Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-03-09

WAR CLAnIs-Among the proceedings Of
the House of Representatives yesterday, as re-
ported in the Globe Of this morning, occurs the
following:
Mr. Eldredge reported back House joint
resolution No. 49, for the reief of James i.
,Johuston, with the recommendation that it do
pass.
The Joint resolution, which was read, en-
powers and directs the Secretary of the Treas
ury, out of any money not otherwise approprl.
ared by law, to pay to James L. Johnston OF
Alexandria, Virginia, without interest, the
proceeds of the sale for taxes due, to the Unl.
TED States of lot No. lG33, on Prince street,
Alexandria, Virginia. less all taxes, COSTS and
legal charges; said sale having been made by
the tax commissioners of the United States
under the laws for the collection OF direct
taxes.
Mr.. Hoar raise the point Of order that
this makes an appropriation, and should have
its first consideration in Committee Of Whole.
Mr.. Eldredge feel assured that the gen
tleman will not insist on the point of order
when he knows what the facts Of the case are.
When I have stated them very briefly think
he will admit that the bill is very just one.
was about to suggest that it be amended, so
as to make it bill instead Of joint resolution.
This bill was recommended by the Judiciary
Committee of the last Congress unanimously.
1t passed the House, | believe, and failed tor
want of consideration in the Senate. The
members of the Judiciary Committee have ali
examined the questions involved 10 this case
and have united in the same report as was
agreed upon by the committee OF last Congress.
The facts are briefly these. This old gentle
man, James r. Johnston, a clergyman of the
Episcopal church, is now over seventy years OF
age He was patriotic during the entire war,
and argued in favor of the Union aud insisted
upon its indissolubity. He was forced by his
poverty to leave Alexandria just before that
city was taken possession OF by the Union
troops. He went to South Carolina, and from
there he made repeated applications to be per
mitted to come back within the Union lines,
but he failed for variety of reasons and CIR
cumstances in being allowed to return. While
he was gone his property, his house and lot
his homestead, was sold for S43 60 taxes:
Mr. Hoar. | will withdraw the point OF
order if the gentleman will dispense with max
ing the balance of his statement
Mr. Eidredge. am glad | have satisfied
the gentleman from Massachusetts,, Mr.. Hoar]
but am asked to state the case by some gen
tlemen near me. | had nearly concluded the
statement. His property, as have said, was
sold for S43. 90 taxes and the money covered
into the Treasury. There was provision for
the redemption of the property and he offered
to pay the taxes and costs, but the time for the
redemption had expired, and the officers did
not feel authorized under the law to receive
the money and restore to him what had been
paid in excess of taxes He now asks to have
paid to him the money which was paid into
the Treasury for the property sold, less the
taxes costs. and expenses That is the whole
case.
The Joint resolution having been changed
to bill (H. R. No. 1861 Tor the rellef OF
James r. Johnston, was ordered to be eugross-
cd and read a third tine and being eDgrossed,
it was accordingly read the third time, and
passed
Mr.. Eldredge moved to reconsider the vote
by which the bill was passed; and also moved
that the motion to reconsider be laid on the
table.
The latter motion was agreed to.