Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1872-08-29
HOME NEWS.

NEW YoRK, August 29.-The Herald
saws editorially. it is reported on good
authority, that Mr.. Charles O'Conor. has
addressed a letter to the Louisville Cons
vention of straight Outs" prohibiting
the use of his name by them for the Pres
idency or any other Office. Mr.. OConor
states that the fee simple of the world
would not induce him to accept the NOM
nation.
The Sun says Charles O'Conor, in an
interview with James McKenna, who
asked him if he would become a candidate
of the Democrats and Liberals for Gov
ernor of the State, said he did not seek
the nomination. but if nominated would
accept.
A dispatch from Louisville states
that Blanton Duncan says he never had a
claim of $4,000 against the government
nor a claim for a dollar, and if he had it
could not be collected, as he was not par
doned as a rebel until October, 1866.
Rev. Hugh S. Brown, al noted Baptist
preacher of Liverpool, arrived in the stea-
mer Spain, this morning, and preached
to an immense audience In the Hanson
Place Baptist Church, Brooklyn, this
evening.
WASHINGTON, August 29.-The ag-
gregate number of claims presented to
the Southern Claims Commission thus
far, is estimated at 10000, ranging from
twelve dollars to $35O,000,a and averaging
$4,000 each. The Commission have
finally reported on $50 cases, in which
81, 600, 900 we're claimed. About $50 of
them were rejected, principally for abb
sence of proofs of loyalty, and for the re-
naming $50 cases, Congress, on the re
commentator of the Commission, appro-
priated $35O,OO0. The money having
since been paid. with the exception OF
$4,000, which was stopped through the
reports of special agents who were en-
ployed after the general report of the
Commission had been made to Congress,
and who discovered reasons for withhold
ing this amount iu three or four cases
firm Virginia.
The Commissioners, three in number,
now absent from Washington, have under
examination 500 claims apiece, upon
which they will report at their next meet
ing, in October, when an additional 500
other cases will also be decided. The
Commission will, according to the terms OF
the law creating it, expire on the Sd of
March next. and six years will be con-
sumed in transacting the business now on
hand. Under the bureau system. such as
prevails in the department, fifty years
would be required for this purpose. The
rapidity of transacting the business of the
Commission is unprecedent, there being
one chief clerk and only four assistants.
This expedition is principally due to the
fact that but few fornlalities are observed
and voluminous books are dispensed with.
The expenses to claimants are SMALL
Thes. are in office fees, exception for tax
Jog testimony, and the lowest charge is
made for claims under ST. 900. Informa-
ton has been received that agents in the
South are collecting claims of persons
whose property was taken for public uses
or destroyed to facilitate military ope'
r~ations, but-.who cannot prove loyalty
owing to their giving aid and comfort to
the Confederates. These agents are
acting upon the superstition that Congress
will ultimately dispense with the loyalty
clause. The unit of such claims IL
already large.