Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1878-08-29

of the currency by the wants
of business. These points are argued
with Gen. Garfield's characteristic
force.
The Classes of Southern War
Claims.
The Democratic keynote blows, Hen
bricks, Voorhees,. Thurman, and Say
Ter, have given to the public some
figure fallacie5 of Democratic economies
by swapping one kind OF paper money
for another kind, and by the shutfiing
trick of cutting down appropriation
bills, TO serve during canvass, and
then passing deficiency bills. Let us
now look at some real items of the cost
of a Democratic administration, if that
party should come into control of the
Treasury and finances of the nation by
the possession OF both houses of Con.
gress and tue Executive.
When the holders of the Southern
war claims shall also hold the National
Treasury and the power to issue paper
money, is any one so simple rs TO think
they will not pay them? Would they
not be lifted into the nature OF wal
fine imposed by the Confederate upon
the North, as that of Prussia upon be-
trayed Turkey? Is any one SO ignor-
ant of the Ways in which claims agains;
the government are expanded at all
times, and particularly when made Cut
in spirit OF hostility, as not to think
that these claims will be inf tted with
out limit? The several classes of these
claims which are now pending before
Congress, or the tribunals, or are in the
hands OF claim agents awaiting the
Democratic Confederate regime, are
stated by Washington letter to the
New York Tribune, from which we
condense. The Tribune correspondent
represents the statement rs prepared
by man who has long occupied an
official position which has given him
opportunities for correct Information
on the subject.
The first class of claims for return,
Of the taxes levied upon raw cotton in
1866 and 1867. This tax Was in fact
paid by consumers. The refund is
on the ground that the
tax was illegal. The claims are in
the hands of syndicate of claim
agents, to be pushed by the ways OF
experts i'll that business. The amount
Is about 80 million dollars.
The second class is for cotton, sugar,
and tobacco seized and sold by the
United States under the captured end
abandoned property acts of 1868 and
1864. The acts provided that any own
9r might file petition in the Court Uf
Claims within two years upon proof of
his loyalty. This time has expired.
1t is now claimed that John5un's procla-
nation removed d all distinction of loyal
and rebel. They desire 10 have an act
10 refer these TO the Court Uf Claims,
where, according to decision of the
Supreme Court, there is no distinction
Of loyal and rebel. The amount rea.
liz d TO the government from such
sales was nearly y millions, Of which
more than 10 millions has been paid to
claimants. But the claims now made
exceed 81 millions. This is ii mild ex
ample of the expansiveneSS Of such
things.
The third class is claims for Gotten
seized by agents of the govern m ent,
to law. These embrace the
seizures of cotton sold to the Confeder
ate Government. This, according to
aw, fell to the national government,
but the plea is set up that these sales to
he Confederate Government were
Illegal and void, and therefore the
nation is liable to the original owners.
These claims are estimated at I5 mill
ions.
FOurth-tlaims for stores or for
supplies, including vessels taken tor
or naval uses. This class is
argest, mCSt indefinite, and most e.
Oansive. Claimants who could prove
heir loyalty were able to establish
their claims within the two years in the
southern Claims Commission. 7 he
'est now want the door opened to them
1y an act referring all to the Court of
Claims. These claims have increased
IS the evidence of them has lapsed by
lime. The least amount is estimated
It 200 millions. Itadmits of indefinite
Fifth-Claims for rent of buildings,
Vharves, and lands occupied by the
Julted States in the rebel States during
he war. The e were with fare eXcep-
ions of persons dIsluyal to the govern
nent. No precedent exists for the
payment Of such cleims for necessary
Ise OF property in the the enemy's
country in carrying on war. These
.lalmS are numerous, and are in the
hands Of agents, and after rigid scaling
will amount to about ~ mlllions.
Sixth-Claims Tor property destroyed
rom military necessity in the war
operations of the national army.
These are estimated at 10 millions, but
will probably be greatly Increased.
Seventh-Clain5 for slaves enlisted
n the national army from the loyal
border States, and only partly settled
when proceedings were suspe aided by
he act of March -, 1867. These claims
leserve to be separated from the rest,
although there is the consideration that
a general these slaves would have
)een used by persons disloyal to the
government, and 10 aid the rebels in
,ne way or another. The amount is
no more than & millions.
The amount Of these claims reaches
he aggregate of $50 million dollars.
The rational public Can judge whether
his sum would be more than BEGIN
ling if the Confederate Democracy got
he control of the Treasury. For ex-
mple, within the two years when
lairns could be filed before the South
rn Claims Commission, upon aver
nent of loyalty, 22,0O0 claims were
lied, amounting to 6U million dollars,
lone for property used for military
apart from the cotton, rent,
nd damage claims. From this it is
stimated tn It if proof Of loyalty were
lot required these claims alone would
each 100 millions. This Will give q
asis to show that there will be no end
o the amount of these claims when the
Confederate leaders shall be placed in
he power to make the North pay their
var fine.
The possession of Congress and of
he Presidency by the Democratic
srty means settling day between
he CDnfe lerat, aud the Northern