New-York tribune., 1873-02-15

TION-AMENDMENTs OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
IN Favor OF INSURANCE COMPANIES.
lBY TBLRGRAPH TO THB TRIBUNK
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14-The bill to distribute
the award of the Geneva Conference came up in the
House to-day. the special order and was explained
and advocated by Gen. Butler. Mr. Peters offered
amendment providing that the interest on the claims
allowed shall be from the date Of the losses instead Of
from the date of the award provided in the bill Gen.
Butler estimated that It would take about si4cOoOO in
currency pay the claims admitted by the bill, pro-
vidng interest allowed from the date Of the award
only. AS the amount of the award sl5.5oOOcO in
gOld this would leave surplus OF about 100000 in
currency be covered into the Treasury. Gen Butler
opposed the Senate BILL and said that IL a tribunal
constituted in Washington TO pass upon all
the claims large portion OF the award would find its
way into the hands Of claim agents Besides. the small
claimants particularly sailors and masters OF vessels
who suffered losses OF from 500 to $1,000 would not be
able prosecute their and would abandon them
Gen Butler discussed the claims of the insurance
panies length and maintained that they had paid
only 100000 account Of losses occasoned by the
Rebel cruisers while they got back &c 10000 in extra war
premiums. He held that only those companies that
could show that their losses actually nexcess Of the
dremums they received entitled to participate in the
award Mr. Poland offered substitute for the bill 1t pro-
vdes that the Attorney SHALL within GO days after
the payment OF the award he bill in equity in Circuit
Court be designated by the President, setting forth
the amount claimed by the Government and the
grounds Of such claim and notifying TO all persons and
corporations Having claims fled in the State Depart
against the award appear defendants IN such
court and make good their claims II they fail 70 do so
within six months the fling of the bill they 70 be
forever barred. An appeal may be taken 70 the sal
preme Court by either the United states the claim
ants in cases involving than 5000 The Circuit
Court in aoyng or disaIowng costs, and it's adudica
tions, is be governed by the rules and principles
established in courts equity. Claims in favor OF the
United states are TO have priority ana 20 De hrs PAID
II the claims fled exceed in amount the award none
are 20 be paid until ali are adiudcaed ana the ludg
exceed the award the United states Is 10 be PAID
first and the balance distributed pro rata .
Potter spoke in favor Of admitting the claims OF
the insurance companies and maintained that the und
t ned the proper ground of claim
against Great Britain and that Congress has no right 70
prescribe rules determining what class Of claims shall
be entertained 10y the courts.
printed pamphlet containing the argument mad, made
before the Judiciary Committee, by David Dudley teld
Company OF New-YOrk laid upon the desks Of the
members before the debate began. This argument
IS an exhausuye @ statement OF 5o Ine sfoqhGs sfpi
surance vessels destroyed by the three Rebel cruisers
without deductions on account OF premiums received by
them. tt holds that the award not made 10 the /
Is NV bo had fred an Ioss If aSvoeates method of
adjusting the similar that provided by the Po
land substitute for the bill. and protests agalDst Con
ress prescribing rules 10 regulate the action
in distributing the award A counter argument IN the 4
form Of printed 1rlef signed by caleb cushing wa
also ald upon the desks OF all the members 1lis bet
maintains that the ward was made expressly 70 the /
United States. and that the Government is /
not committed any theory of distribution. but that |
the history the Treaty and the arbitration show that
il was the intention the Government % exercise its
discretion in distribution OF the award among It's
citizens who actual losers. whether owners. mar
iners insurers, payers Of premiums IL claims that
the doctrine OF subTOgaOn between assurer and as
sred does control the action OF the United states IN
distributing indemnities and that IL the intention
OF the Government 10 recognize any right of subrO
slider them only far they actually losers on
the whole bv the cruisers OF the COnfeGcraes.
The Hon. Wm. NJ. Evarts and David Dudley Field oe- /
cupied the floor during the debate. The bill
went until tomorrow. with the understanding tat
the previous question shall be called at O'Clock. II
Will PROBABLY pass without amendment The feeling
quite strong against allowing insurance companies 0
have part the award. except such prove tbat
thew not reimbursed FOR their losses by their war
premiums The interest question is very important
one. II interest the awarded be computed
from OF the losses viii amount 70 auOut hali
as much as tine principal the claims. II Is urged hat
the Tribunal the award bv taking the American
estimate OF supposed damages OF S4SiO anu the En-
giish estimate OF supposed damages Tor EOl4OO0 ana !
splitting difference arrive at the arbitrary
sum of SlOgn5 900 the capital which, with interest
added males tie 55O00O0 Of the award, aud haI as IN
rest was computed by the arbratOrs from the date OF
HE losses the claimants have the right 70 receive H.
Tn interest question the insurance question, and the
character OF tribunal 20 determine the claims, were
the chief points OF difference developed by the debate
to-day.