Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-03-03
WASHINGTON.
Shall DureIl be Permitted to Es-
cape?
Rumored Reaignation.

NEW DIRK, March "A washington
dispStch says letter from New Orleans
states that Judge Durell has forwarded his
resignation to trusted friend, to be ten
dered in the event of the judiciary Com
mittee of the House reporting articles of
Impeachment.
~ Boxes Of Investigation.
WASHINGTON, March 2.-The answer of
Gov. Shepherd to inquiries Of the Joint Sc
lect Committee TO investigate District of
Columbia affairs, were sent in 10 the Com
mittee to-day, together with twelve large
boxes containing about 1900 vouchers,
measurements and contracts of the Board of
Public Works.
The Supreme Court
resumed session to-day. The dinner to
Chief Justice Waite tonight Will be nu-
merously attended. The Supreme Court
room was crowded to-day, many expecting
the Chief Justice would be sworn in and
take his seat.
s<Disfending."
The Committee on Reform in the Civil
Service had before them to-day bill regu-
| lating the salaries in the Executive depart
ments and proposing an increase in the
salaries Of assistant secretaries and heads
of bureaus without distending those of
higher officers.
The outstanding legal tenders are $685.
100000.
Government Claims.
The bill introduced in the Senate by
Senator West, for the settlement of Terri
torial claims, provides that the Court of
Claims shall have sole jurisdiction of all
claims against the United States, brought
| by loyal pensioners for all classes of prop
erty, destroyed or occupied, used or taken
by the army or navy of United States, for
and in the service Of the United States !;
also, that all persons who have been re
stored in their rights of personal property,
after participation in the late rebellion, by
reason of any amnesty proclamation or
pardons by the President or freely resumed
their allegiance before the final ending of
war, are entitled to the benefit of the pro-
visions of this bill; also, that all claims
now pending before and undetermined by
the Southern Claims Commission, which
is abolished by this bill, or before the
| Quartermaster General, Commissary Gene
raj, Third Auditor of the Treasury, or
other executive departments of the govern
ment, shall be transferred, for adiucation,
TO the said Court of Claims who, after
| rendering judgment on the same, are re-
| quiT j to report TO Congress for its action
| thereon, although, either the United States
or the claimant can appeal, for final review,
to the Supreme Court of the United States.
l In all eases, where the amount involved is
over $3.50, so that when the action OF
| Congress is had upon the same, the full
| equities and the law of each claim shall be
made up for its determination.
The bill Furthermore provides for CON-
missioneTs TO be appointed in each judicial
district Of the United States by Court OF
| Claims. These commissioners are en-
powered to summon witnesses, 30 take
testimony, employ stenographers and fully
prepare each claim for presentation TO the
said court, and the United States are to be
represented by the respective attorneys
and the orders of the commissioner are tC
be enforced by the respective United
States MarshalS. The docket in
each case is to be open to the
inspection Of the public when completed
The other provisions regard the rights o.
! the United States and the claimants by pro
hibiting unnecessary delay, after the com
mencement of a suit, and by enforcing Sc
we're penalties for the conduct Of commits
sioners. The cost and expenses on eacl
case are all to be borne by the successful
litigant.