New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-10

value OF the cotton so taken from them Dy INC
Treasury agents. These claims are estimated 10
amount TO 81 ,000 900. They are in reality among
the most shameless which have yet come to ilght.
They exactly parallel with thoseo OF the SOUTHERN
mail contractors lately presented in the House OF
Representatives by Mr. Reagan. of Texas, which II
was shown by reference to the Confederate archives
had once been paid in full by the Confederate POST
Inaster-G General ont of funds belonging TO the Gov
eminent Of the United States The seizures OF cot
ton were made in accordance with records 1Ouhu on
the books of the Confederate treasury, WnlChh
showed that the cotton had been 0ought ana pau
for and that the vendors were merely holding IL
subject TO the orders OF the Confederate UoFern-
meat.
A. Claims for stores OF for supplies, including
steamboats, and other vessels taken for the military
on naval purposes of the United States. These
claims are the most humorous as well as
the most indefinite and uncertain in amount
Partial relief has been afforded to the
holders of these claims; but what has been done
bears only a small ratio to what Is wanted FER
SONS who we're loyal and have been able to submit
proof Of that fact have had through the Southern
Claims Commission an ample avenue for the pre-
torment and establishment of their claims against
the Governments and it is probable that the MAJOR
ity of this class of claims have already been PAID.
Those who were disloyal in fact but who have been
renovated by the general amnesty, have not yet
been allowed to recover anything and they are
among the most persistent and Oudest OF the classes
which are now clamoring for standing be-
fore Congress OF the courts. Any estimate
of the amount of these claims is necessarily
loose, but as the claimants means OF proof nave
strengthened and tho Governments means have
weakened by lapse of time, any legislation OF the
kind desired by claimants VIII take from the
Treasury S2OO,OO0,000 at the least
8. Claims for rent of buildings, wharves, and
lands. occupied by the United States in the IN
surreetionary districts during the war The
Federal authorities being hampered by no con-
tracts and having no rent to pay were quite free
in appropriating private buildings and lands to the
public use No relief of any sort has been granted
to the claimants of this class. They were with rare
exceptions disloya to the Government, and no pre-
oedent exists for the payment of such claims. The
CLAIMS are however numerous and are vigorously
pushed by their agents. 1t would probably take
500. 100000 to pay them even under rigid sealing
of prices
6. Claims for property destroyed or damaged IN
a deliberate and orderly manner by competent
authority, as military necessity the part Of the
United States IN furtheranee Of the operations OF
the Federal forces OF in obstruction OF the opera
tons of the enemy, There are no means OF gettlhg
very closely at the amount Of such claims, Dat they
would hardly 90 below S1O,OO0OOO.
z. Claims for slaves ENLISTED into the Federal
Army from the loyal border States, and only partly
settled when proceedings were suspended by Act of
March so 1867 These claims from strictly legal
point OF view are among the most meutorlous winch
have vet been produced. They numerous, but OF
small amount and probably do not amount to more
than $0,OO0,0OO,
AN ENORMOUS AGGREGATE.
The foregoing enumeration takes no account OF
claims for the value of slaves emancipated war
measure or under the Constitutional amendment;
claims for loss or damage caused by the depreda-
tions Of the troops the casualties of the march OF
battle and claims for the spoliatlOn or damage in
hcted by the Confederate authorities forces upon
loyal citizens Of the South. Leaving all such out of
the reckoning, it appears that the demands upon
the Treasury account of what are called South
ern claims amount to not less than $3.50, 100000.
and may amount to much more.
Take for instance, the claims for property used for
military purposes as distinct from the cotton, rent
and damage claims. Within two years. under law
and procedure calling for a positive ayerment Of
constant loyalty. $4,000 claims, footing mp $780,
100000 were fled before the Southern Claims Com
mission. It is estimated that If the averment and
strict proof of loyalty not exaeted the claims
presented would be at least 10000 in number.
footing up 800 900, 600, for it is to be re-
membered that it was the disIoyal who
were the most opuent aud contributed
most largely to the enforced support of the Federal
armies Now, allowing deduction of One-thrd in
amount for false, exaggerated and mistaken de-
mands II follows that there wOuld be over S26O,-
100000 in this class alone 10 pay II proof OF actual
loyalty was not required. and II the Government
should be held liable to pay market value for all
property taken.