Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1877-12-18
Claims for Supplies Furnished by Loyal

Having been employed to ascertain whether
CLAIMS against the Hnited States :, Under the Act
following publication for the benefit of all CEN
cerned.
in States not in rebellion for quartermaster's
stores actually furnished to the army. aud
same, or which may have been taken by such
officers without giving such receipt, may be sub
proofs each claimant can present of the facts
of his case: and it shall be the duty of the
Quartermaster General to cause such claim
is just, and of the loyalty of the claimant, and
that the stores have been actually ed or
taken for the use of and used by the army, then
to report each case to the Third Auditor of the
Treasury, with a Recommendation for settle
ment" There is similar provision in regard
to Commissary Stores.
2. Until recently, impression prevailed
tnat Democrat could not manage these claims
With success, and the business was monopoliZed
by Republican in-agents. These men with
few exceptions) were mere adventurers without
either capacity or principle,-tbey lacked both
brains and honesty. Our people were swindled
and the Government detrauded.
vestieate q ease and determine whaI testimony
was required, and many good claims We're lost
because all evidence as to the material facts las
omitted. For example, in one case. the Witness
said, Il went to Cen Getty, who was camped
on the Larue place. for a guard, aod as W as
passing through his camp saw. the horses
hitched up to the artillery along with the other
horses" but the clai m-agent in writing out this
affidavit made the witness SAT am very con
tident the horses were taken to the camp on the
Larue place" This claim was rejected because
the affidavit written. failed to prove that the
horses tners used by the army they may haye been
stolen by Suffer.
8. Many fraudulent claims were presented and
proved by perjured Witnesses. The Quarter
master General. being one of the few honest
men in Office at Washington. knowing the Gov
ernment was being swindled, refused to allow
anv claim unless it was proved, beyond Sedson
able doubt. that the supplies were actually used
by the army.
The difficulty of obtaining this amount and
this character of evidence is manifest. The ex-
citement and danger, occasioned by an army
camped in the neiRhborkond, kept every farmer
at home to protect his family. But unless he
followed each load of hay and corn to the ca mp.
and saw it fed to the stock. he cannot swear, of
his own knowledge. that it was used by the army
Hence in ninety-nine cases in d hundred, 1t has
been impossible TO find the required amount of
rejected the dishonest ones paid the dis
honest claimant will employ manufactured and
fraudulent testimony.
4. Under the present law, it is a waste of time
and money to prosecute a rejected claim. The
Quartermaster General informed me that he
would not, under any circumstances, reconsider q
case he cannot do without violating his
chances a hundred to one that it will be re-
jected, if the pagers were prepared by an incom-
peteT:t lawyer.
In view of these facts advise those who have
honest claims to get together and agree upon
some concert of action suggest, thew hold
meeting and petition Congress to establish n
Court, Whose jurisdiction shall be limited to
cases arising under the Act of July 4. 1871 to
investigate and determine this particular class
of claims. j. NJ MASON,
Cnarlestown,
Jefferson Co..