Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-03-12
WASHINGTON LETTER.
correspondence PUBLIC LRDoEA. |

Correspondence PUBLIC LRDGER.l
WASHINGTON, D.. c. MarchS.-Some
time ago l wrote an article relative to
the action and policy Of General
Bragg, who as chairman Of the house
committee on war claims, has achieved
whatever he undertook in regard to
persons petitioningth TIL government for
compensation. General Bragg was in
the federal army, and as chairman has
absolute control, it seems of the war
claims committee. While he has
sanctioned the oft repeated slurs and
SANDERS of the radical press and poll
ticians to the effect that every man in
the south was a traitor and a rebel
during the war, and therefore not
entitled to any redress from congress
because Of his loss Of property taken
for, and used by, the federal army, yet
his ideas are not without sound
logic. While no southern democrat,
except those who are tied to the coat
tail Of the eastern democracy, would
ever accuse General Bragg of being a
mar Of liberal ideas or great intellect,
it must be admitted that the little
congressman from Wisconsin has been
very much justified in reporting ad-
yersely upon these war claims. 1t
may be popular to abuse Mr.. Bragg,
and it may appease the ire Of many q
disappointed claimant to denounce
the gentleman. However, it must. be
remembered that be is a democrat and
has his appointment bySpeaker Randall
candidate, dark horse candidate for
president. 1t must not be ignored
that Mr.. Bragg is sustained by a
democratic committee and house OF
representatives. Now why does Mr.
Braggbelieve these claims fraudulent ?
Possibly the dark character, the sly
tricks and the systematic practices of
fraud on the part of the claim agents
have accomplished this. The people
Of Memphis and surrounding country
have been fearfuIly and shametully
humbugged by'elaim agents and the
government has paid out millions OF
dollars to be divided between the
rebel claimant and the pilferiug claim
agent. Mr.. Bragg has determined to
stop this wholesale swindle. and
he has so far succeeded. He
seems u be immovable and
deaf alike to the opportunities of
thieving claim agents aud other inter
ested parties. For this he is to be
commended, aud will receive the NEST
cordial endorsement of the good peo.
pie of the south. The people of Mem.
phis and surrounding country have
been victimized by claim agents, and
30 has the United States government.
Ola million dollars paid out By TIE
government, che claimants received
not more than did those pilferinp
claim agents. Some of them did bust.
ness on a large scale in Memphis. and
the adjacent territory. Before
leave this subject, | wish to and shall
show up q or two of these indiyid.
uals. ln times gone by it was not un.
usual for congressman to interesl
themselves in the schemes of thes,
agents, aud her a good investment
was made. | have personal knowl
ed9e OF the manner in which a Mem
phis claim agent deliberately de
trauded, and yet this man, if
mistake not, has continued to repre-
sent a large number of Memphis
claimants. Let them continue TO EN-
ploy such az is, and congress viii
continue to reject as fraudulent thei
claims. The following is a list Of
claims rejected last week:
Mary E. D. McGregor, Tiptol
county, 1850 for supplies.
John s. Pete, Mason's depot, $60(
for property.
John W. Rosaman, Gadsden, Mad
ison county, SSl.40 for saddle, bridl
and hay.
N. w. Young, Benton county
Miss, 1870 for quartermaster storei
and commissary supplies.
VIM b. Read, Haywood county
$Sl7.60 for quartermaster stores.
2ebulon Q. Nolen, Haywood county
500 for horses.
Benj. II. Rutherford, Upton coun
ty, 1886 for property.
Charles D. Mclean, Of Memphis
$3.50 for property.
Francis NJ. Menderhall, Shelb,
cour y, 1898 for commissary stores.
NJ & Sarah L. Norton, Of Memphis
1882 So, for rent aud damages o
Suilding occupied by authorities o
be u tied States as q military prison