for payment, as did Massachusetts, Mary
land and other States, after the war OF 1872 1t is
conceded generally that, while thousands OF indi-
yidual claimants cannot press their claims success
fully before Congress, the State could do so, and
thus to the border people restitution for their
extraordinary losses, without any sacrifice by the
Commonwealth. In addition to securing the pay
men OF the claims the State would be justly entitled
to be repaid by Congress the $1,000 already voted
to Chambersburg, that appropriation is credited
on the claims.
The committee will report next week. Whatever
1t may propose it is certain that there will be no
odor OF corruption or of the lobby about it, will
there be any attempt to raid upon the treasury for
the bene1t OF speculatoTs.
Tie great struggle between the miners and opera
tors was brought to close tonight by an able and
exhaustive argument by Hon. l.. w. Hall. Pres-
dent Gowen, OF the Reading Railroad Company, had
previously presented the arguments in support of
the position taken by the operators with marked
skill and ability; and it is conceded that the whole
issue has been so thoroughly investigated and elu-
cidaed that all the great principles involved will be
settled for all time What action the Legislature
will take is yet uncertain but IL is acknowledged
that the miners are not as strong tonight as they
were at the beginning OF the controversy here.
The public buildings question has been one OF the
great topics OF the week. The large and highly re-
spectacle delegation appointed to demolish the
Buildings Commission before the Legislature has
come, has spoken, and has gone, and 1t is only the
truth that they have not made any impression
against the existing commission. The most OF the
delegation want Independence Square for the build
ings and the Legislature is unalterabe in its hos
tiity to any such measure. Others manifestly want
no buildings at ALL and with that sentiment there
is no sympathy here, for the necessity for new
buildings is admitted by every far-minded man.
venture the prediction that the repeal bill will fail,
and Mr.. COnnell's bill, its main provisions, eyentu-
ally become q law.
There is deadlock now In the Senate. The
Democrats have resolved in caucus that no Senate
bills shall pass the Senate until the apportionment is
disposed OF, and the Republican Senators have
agreed in caucus that there shall be pairing
with DemocIats on any question. This requires
every Democrat to continue in his seat whether sick
or well, and it is believed that it will scken the ma
jority at an early day. 1t Is believed now that a
compromise apportionment will be agreed upon
within week ten days, and So the rest OF the
business will be hurried through.