New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-08
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrnoxE.l

IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRTBONEI
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1.-THE persistency with
which the Democratic House has raided upon the
National Treasury III behalf of Southern claims is
aptly illustrated by the following facts: III 1875
the representatives of the Richmond and Danville
Railroad presented to Northumberland Meigs
an account for the transportation of troops over
this road, for which they charged at the rate of
6l2 cents per mile. As the rate fixed by the Gov
eminent and paid to all roads was cents a mile,
General Meigs declined to pass the account. unless
the figures changed to conform to the esab-
lIshed rate. This was done and the account was
paid. Subsequently, while General Mcigs was abb
sent in Europe. and General Ingalls, was acting IN
his place, a claim was laid before the Quartermas
ter's Department for the difference between the
2 cents paid and the Gle cents demapded
in the first account. This claim was forwarded by
General Ingalls, TO Secretary Be1nap, who approved
it shortly before his resignation. The matter re-
manned in the War Office. however, when Secretary
Cameron took charge, and upon it's being brought
to his notice. he promptly reversed the action of
his predecessor and stamped the claim with his dis
approval.
The attorneys of the railroad company threatened
Secretary Cameron with mandamus to compel him
to act ON the matter. But he steadily refused to
change his action. The matter then came before
the Second Controller, and by him
referred to the Solicitor of the Treas
ury for his opinion in the matter. The
Solicitor rendered an opinion that the claim
was lust one. and recommended ITS payment
When the case came before Secretary Sherman for
his approval, he promptly oyerruled the opinion of
the Solicitor, and refused to entertain the claim.
few days before Congress adjourned the attor-
neys for the railroad went before the House ApprO
pratons Committee with the opinion Of the Solicit
tor and urged special appropriation to satisfy the
claim. The chairman called for the papers on tile
in the Treasury Department, and they were
promptly forwarded to him, with all the lndorse-
ments, showing the action of the Secretary of War
and the Secretary of the Treasury. In the face of
all the facts and with the action of the officers OF
the Government before them, the committee added
a special appropriation of upward of $4,000 TO the
SundTy Civil bill for the payment ct this claim. AS
the bill was rushed through amid all the din and
confusion incident to the closing hours of the ses
sion this clause passed unehallenged, and a few
days ago the money was paid to the representatives
of the railroad company
Attracted by the success which has attended this
raid upon the stronghold of the Nation other rail-
roads throughout the South arranging to present
similar claims, and leading attorneys have been re-
tanned to press their interests. In some instances
the retainers for this business have been high as
IS, 000 II is the opinion of Treasury officials that,
under this precedent claims will be presented,
which, if allowed, will drain the Treasury of many
millions of dollars.