Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1873-04-11
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
MIR. CIagetf and the Indian WAR
Claims.
WAsHINuTox. ID. c..
MARCH %. 1873.

u H
March %. 1873.
Editor Arnnt CesaTes's
We see from the Helena papers Of recent
date, tllat an attempt Is matte to belittle the
services IF Mr.. Cla9ett in passing the law
for the payment OF tile Montana War Claims
by one OF those papers while the other de
Dies 70 him all credit whatever therefor and
attributes its passage and the subsequent
obtaining OF the necessary appropriations to
other influences. Being the owners oil about
one@tittl Of the entire claims, ard having
been present at he Capito! during the whole
OF the last two sessions of Congress, trying
to secure their payment. We ere thoroughly
conversanl with the whole of The history OF
OF the legislation which his recently been
obtained. 1t would take quire OF paper to
describe even briefly the innrmerabe diff
entities. and ups and downs oil that measure.
AT every step of lis progress it was most
bitterly contested both in the House and
Senate. The principal opposition howe yer
Came from the House. and Tor long time it
was nor than doubtful whether we could
even get favorable report from the House
Committee on Military Affairs. This report
was finally obtained, principally BY tile argu-
meiits and testimony of Mr. CIagett. FROM
that day to the close of the last session Oh
Congress, he was interchangeable III urging the
passage OF the bill, and in securing the an
preparation. The columns OF the Globe will
show to some extent tile part taken BY him
when the bill came up Tor discussion. riiere
was q hard and desperate struggle over it for
two days and we thought several times that
nc would be defeated. 1t was complicated
with questions relating to a large amount Ut
claim> from tile South tor the rei;l,dinp OF
the cotton tax, and in this complication Mr.
Holman succeeded III getting AN amendment
added to the bill prohibiting payment OF any
money TO any one except tile original holders
Of the vouchers. This amendnlent was nee
essary to get the bill reported from the
COMMITTEE or the Whole. When it was being
debated and before tile House for action. 4
great nlaJorits of the friends Of the bill who
were opposed to the payment of the Cotton
claims supported 1t. 10 gain the support OF
these mcn for the bill Mr.. CIagett accepted
the amendment. BY SO doing the passage
OF the bill was secured in the House.
lie then had the amendment stricken
OUT in the Senate, aud this Senate amendment
was concurred in by the House, when acting
under suspension OF The rules, which cut
Off debate and fili1usteringe
The labor necessary to secure the passage
Of contested bill through bott, Houses OF
Congress, is little understood by those who
have not had an opportunity to witness t.
Not tne4tenth of this labor even appears in
he Globe ia ordinary cases, aud iii tie pass
age OF tbs 6stt, not oile-fiitieth OF it SO
lppeass.
Had it not been for tile untiring efforts 81
VIZ. Clagett this bi n1ight lot have become.
law at the last session, and on account OF i
ne bad name which tile claims had wifi, |
many, and the lapse OF time since they orig |
nally arose. which sill further affected their
rputation, Il Is our opinion that had the bill /
or their payment not pas ed at the late ses-
ION It would probably never have passed
ereafter. Believing that when a puhlie
fiicer does his whole duty he should receive
all credit therefor. we voluntarily write thIs
'rlef statement OF facts.
j.. NJ. BLACK.
nj. III IN5LEY.