The New York herald., 1876-07-17
GENERAL WASHlNGTON DISPATCHES

WASHINGTON, July 10, 1870
COURT OF CoMNIssIoNERs-ErYoR OF IN
sURANCE COMPANIES TO OBTAIN EEcooSI-
TIoN-cHARAcTIR OF CLAIMS STILL Rk-
NAMING
From report Of John Davis, Clerk 10 the Court Of
Comm issoners Of Alabama Claims. made TO the Senate
JUDICIARY Committee in response 10 a resolution OF
that body it appears that the expenses of this Court
as compared with those OF the American and British
Claims Mixed Commission. are about one third. The
Court has been in existence years. and has passed
upon about 1Go0 claims, embracing awards to the
amount OF about $4,000, ,OO0 Tho sessions OF the
Court have been frequently interrupted owing to tho
difficulty of procuring testimony from those who fol.
low q seaAring lie.
Under the present laws insurance companies not
able to show loss the whole oi their business
excluded from awards, but during tho present
strong efforts, but without success, have been
made TO give them participation the awards. They
wsrc partially successful before the House Committee
on the Judiciary in being assigned to the third class o
claimants, which would give them partial share
In the Geneva award If the remainder OF
the money now on hand should not be
absorbed by the first two classes, composed
OF those before the Court the first class,
and the losers by cruisers other than the Ala
bama the Florida aud the Shenandoah after leaving
Melbourne. The bill OF the committee passed the
House. with the section admitting companies
the third class stricken out and Is now before The
Senate Judiciary Committee.
Tho bill which passed the Senate on Saturday, ex.
tending the duration OF the Court until January may
regarded all the action which the Senate will
upon the subject. leaving the House bill to be
sidercd at the next session.
The amount remaining to be distributed is about
50, ,O00 OO0
Tho claims before the Court arc Of the
most deserving character being largely those
of sailors who suffered privations and the
loss OF all their personal effects by reason
OF capture by the Alabama and other Confederate
cruisers Curously enough, among the claims yet
reached Is that oil George Robeson the Secretary Of
the Navy who claims, in his official capacity $50 900
the loss of the steamer Hatteras which, it viii be
membercd, was attacked and destroyed by the Alabama
in January, ls63 He also presents claim for the
loss OF the bark Greenland vessel hired under con-
tra-t to carry coal, and which destroyed in July
1854, by the Florias while on voyage from Phila
dclphia TO Pensacola Three claims are filed by the
agent OF the Republic Of Peru. These aggregate over
S4OO 600 There Is little doub, that General Creswci
the attorney Tor the United States, will objec; the
admission OF these last claims, and will the qucs
ton, how foreign republic bear true allegiance
the United States required by the law There is
small possibility indeed OF Peru sharing the Geneva
award The OF the legitimate claims deserve DC
paid at once Many of the sufferers have died or arc
rapidly passing away and delay upon the part OF Con-
grcss providing for the further distribution OF
the award regarded in any other light than
cruelty to the claimants or their heirs
The VACANT COMMISSION APPOINT
MENT YET MADE EFFORTS TO INDUCE THE
PRESIDENT NOT TO ACCEPT Mr.. PRATT's
RESIGNATION.
No intiDations, based upon any direct authority,
nave ye, been made regarding the appointment Of
Internal Revenue Commissioner, in place OF Mr. Pratt
or the several persons named rs likely to succeed him,
Mr. Rogers is regarded by his friends the more
prominent the argument beng shat his long aud
efficient service internal revenue officer viii be a
formidable point in his favor, and that tho sccre-
ary OF tho Treasury would be greatly assisted by hav
ing the counsel OF IN Official OF such long experience
Mr.. Pratt's resignation has not yet been formally
accepted, Notwithstanding, as Is well known,
the President requested. through Secretary
Morrill,, that It should DO rendered and
strong influences are at work to induce tue
President to decline It's acceptance. Leading Indiana
politicians and others said to be interested, and
their Vows believed 10 be OF character which
must insure Executive consideration. Mr.. Pratt lcf,
here yesterday Tor brief trip oil recreation, but will
return ON wedn nesday He had prolonged interview
with Mr. Morrill, before his departure. Those at work
cause the Presideat TO decline the Comm ssoncrs
res snaton believe that whatever Differences may
exist between the President and the Commissioner
may be amicaby adjusted without humiliation to tho
Commissioner or an abandonment o: the position taken
by the President The question viii probably DO sol,
tled by the end OF the week.