Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-02-03
TELEGRAPHIC..
DISPATCHES re THE Gsx#Tr".
FROM WASHINGTON.
CDNGR ESS.


WASHINGTON. Feb. In the Senate
number Of uninl,ortant resolution" and rr"rtS
were presented.
The bill authorizing the construction I'll
bridge across the Missouri river nj Omaha. WAS
then taken up and discussed.
The House Of Representatives was engaged
in discussing private land bills.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Committee on Appropriations had the
subject Of the Chain bridge before them this
morning. Mr.. Mckenzie appeared anu advo-
Gated the erection of an iron bridge costing
$50. 900 at that point No action was taken
by the committee
The following is the text of the HOUSE bill 10
provide a board Of commissioners Tor The cx-
animation Of the claims Of Southern people
BrH r,larict &c That the President of the
United States shall be, and he is hereby, au-
thorizcd to nominate, and by and with the al,
vice and consent of the Senate. appoint 4 board
OF commissioners to be dcsi gnated as commits
sioners Of claims to consist Of three commits
sioners, not residents Of States lately in rebellion
and who shall be commissioned for two years
and whose duty it shall be to receive. examine
and consider the justice and validity of such
claims as shall be brought before them, Oft those
citizens of States lately in rebellion who re-
manned loyal adherents to the cause and the
Government of the United States during the
war, for store; or supplies taken or furnished
during the rebellion for the Use Of the Army
including the Use and loss of boats while EN-
ployed in the military service of the United
States And the said commissioners in con-
siderng sud claims shall be satisfied from the
testimony Of witnesses under oath, or from
other sufficient evidence, which shall accom-
pany each claim, Of the loyalty and adherence
ofthe claimant to the cause and the Govern
ment of the United States before and at the
time Of the taking or furnishing of the proper
ty for which any claim shall be made and of
the quantity, quality, and value ofthe proper
ty alleged to have been taken or furnished, and
the time 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 in each case,
and shall certify the amount and value Of the
property taken, furnished, or used as aforesaid.
And each claim which shall be considered, and
rejected as unjust and invalid, shall likewise be
reported with the reasons therefore and no
claimant shall withdraw any meteria cvide nee
submitted in support of any claim.
Sec O. And be 1t further enacted, That said
commissioners shall each take the oath Of Office
provided by law to be taken by allofficers of the
United States, and shall proceed without delay
to discharge their duties under this act. The
President Of the Z. S. shall designation his APP
Dointment one Of said commissioners to be presl
dent of the board and shall be authorized tof any
vacancy which may occur by reason OF death or
in ail boorN. and aapb rom mission
er shall have authority to administer oaths and
atfrmations, and to take the dispositions Of wit
nesses in all matters pertaining to their duties.
The said commissioners shall meet and organize
said board and hold their sessions at Washing
ton, and shall have authority to adjourn to meet
for 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 4
quorum for the transaction Of business, and the
agreement Of two shall decide all questions in
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 i'll any
town county, city, or State. They shall keep
journal Of their proceeding, TO be signed by
the president Of the board, and a register of all
claims brought before the board showing the
date of presentation, number, name, and resi-
dence Of claimant. subject matter, and amount
of claim aud the amount, if 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.
SIC :. :lnd bcH Jurther c"ucied, That said
commissioners shall make report Of their pro-
ceedings, 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 any
department of the Government without further
authority of Congress.
SEC. I. and he 1t further enacted, That the
commissioners Of claims shall be paid, under
this act at the rate of five thousand dollars per
annum each. and they shall have authority to
appoint one clerk and one short hand reporter,
to be paid at the rate of two thousand five hull
drcd dollars per annun each. and one messenger
to be paid at the rate of one thousand two hun
dred dollars per annum. who shall accompany
the board and perform the services required of
them respectively and said board shall be
further allowed the necessary and actual eXpen-
ses of transportion Of its members and cmplo
wees. and office rent furniture fuel. stationary,
and printing, to be certified by the president OF
the board, and to be audited on vouchers. and
paid as other judicial expenses are.
SEC. j. ind br II farther enacted, That Il
sufficient appropriation Of money, to carry this
act into effect is hereby made out Of any money
in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated.
FOREIGN NEWS.