The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-03-03
The bill introduced by Senator West,

The bill introduced by Senator West,
for the settlement of loyal claims, pro-
vides that the Court Of Claims shall
have sole jurisdiction of all claims
against The United States brought by
loyal persons for all classes of property
destroyed, occupied, used or taken by
army ond navy of the United States, for
and in tho service Of the United States;
also, that oil persons who have been re-
stored in rights of person or property,
after participation in tho late rebellion,
by reason OF any amnesty proclamation
or personal pardons OF the President,
and who resumed their allegiance before
the final ending Of the war, shall be en-
Titled to the benefit of the. provisions
this bill. It also abo1ishes the Southern
Claims Commission, and provides tha,
all claims now perding and undecided
by said commission, or before the Quar-
Itermaster- General, Cons missary-G
raj. Third Auditor of the Treasury, or
other executive department of the Go.
vernment, shall be transferred for adju-
dication to the Court of Claims, which,
after rendering judgments on the same,
is required to report them to Congress
for it's action thereon; although either
the United States or the claimant can
appeal for final review to the Supreme
Court of the United States, in all cases
where the amount involved is over
%, 600, so that when the action of
Congress Is had upon the same, the full
equities and law of each claim shall be
made up for its determination. The
bill furthermore provides for commits
sloners to be appointed in each judicinl
district Of the United States by the
Court OF Claims. These commissioners
are empowered to summon witnesse,
take testimony, employ sIenogrlphe
and fully prepare each claim for preser-
tation to said court. The Government
ts to be represented by the RESP ectiye
District Attorneys, and the orders of
com missioners ore to be enforced oy the
respective United States Marshals. The
docket Of each case is to be open TO in.
inspection Of the public, when com.
lpleted. Other detailed provisions guard
the rights Of the United States aud
claimants by prohibiting unnecessary
delay after commencement of suit, and
ienforclng severe penalties for miscon.
duct OF commissioners. The costs md
expenses in each case are to be borne by
the successful litigant. It is claimed
that the enactment of this bill would
save to the Governs! ant vast sum OF
money. annually expended in salaries of
employees and other expenses, in the
various departments engaged in exnmin.
ing and settling such claims, besides til g
great expenses to which claimants are
now subjected, III coming to Wishing.
ton to prosecute their claims, which,
under this bill. eau virtually he pre-
pared for determination in their re-
,spective judicial districts.
Governor Bard was confirmed. TO-.
day, by two-thirds vote, as Postmaster
at Atlanta. The nomination had been
pending ninety days and is claimed as II
great administration victory.
Probabilities-On Tuesday, for the
Southern States, East of the AIissis.
lsippi, clear or partly cloudy weather.
high temperature and light to fresh
Southeast to Sonth- west winds. will
prevail. except, possible, light ruin in
the lower Mississippi valley. For tho
Ohio valley aud Missouri, partly CLOUDY
weather aud occasionally light rain.
with winds veering to Westerly in the
former and to North westerly in the
latter. For tho upper lake region, fresh
"AN o'ish "iutS, fCcHiuS 10 NOTLu. west
erly, with decidedly lower temperature
than on Monday. partly cloudy weather
and possibly occasional rain or snow
For the lower lake region, fresh and
brisk winds, vcering to Westerly, partly
cloudy and occasional rain, and on
Tuesday night, falling temperature.
For the Middle and Eastern States.
falling barometer, higher temperature
than Oh Monday; partly cloudy wca.he.
and Southeast TO Sonth-wes: winds, IN
creasing to fresh and brisk.
New YoEX, March "A despatch.
dated near the Dry Tortngas fleet rem
devious, cia Key West, lst, says the
United States steam vessel Fortune,
which has just arrived from Havana, re.
ports there is considerable anxiety ~
that city regarding startling rumor OF
the escape OF the steamer Edgar Stuart.
from American waters. The Wabash
goes to Havana tonight.
! The Cumberland and Ohio Rivers
continue falling; the Mississippi, below
Memphis, is rising slightly.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, March 2.-The
schooner Anna Barton, arrived from
Portland, reports that on the 25th ult :.
fonr milessSonth- east of Cape May, sht
fell in with n boat. containing Captain