Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-01-24
AN OLD SCORE.
The Governments Claim Against Ten |
nessee RaIIrOads-WhRt Congress Is |
nOfus AbOut 1t

The Governments Claim Against Ten
uessee RaIIrOads-WhRf Congress Is
Doing About 1t.
At the last session Of Congress, by rec
ommendatiOn of the Secretary Of War, a
bill passed the House whereby he was au-
thorized TO compromise with Southern rail-
road companies yet indebted to the Govern
ment for rolling stock and other railway
material sold to them at the close OF the
war, BY extension OF the compromise act
Of 1871. 1t struck the Judiciary Commit
tee Of the Senate, and fingered there until
reported, a few days ago, amended by Judge
Edmunds, as the committees report. 1t
will probably pass both houses, as amend
ed. 1t is cutie important, as follows:
"That the Secretary of War and Attorney
General are hereby authorized and en-
powered jointly to adjust and settle the
claims of the United States against the
Alexandria, LOudOn and Hampshire, the
Edgefield and Kentucky, the Knoxville and
Kentucky, the McMinnville and Manches-
ter. the Mobile and Ohio, the Memphis,
ClarEsville and Louisville, the Memphis and
Little Rock, the Nashville and Northwest
ern, the Southwestern Branch Pacific Rail
road of Missouri, and the Selma, Rome
and Dalton Railroad Companies, and all
persons and corporations having any in
teTest in the subject growing out Of the sale
and transfer by the United States of any
rights OF property to said railway COM
panies above named, respectively, in the
years eighteen hundred and siXty-ive
and eighteen hundred and sixty elk, or both,
by making such abatement in the amount
Of such claims, respectively, as shall be
deemed just, in respect Of an Oyer-valua-
tion, if any, Of the property sold, not ex-
ceeding twenty-five per centum Ofthe Valu-
alton Of the property in each case, as made
under the authority Of the War Depart
ment on the occasion of such sales: Pro
vided, that such settlement shall be made
within one year next after the passage Of
this act; and that good and sufficient secu-
rity be given to the United States by or on
behalf Of the parties in interest, respect
lively, who do not pay in cash at the time
of settlement, for the payment, with inter-
est, Of such sums as shall, on such settle
ments, be so found due, at such times
within ten years as may be agreed upon.
ssSec. 2. That this act shall not be con-
strued so IS to produce or authorize any
delay in the prosecution of said claims, re-
spectively, other than as aforesaid; and each
Of said claims not so settled and disposed
Of as aforesaid shall be prosecuted and en-
forced according to existing obligations.
In such settlements no allowance shall be
made in respect Of any matter occurring
prior to such sales and transfers, nor other
wise, except such payments as may have
been made in cash, and such credits for
transportation as the general course Of the
business regulations Of the departments
authorizes. And in any such settlement,
the said Secretary and Attorney General
shall, &c a condition thereof, take full ne
lease from the other parties, respectively, Of
all claims and demands of every name and
nature Heretofore existing, ifanysuch there
be, against the United States,n