New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-11-13
THE NAVY AND THE PUBLIC PURSE.
LONGEVITY PAY-cLAIIs FOR PRIZE MoNEY-LAw
DEFECTIVE.

LONGEVITY PAY-CLAIMS FOR PRIZE MoNEY-LA"S
DEFECTIVE.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 12.-The annual report
of Charles Bearsley, Fourth Auditor OF the treasury
shows that the expenses Of the Navy for the year were
sl57245O6 In reference longevity the Auditor
SAYS THE act March g. 1888, included the provisions
on this subject in the of August g. 1882 ana addeu
some additional words which, if the provision were heu
to be retroactive would much enlarge It's scope anu IT,
ouire several hundred thousand dollars TO satisfy chns
already filed. The Attorney-Genera has decluou 'n"I
neither of the acts is retroactive" The filing OF large
number of claims for mileage arising in travel performed
abroad by officers of the Navy, from 1888 TO 1874 pre-
scented strong evidence Of the prOprcty OF some htaoh
being placed by upon the prosecution Oh such sIe
demands
He SAYS "The cases referred to arise under law OF
1885 il was construed by the Attorney General the
Secretary Of the Navy and the accounting officers aud ac
quiesced by the officers Interested until the law was
repealed by legislation in 1874 Now, nearly ten years
since the repeal Of the law decisl0n OF the supreme
Court upon the construction Of law Of 1875, somewhat
similar that of 1885, mass Of claims arising between
1885 and 1874 are presented and urged under
the act Of 1885 Is before the Supreme Court ana
should Judgment be given against the Government largo
sum will be required meet claims revived after years OF
acauieecence some Of them nearly fifty years old Thls
statement OF facts shows very clearly the necessity OF
Limitation every act since the IOuuhton Il T d
Government may opened to construction Dy de-
cisOns of the Supreme Court rendered upon that Mo
conditions" 80 , - a.. =, 1,,oDoso
The act OF February % 1888 known the Japanese
Indemnity Act" making award in the mature OF prize
money 10 the officers and the Auditor says, mas
pyeu rise to class of claims for settlement requiring
more than ordinary care. OF the $4,000 awarded
Sl5 $40 has been paid scventyve claimants OF the
10 who are entitled share The time that has elapsed
since the service was rendered adds much to the difficulty
of settlement. The scanen are many OF them dead ana
their families or relatives in ignorance that anything Is
due them and in where claims have been made the
REQUIRED evidence of identity, marriage, birth, or DEATH
difficult of or entirely out or the power OF tne
claimants to produce since the majority OF the appica
tons from persons of slight education ana careless
habits These causes make IL frequently difficult 70 decide
in conflicting cases. and largely Increases the Opporuni
ties for fraudulent representations and claims every case
demanding the closest scrutiny.
These Remarks as TO the difficulty Of settlement due to
lanse of time apply fOrciby the OF the New Orleans
award The action fought in April, 1867 the award
was made W 1873; two instruments were distributed In
1874 and 1915. but third instament OF Sl43644 re-
mains due to the captOrs; and In this case absolute III
justice is addd to the Inconvenience ana expense placed
upon the claimants by delay. The award was made III
1873 Supreme Court of the District or COLUMBIA
and affirmed by the Supreme Court OF the United states
Nav g. 1875; thus 1t became debt due by the united
States III Congress does not make the necessary
appropriation very few OF the who forced the pass
age OF Forts jackson and Philip will be alive to enjoy
their DUE many widows Will suHei ana are SUFFERING Iol
want OF that which Is theirs by law