The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-04-15
Loyal Claimants.
Nine Hundred Millions of Dollars OI
Claims now Before Congress-.

CLAIMS now IbeIOFc congress-
From the Ne,c York .Sim:
WASHINGTON, April 6.-When the Republi-
cans had possession of every branch of the
Government, after the close of the civil war,
they paid out of the Treasury more than one
hundred millions of dollars to so-called loyal
claimants, - who protested TO have furnished
supplies to the Union armies, and TO have
suffered injury from them in the South. 1t is
notorious that large part of these claims had
passed into the hands of Ring of jobbers
and SPECTATORS. and that no scrutiny worthy
of the name was exercised in the accounting
offices, where they were audited and allowed.
The whole legislation was a stupendous job.
After the Democrats got the House of Rep
resentatives i'll 1873. the utmost care was used
in examining these war claims. under the d.
rection of Mr. Eden then Chairman of that
committee. The record shows that very few
of this class were tavorably reported, and
those that Mr.. Eden recommended were rare
" contested in the House, not only from con-
tidenee in his character, but because of the
general belief that every claim was thorough
~ sifted.
In the last six or eight months over II, 600
of these claims have been presented, most of
them doubtless fabricated, and aggregating
many millions of dollars. The law is about
eXpiring under which they could be received,
and the lobby provided for this lost chance by
an organized movement. Half a generation
has passed away since the war terminated in
which these claims are alleged to have Origi
mated. During all these years nothing was
heard of their existence. The Ring did not
dare to 90 before Democratic House for fear
the frauds might be exposed. But when the
Republicans got control, thousands of claim
ants suddenly swarmed around Congress, and
have been vehemently demanding millions.
The private claims now before the House
Of Representatives are estimated to foot up
nine hundred millions of dollars! And they
are still coming in by the CARLOAD. Some Gu
rious facts we're disclosed during the recent
debate ia the House on the proposition TO
send these claims to the Court of Claims, IN
stead of adjusting them at the Quartermaster-
Generals office.
Mr.. Blackburn charged that claimants had
been regularly blackmailed by clerks in the
Offices who audited the claims, and he stated
tina, ''some sixty odd evidences were in his
own hands showing this outrageous extor-
ton. He read receipt from one of the black
matters, who had been chief of the examin-
ing division of the Department, for five per
cent on awards made in his official capacity.
This practice has long been notoriously
common ON almost all claims before the de-
partments An outsider Is the usual interne-
diary between the claimant and the clerks.
Bet in the cases cited BY Mr.. Blackburn. the
insiders appear to have carried on the bust
meas directly. without any form OF interven-
ton.
In opposiug a reference to the Court of
Claims, Mr.. Reed cited an illustration where
the Government had been sWindied oct OF
S2Ei. 0.il by the COLLISION of its own officers
With the claimant. In commenting upon the
case, the Court said:
.Af OF the cotton captured IN the Ieche
country amounted TO only 6, 600 bales or there
about, aud 1t seems mos improbable that tins
firm Of Bcllocaue. Nohl0ru 4 Co. could have
been the owners OF factors Of aanre than two
thirds Of H. But the Law officers Of the Coz
eminent, Who are responsible for she defence,
and who have access to Col. HolSbird ; &C
counts. which the Court has not. are satisfied
upon this point; and the CoaTt. therefore, has
No reason Tor iuterp0sing 20 a recovery doubts
81 it, own.
Here is almost > specific charge by the
Coart against the law officers of the Govern
,ncus 81 sarrenderimg the interest they were
sworn TO protect, with clear implication OF
corrupt motive. It thus appears, If these
claims arc audited in the ..reseai Offices, they
arr exposed 60 hlackmall Aud II they arr
sent to the court they are exposed 10 cossa-
siou-
Thess examples serve to show the demor-
allied condition Of the whole public service IN
every department Long continued posses
sion o. power. added 20 the bsleful influences
u a eseas civil war, has corrupted our politics,
lowered the tone u pabhe life, and made
spoiiafioH a recognized profession. The rule
Is everything Tor the party, the success Of
which means that the leaders and managers
shall have FIVE run in the Treasury, and that
the ..workers'' shall he rewarded with Offices.
To what extent this highway theory may be
carried vas demonstrated in ls7d. when the
Presidency was stolen 0atright, and the Re
publicAns Threatened ciyl var II an attemp,
was made n SEAT the choice Of the people m
the White Hoase. Reform Is possible, IN enc
uav. and that j. go elect President Who wall
restore the tsGycrnment 81 lis ancient integrity.