National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-03-28
DAMAGES VS.. COMMISSIONERS.

To the Editor.
In this mornings issue we have the letter
Of our commissioners to the President i'm
ploring him to rcconlmt the Burlington bill
back TO congress. In justice to all claims
like it that should be or should have been
done.
But look Mt the astonishing statement con-
tanned in their letter to tho President, pub
lishod in second column on page 8, March 49,
declaring that there are hundreds of claims
like this demanding equal attention, and that
are as highly meritorious and deserving; but
that they are united in determined opposition
to n recommendation to congress for any act
or law to settle these claims. That, if so, the
district government will become bankrupt,
rs 1t has no means to pay the enormous debt
amounting to millions.
In 1874 they state i'll their letter the pay
ment of these damages was stopped, and since
then no one has received u dollar for such
claim. This is true, aud tho most unjust
thing ever done to the balance of the many
sufferers by this unjust act. Justice, law, and
common sense determines their equitable
| right to that which the more fortunate ones
got who were able to present their claims and
were promptly paid.
| 1.-The commissioners are satisfied, however,
that no such relief should be given, and If 1t
were attempted would exhaust all surplus
revenues of the district and stop improve
ments for years" That's the language of
their letter quoted in to.day's paper.
| Is it possible for all outraged and injured
people, as especially embraced in this clause
of their letter, 10 remain silent under such
| injustice to those who now are and have
! been helpless ever since the settling of DANA
ges has been stopped-and in the face of all
these facts insult the justice of those who are
the unfortunates?
Wbitalyar ~ foroIhIa Nd IL
letter of this date, has shown clearly the
facts in distinct contradiction of their asser-
ton, and so far AS the surplus fund may have
anything to suffer from, we can say under a
sense of common sense that congress has ever
done better for the district than the district
has eve- done for itself, Notwithstanding her
liberality to supply what has been badly APP
piled by either gross ignorance or
other less tolerabie excuse. If all settle
ments of claims up to 1S74 were done
in justice TO the claimants, what justice,
pray. is there in declining to pay or settle
the same species of claims due the holders #
such land they amount to millions, who are
suffering and pleading and praying for their
just rewsrds2 Why. on such q declaration rs
given in the letter to the President, would
be astonished if the injured and ignored
creditors-l mean those SO cruelty and un-
justly disseminated against, do not rise in
united indignation against the remarkable
language as glven-ahu appear unuer tne
yoke of injustice to congress for any
legislation possible to ignore and forever
bury the present form of indefnable gov
eminent. Hundreds have lost their homes
and all they ever owned by this cruel injus-
tice of non-payment of damages, while for
every foot of 'board of public works i'm
provement they were forced to pay, and hay
ing borrowed money on the anticipated dam.
ages to pay their assessment bill, they have
| waited, and are yet waiting and may still
wait-God knows how long, if tho district
commissioners are to aidthem-- until they
receive their just reward, in common with
those who have been paid for the same claims.
Let US pray and work hard for any change
of so-called government. Anything will be
better. DIsGUsTED.
WASHINGTON, March &c.