The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1880-10-13
GARFIELD IN + VOR OF
SOUTHERN CLAIMS.
Republicans Demanding Tribute
Of Claim Agents Before the
Latter's Occupation is
Gone.

In Washington the following edi-
flying composition was received from
a New York Republican claim agent,
who writes that it is copy of cir
cular just received by him:
WASHINGTON, DC, September 80, 80.
[CSnidentiall
''DEAR SIR: The letter of General
Hancock in regard to the payment of
claims leaves ne doubt in the minds of
those who know him that be will stern
ly carry out his views as therein an
nounced, and that he will promptly veto
any and all acts locking to such com
pensatien as may hereafter be asked for
losses incurred by citizens of the States
in rebellion by the army of the United
States, and also that he will urge upon
| Congress the repeal of any and all laws
now in force making it possible for
claimants to procure pay as loyal citi-
zens. From many of the Southern
! States and from great many Democrat
ic members Of Congress have come ex-
pressions coinciding with and fully
agreeing to the views expressed by Gen
era1 Hancock. The position occupied
by General Garfield upon the subject of
payment of claims is and has been much
more favorable towards claimants than
that assumed by General Hancock in
his letter. You are cited to the fact
that General Garfield was Chairman Of
the Committee on Appropriations when
the present Vice President, Hon. VIM.
A. Wheeler, reported and had placed
upon the Army Appropriation bill the
act of July 4, under which you and your
clients have received large awards, and
that this measure receiyed the ardent
support of General Garfield iE a speech
upon the subject; alsS that General Gar
field strongly urged the extension of the
time of the Southern Claims Commits
sioner upon both occasions when said
extension was made. 1t is extremely
doubtful if the last extension of such
time would have been made at all if it
had not been fer the strong appeal made
to the House by him, as you will see by
referring to the record when the bill
came up for consideration. Southern
claimants under the operation of the
law creating the commission, as ysu are
aware, were paid nearly So, 600, 600. 1t
is considered, in the opinion of the best
posted and thoroughly conversant at
torneys here in Washington, that the in.
terest of both claimants and attorneys
will be better promoted by the election
of Garfield than that of Hancock, and
thus continuing the Republican party in
power, as the Republicans have been
more favorable to the payment of all
classes of claims than the Democrats,
Witness, as an example, the conduct OF
the War-Claims Committee, Bragg, et
Wisconsin, Chairman, at the last session
of Congress. TO accomplish this many
of the attorneys here have contributed
literally, and they now ask you to aid
them all in your power. Any cSntribu
ton that ySu may see fit to make can be
forwarded to your local correspondent
here, with instructions as to its dispo
sition, or sent to Hon. Edward McPher-
son, Secretary Republican Congression-
al Committee. Please be prompt and
make your response as liberal as you
possibly can, for the demand is urgent
and the interest to be conserved is very
great