New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-01-30

TUESDAY, JANUARY 3o 1872
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.

LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
southern Clnims COmmi.siOn-The Col
| Ored Mems COnvention-Impeach
| ofJudges-suppleme:t Funded Loan
| Act-Steamboat Convention.
Especial Correspondence of the Republican,
| WASHINGTON, January 3D. 1877.
| SOUTHERN CLAIMS COMMISSION.
| There are recent developments, relative
to the object Of the Southern Claims Com
mission. which are calculated to dampen
the ardor of Southern lOyalists seeking pay
ment for their property used by the govern
ment during the war. 1t leaks out, through
members of the House friendly to the ad-
mnistration, that in authorizing this com
mission their purpose was simply to defer
very ugly question, which they could not
then, with safety to the administration, de-
eide either way; that. when the commission
make their full report, no further action
will be taken looking to the payment of the
CLAIMS.
Before the organization of this commits
sion number of claims of Southern 10y
alists were paid by Congress, which en-
couraged other claimants to file. The con-
! sequence was that claims were presented in
such numbers that it became impossible
| for the Senate and House committees to
pass upon them, and so the commission
was authorized but for purpose far short
of what was made to appear. Congress, or
the administration party in Congress, saw
| nv,c hova nv,Ih hv-
encouraging the filing Of claims aimed
solely to ascertain the amount involved, so
that 1t might be represented to the people
| as enormous in order to get their warrant
| for reInldiating the entire class. They
| saw, however, that if the Southern votes
| should become necessary in the approach
| ing Presidential campaign it might be made
| convenient to pay the claims. The anti
administration members of the Republican
party, however, favor the payment Of the
just demands of loyal Southerners, while
their opponents of the same party trihe
the rights of these people, howsoever it
may subscrve the interests of their clique.
On the part of the commissioners ap-
pointed, there was at the outset SO
much prejudice against these claimants
that it became rule with them 10 reject
the testimony of Que claimant in favor of
another, upon the supposition that it was a
'.put Mp Job" They refused even to admit
evidence of loyalty that was sufficient to
satisfy the departments. This prejudice,
from recent and overwhelming evidence
has been entirely removed, and the commits
sioners are at pains to publish the fact of
their present favor toward claimants. But
there are several aspects of the case. One
is, of course, their fear that the commission
will be abolished because of the opposition
aroused by their prejudice. This would be
a misfortune 10 them quite worthy of plot
ting against, for it would deprive them of
very comfortable salaries, had for little
more than the reaching after.
THE CoLORED MEMS CONVENTION.
The political leaders among the colored
people are actively engaged in measures
looking to the recognition of their delegates
in the next Republican convention for the
nomination of President. Several delega-
tions of colored representatives have re-
Gently applied to President Grant for the
purpose of ascertaining what his future
policy toward their race would likely be.
His replies to their interrog atoies were far
from satisfactory to them. Other differ
ences now existing between the Repub
lcan divisions in Congress have contributed
r., f0ai cf.. afa do.
velopments seem to show that it is the pur-
pose of the convention of colo red men,
which will assemble in New Orleans in
April, to place Charles Sumner at the head
of the Republican ticket as their candidate
for the next Presidential term. In case Mr.
Summers supplementary civil rights bill be
comes law they will abandon this course.
If it is passed, even in injunction with the
general amnesty bill, they will be satisfied;
otherwise they threaten to oppose the lat
ter and to throw their entire weight against
President Grant in the approaching con-
test This pelicy has been chosen by those
who exert a controlling influence over the
delegates of the adjourned Columbia, South
Carolina. convention.
IEPEACHMEST OF JUDGES FIELD AND HOFF-
The effort ON the part Of w iliam Hast
ings, Of California, to procure the impeach-
ment of Judge Fields, one Of the Associate
Justices of the Supreme Court, and Ogden
Hoffman, Judge Of the United States Dis
trict Court of California, has resulted in
disclosures that attach no slight Importance
to the case, and, as still more impOrtont
developments are expected, indeed have
been foreshadowed as likely to effect poll
tics, in exposing the connection of the Brit
ish government and foreign capitalists with
both Of our great political parties, a short
account Of the proceedings deserves some
space in public print.
1t may be remembered that two years
ago the petitions Of Mr.. Hastings were
presented in the House Of representatives.
and referred to the Committee on the
judiciary. Because the allegations con
tanned in them were of a general character,
and not supported Immediately by proof,
no action was taken by the committee. Mr..
Hastings, called to Europe on important
business in this relation, allowed the case
to sleep until the reassembling of Congress
after the holidays, when his petitions were
called up, and again referred to that com
mittee. The charges filed against Judge
Fields are, in short, that he SO conducted
himself in California as TO aculIire the rpnn-