Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1876-10-13
Paying the Rebel Cost OF the War.

the purpose Of the "Solid South, !"
when there is Democratic majority
in the Government,to to present claims
for damages sustained by the people
engaged in the rebellion because OF
the war, we have submitted copies of
various bills now pending in Con
gress having that purpose In view.
To understand this question as it
stands at present, it is necessary to
state that Congress has already APP
propriated several hundred millions
of dollars IN satisfying claims for
damages and private property taken,
or said to be taken, by the armies of
the United States Of persons resi-
dent in the Southern States. The
United States have allowed claims of
this kind to be brought before the
Court Of Claims and the Commission
on Southern Claims, the sole stipula-
ton being that the claimant should
establish that he had not been en-
gagged in and had not aided or pro-
noted the rebellion.
The claims now presented TO Con
gress are of two kinds: |. Those Of
persons who, while engaged in the
rebellion, suffered loss and sustained
damage by the Union troops. 2.
Those of the same class whose prop
erty was taken, used, or destroyed
by the Rebel troops and government.
The argument in favor Of allowing
the first class is that the citizen of
the South could not by his rebellion
dlvest himself of his constitutional
right to be compensated for loss or
damage inflicted by the government.
2. That the rebellion or lnsurrection,
was Of SO great magnitude thatthe
State governments were not able to
suppress it, and the citizen had a
right to the protection of the gener-
al government, which failed in its
duty, and should therefore pay.
A bill was introduced into Con
gress by Mr.. Ritchie, Of Maryland,
which provided tor commission to
hear and determine claims for ''stores
or supplies taken or furnished, or for
property used, damaged, or destroy
ed for the use of the army of the
United States" The author Of the
bill made long speech, in which he
protested against the law which CON
fined payment to those who could
furnish proof of loyalty. In that
speech he said:
There is one particular in which the bill
l have introduced differs from the law
establishing the Southern Claims Commis-
sion, and from the act of July 4, 1864.
In the first of these two it is directed
that the Commissioners, in considering
the claims, must be satisfied, not only of
their justice and validity, but also of the
loyalty of the claimant.
In the act of 1864 there is a provision
similar in effect.
In the bill have submitted, proof is
required only Of the justice and calidity
Of The cIaim. This may be regarded as II
material omission by the majority of the
House, and if its disposition is such that
no additional facilities will be accorded
to claimants, unless the qualification re-
ferred to Is added, could suggest thdt
the bill is aoitiin the pocer of'this HoaS3
for such amendments rs it may insist up
on. Team only sag for myseg, that IN
the light Of Ry smOrn o6h9dtaon to sup
port the Constitution, as md rstdnd
that Fundamental charter alike Of our
po,cer and the Rights Of tie citizen, I
could not recognize in any legislation Of
mn Offering discrimination so false an
principle, so pernicious sa example, and
so unjust in operation.
While this bill was pending, Mr..
3. +. Myers, Democratic member
from Pennsylvania, spoke of this bill
and said:
There can be no doubt as to the propri-
ETY. of the passage of this bill. II IS out
the initial measure Of that iust legislation
which the people of the adhering States,
,chose property aoss destroyed dHring tie
,car of the rebellion haue so tong bM so
cainly expected at the hands Of Congress.
Though modest In purpose and limited in
scope, its passage would be regarded as
an earnest that the Federal authority rec
ognizes and means to discharge to the eX-
tent of IFS power its duty of protection to
the citizens as we'll by indemnity for iniu-
RES to private property resulting from do
mestic violence too powerful to be sup
pressed by individual states, as for COM
pensation for such injuries inflicted di-
rectly by the acts of its own agents. =
The bill, indeed, is not sufficiently COM
prehensive 1t fails TO provide for the
ascertainment of losses sustained by citi-
zens of the adhering states through the
seizure and destruction of property in
such states, by the insurrectionary ar
mics. In this respect it should be amend
ed. But it will do for a beginning. 1t
soiN serce as a pioneer to clear the gcaY .fo'
measures approaching more nearly that
adequate Justice sought and erpeeted bg
those aoho ask its passage.
This Democrat having thus volun
tarily proposed to.pay for all the
property taken, used, or damaged, IN
cluding railroads, steamboats,, etc.
by the Rebel armies as well as by
the Union troops, Mr. Richie sait
that while he approved the PROPOSE
ton to pay for all the property taken
, used and destroyed by the Rebe