The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-19
DIVIDING THE MILLIONS.
NO GENEVA AWARD MONEY FOR THE
INSURANCE COMPANIES.
The House Deciding that the Cash shau Go TO
Vessel Owners who Lest Through Seizures
Made by Confederate PrINnleersnaen.


Made by Confederate Privateersnaen-
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1S. - The House re-
tumed consideration OF tho Geneva Award bill.
MIR. Hale tiop.. Mel saying that it involved a
contest between the insurance com panies Of the
great cities and tho persons on whom unre
loved losses had fallen by reason Of the depro-
dations OF Confederate cruisers. II these in
surance companies had perfect right to this
money. why had they not gone into the courts
for 1t instead Of going to Congress2
Mr.. Mcmahon tDcm.. Ohiol favored tho mi
nority report. which. he said. contained the fun
damental principle that no indemnity should
be paid TO any one who was not an actual loser
Mr.. Butler lind. MassJ spoke against tho in
suranco companies claim. and In favor OF that
of the war premium men. Ho reviewed the
history OF the Johnson Clarendon treaty and Of
the treaty Of Washington and said that II was
agreed that national claims only should be sub
mitted. While the subject was before the ribu-
nal II was whispered that one Of the counsel for
the Unitod States was also the retained counsel
for the insurance companies. which rumor
brought from tho State Department percmp-
tory order that United states agents should not
mako any disposition whatever In relation TO
the clnsses OF claims that were 10 be paid. Mr.
Butler believed. therefore. that the money came
To the United States without having upon II any
claim by any class OF citizens whatever. He
added
There are three propositions in regard to Il
One is TO pay the money into tho Treasury. do
not believe there y u southern gentleman on
this floor who will vote for that Having in
ficied the wrong rightly when II was inflicted
So far rs that wnr could have any element ot
right. no man who was 10 tho Confederacy will
want To- have any advantage from money rot
from the neutral friend for lis aid in that wrong
rhGrrsiorc,t the prop2sliionn to put the money In
support from the gentlemen who represent the
Confederacy part of the Union.
The other proposition IA to give II to some
body. 10 whom shall II be- given rs an indcm-
niiyr Nobody has any legal right to II. We
il In Mississippi ievces. in Northcrn railroads
in building ships or In giving subsidies But
what ought 20 be- done with itr II is proposed
give thcm some right to go into the court
and srt up what they call u claim Of
subrogation. Thev have no legal right to
it now; They. do not claim, | think. any
equitable right to 1t. Premiums ARE the
mother, ~ Insurance. These Insurance com
pnnics have received nearly nine millions IN
premiums during the war. aud hav" paid out
only about five and "a hali millions therefore
they have lost nothing. In tho bill which had
tn" honor to draw. and which became law.
provision was made TINT IT, on reckoning NJ
Inc insurance business during the war il was
foWld that any company had made u loss. that
loss should bc paid And al the insurance
companies that could show II loss growing out
Of their war risks have gone before that
tribunal and have received their pay.
Nor have they any legal claim. They mnde
make tuur millOns NOR Now. WHO are the
war premium men, They me the class " men
who paid premiums and who have got no re-
turn for their premiums. They were obliged To-
pay ten per cent insurance To get their SHIPS
across the water I'm the course Of business. So
great wis that burden that many men sold their
ships nominally or actually to Great Britain. to
sail under tho British iltg. But there were
other men, who with true patriotism carried on
business. and paid tho war premiums. and
have not received n doll lr in return
ia any way from insurance companies Or any
NN OH In tn hat
true. hut the merchant and the shin owner
charged the amount of his war premium paid.
and nddcl H. u tho price ~ his goods, ana
therefor" he has collected IL back again from
ne Tno,e p,oplr. Thai is iair argument and
lint lointl u Could have been done -, only
that fourfifths 81 the commerce Of the United
States during the war WIS carried in ior.gn
bottoms that paid no war premiums. This
four-tifths fixed the prices ~ the goods. and
therefore the men who paid the war premiums
could not charge them up in iixnE the prices Of
Mr. Knott Dem. Kyl said that there was no
provision of the Constitution authorizing Con
minority hill simply proposed 10 refer the sub
Jet to tho Court Of Claims. Nothing could be
Mr.. Frye's amendment was agreed 10. 1875 10
30. II provides that no claim In behalf Of any
insurance company shall he allowed by the
Court OF Claims. unless such claimant can
prove losses through war RISKS. The minority
bill WAS then pissed, ll3 60 93.
II revivus and continues IN" Court ofCommts-
sioners ~ Alabama claims, nNcs the number ot
Judges AT three requires the court To- convene
and organic ~ soon rs practicable in Wash
ington. nud limits lis existence to eighteen
months. The first class Of claims Is 10 be those
described IN section II ~ the former act ana
claims for damages directly done by COnfed"r-
ate cruisers on the high sens. although within
four niles ~ shore. In case- 81 whaling yes
seis 10 per cent. additional i 10 he allowed IN
lieu IT freight and the same allowance is
To b. made WITH six p"r cent. interest on
judgments heretofore rendered in favor OF
whaling r,sse.- The second class ~ claims
is To Dee ,ur TWO per cent. additional in
t"rcst on former judgments, On all judgments
o. hereafter rendered th" interest allowed rs e.
Doe \ per cent The thlrd cH-- Of claims = o.
Do" tor the payment ut premiums Tor war risks
DEDUCTIONS o. Ice made OF any sums pad back
in dimiuution NJ such premiums. SO that only
the actual loss shall be allowed. The Secretary
col the Treasury il directed 10 pay without fur
cent. upon whaling vessels and their outfit
with six per cent. interrcil on awards hrrrin-
i1rc made, and also 20 pay two per cent add
tonal interest on all judgments heretofore
mudc. Judgments rendered in the first
class ARE to be first paid and then
II the money be- mot sufficient 10
pay all the judgments OF the second class
they are To he paid pro rata, and tho like rule
& also 10 amply 10 judgments ia the third class
80 foreign born person Is 10 he excluded II sail
ing under the United state, flag. The at ir
not to b.. construed IA renewing or continuing
any Of the commissions OF Judges or officers
nam shall be fund from which Congress
may hereafter authorize the payment OF other
Gains thereon.
The Senate amendments TO the Pension An
preparation bill were cOncurred in. and the
House adjourned.