New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-03-06
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
More Impeachment-Spanish Claims Com.
miesiOn.

MORE IMPEACHMENT.
Mr. William Hastings will, in few days
publish pamphlet giving a history Of the
proceedings before the House Judiciary
Committee, in the matter of the impeach
ment of Judges Field and Hoffman. 1t will
show the difficulty experienced by him in
procuring hearing befbre that committee,
| the nature of the evidence offered to them,
and their summary and wrongful disposi-
ton Of the case, by reporting his memorials
back to the House with the recommends
ton that they lie on the table, and that the
committee be discharged from further
consideration of the subject. In addi-
| ton to the record evidence obtained from
| the General Land Office, proving conclu-
| sively that Associate Justice Field had in
| terested himself in California land claims
and had used the influence of his high posi-
! tion to control the action of the Interior De-
partment, there is other evidence of record
in that Office of still more damaging char
acter. Mr.. Hastings stated to the commit
tee the main points of this further proof,
and requested that they send for it but
they took no action whatever. The case is
this in 1867 the Commissioner of the Gen
eral Land Office submitted to the Secretary
of the Interior for confirmation under the
act of 1886 California selection upon coal
lands Mr.. Otto, then acting Secretary, re-
jected it. Judge Field telegraphed from
California to Commissioner Wilson asking
what had become of the State selection.
The latter informed him of the action Of Mr..
Otto. Field telegraphed back that on the
faith of Wilson's assurances he had ex-
pended $70,0O0 and that he (WilsOn) must
confirm over the Secretarys head. Wilson
then re-submitted the case to the Secretary,
stating that he did it at the instance of Hon.
Stephen J. Field, attorney for parties. The
acting secretary returned it, brusquely re-
fusing to recognize Field as an attorney,
whereupon Thomas Ewing, Jr., was sub
sttuted upon the record. Mr.. Hastings in
dicated the very spot where this evidence
could be found and stated to the commit
tee, further, that if they would examine the
private docket of the private land claims
division in the General Land Office. they
would discover Fields appearance, orally
and in writing. entered in almost all of the
important rancho cases. Now, in the face
of this. the whole subject was suddenly, and
to the utter surprise of all who knew the
damning character of the evidence sub
mitted. quietly and mysteriously buried.
And to make the csae appear stronger
against the committee, IL anything were
needed for that purpose. Mr.. Peters. of
Maine-not Judge Bingham, the chairman
of the committee-but Mr.. Peters. who in
the opinion of all present, acted as the
C ounselor of GOrham and the friend of
Field was the instrument of this outrage on
justice. 1t was Mr.. Peters who reported
the memorials back to the House. and
it was he who moved a reconsideration
of the vote by which the House agreed to
the recommendation of the committee,
which motion was voted for. when the
memorials were a second time voted to lie
on the table. Mr.. Peters thus drove an ex-
ira nail into the coffin of this measure to
prevent, as far as possible. its resurrection.
But there will be howl about his ears. We
mer Judge Bingham received $4,000 for
stumpng the State of California, and that
the money came from people closely con-
necte,l with Field. Gorham and the Pacific
Club. Now. if he does not wish to give rise
to all sorts OF eonjeetures damaging TO his
reputation, let him speak out and say why
the committee reported adversely to Mr..
Hastings memorials. Notwithstanding the
strong evidence offered in support of them.
Many people have their eyes on you, gentle
men. and this action of YOUR committee is
talked Of in circles that you little dream Of
SPANISH CLAIMS COMMISSION.
The Spanish and American claims com
mission for the settlement of the claims OF
citizens of the United States against the
government of Spain. now in session here,
have received about eighty-iive claims.
These are about oGe-half of all the claims on
this account, and others are being fled.
When all of them are submitted, the az
gregate amount involved will probably
reach 500 .00O. 900. None of them have been
decided by the commission, owing to the
backwardness on the part OF claimants in
furnishing evidence. Many of these wit
nesses are in the insurrectionarv army in
Cuba. and it is therefore difficult to procure
their testimony. The largest claim filed is
over 100000 in amount, and is made for
damages, and to recover the estate of
naturalized citizen of the United States,
confscated by the Spanish government on
the ground that such citizen had given aid
and comfort to the insurgents. OF the
others. the most important cases
are those OF seizures of American
vessels and cargoes. The Mary Lowell
was seized by Spanish war vessel near
Ragged island, which is owned by England.
on the suspicion that she was engaged in
transporting arms for the use of the insur-
gents. The main point of dispute in this
case is as to the distance from the island at
which the vessel was captured, the Spanish
government claiming that she was seized in
neutral waters, and the claimant insisting
that the seizure was made within British
waters. The settlement Of these claims
promises to be delayed for long time.
Much evidence is wanting, and few memo
rials have been filed in accordance with the
regulations of the commission. In the
meantime, the commissioners may enjoy
their leisure as best suits them. RAD.
We copy this special from the St. Louis
Democrat:
QUINCY Illinois February 2S.-Sheperd