New-York tribune., 1880-02-29
REBEL CLAIMS IN CONGRESS.

TIE TREASURY DOORS TO BE OPENED.
TIE OLD DANGER AGAIN IMPENDING-oNLY FRAUD
ULENT LOTTERIES PROHIBITED FROM THE MAILS
MIR. TRowBRIDGE CONFIRMED COMMITTEES
AT wOgK-THE PONCAs.
a bill has been reported in the House to
repeal the Statute of Limitations, so as to al
low claims for captured and abandoned
property" to be prosecuted. 1t is said that
the ex-rebcls are determined to have their
war claims paid The Post Office Department
explains that only fraudulent lotteries are to
be prohibited from using the mails. Mr.
Trowbridgc has been confirmed Commissioner
of Indian Affairs. Congressional Commit
tees yesterday considered the Interoceanic
Canal matter, the Chinese question and the
Star Service deficiency. A Senate committee
has agreed to report bill to place Indians on the
footing of citizens. The investigation into
the Poncas' removal continues.
SOUTHERN CLAIMANTS HOPEFUL.
A BILL REPORTED IN THE HOUSE TO REPEAL THE
STATUTE OF LIMITATIONs-AN ENTERING WEDGE
FOR THE PAYMENT OF REBEL CLAIMS.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.l
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2S.-The Southern Democrats
have learned few things since they got control of
the House of Representatives five years ago.
There is, for example, less loud and violent talk
in the nature of demands for the payment of rebel
claims, but the determination of the Confederate
Democracy to have those claims paid, if the DEM
ocrats ever succeed in gaining possession of the
Government, il as firm as 1t ever was. The letter
which Mr.. Tilden wrote on Southern Claims in Oc-
tober 1876, is greater cause of Southern OppOsi-
ton to his nomination than any "cowardice"
of which the Democrats alege that he was guilty
=. r..ua,
Democrat, in conversation with correspondent not
long ago, characterized Mr. Tilden's Southern
CLAIMS letter as "gratuitous indecency and an in
suit 10 the Southern people,
Readers OF The TRIBUNE may be able to recall the
publication of list of bills introduced by Southern
members of tho House during the extra session,
which bills called for appropriations to pay claims
amounting to many millions of dollars. Among
those bills was one brought in by Representative
OCOnnor, of tissuc-ballot nOtoriety. MIR. OCOnnOr
represents the Charleston, g.. c.. District Speaker
Randall with keen recognition of the eternal fit
ness of things, when he made up his committees,
placed Mr.. OCOnnor upon the select committee Oh
Reform IN the Civil Service.
Mr.. OConnor secured the reference of his
bill to the committee of which he is
member Six of the eleven members
OF the Committee are Southern men. The bill in
question provides for Judicial ascertainmcnt OF
claims against tho United States, aud should have
been referred to the Committee on the judiciary.
On the 1ith inst. Mr. OCounOr reported the bill
TO the House with certain amendments. The re-
port which accompanied the bill has now heen
printed, and it proves to be very ingenious docu-
ment One of iis features will attract the especial
attention of all whether or not they have hereto
fore believed that the South means TO have all
losses growing ont of the war paid.
The feature is ono which, in the language of the
report is on Statute of Limitations" But one
proviso Of the section 10 which il refers rcpeas the
statute Of limitations, far "a II applies TO CLAIMS
for the proceeds of captured and abandoned"
property. 80
Bv judicial decision IT has been determined that
claimants on this score are barred, unless they
began a suit for recovery on or before August 20.
1868 Mr. 0'Counors report puts In an ingenious
plea IN behalf itlcse claimants, and his bill pro-
noses 20 give them another year in which 10 bring
suit The amount of the claims Is comparatively
sluail, a. be- sure. being estimated at only some
twenty or Twenty-Five millions oi dollars.
While this is only the entering wedge, IL Is sgnf-
cant as disclosing the fact that the Southern claim
ants have not given M hope, ceased their efforts