The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-01-29

After long years Of patient waiting.
there seems some chance of the Govern
ment doing now what it might have done
generations ago. Last week the President
signed the bill sending the French Spoia-
ton claims to the Court Of Claims. This
closes the first chapter in n history that
extends over four score and ten wears. The
original benefciaries are all long since
dead. and their grand children and great
grand children are the present claimants.
Let us hope that now that justice has
threaded through the labyrlnths of the law
makers, it will not have to outlive future
generations before it gets out Of the hands
Of the lawyers. The bill which has become
law makes no appropriation to pay the
claims. 1t only provides way to ascer-
tain what they are by proceedings in the
Court of Claims. These claims arose from
seizures and reprisals on the high seas by
American and French ships of war and
privateers between 1898 and 1898. The
terms of the French-Ameriean treaty of
1900 1901, as generally Interpreted. stipu-
late that each government shall adjust the
claims of its own citizens. A bill appro-
priating So, 900, 900 to satisfy these spoia-
tion claims, without reference to interest,
was passed by the United States Senate
about fifty years ago butnever became flaw.
Since then forty odd committee reports
have been made upon the subject. and only
three were adverse. Twice has Congress
passed bills for there Of the claimants,
and each time has been vetoed by the Pres
idents, once by President Pierce and once
by President Polk. Among the earnest
advocates Of the claims were Rufus Choate,
Henry Clay, Charles Sumner, the latter of
whom estimated the amount Of the claims
at ST., 900, 900. 1t is mentioned as a note
worthy fact that the first report in their
favor was made by Andrew Gregg, who
was the grandfather of Andrew Curtin,
the Chairman of the House Committee of
Foreign Affairs who submitted the final
and triumphant one. Begun with Grand
father Gregg, the case has triumphed in
the last years of his Grandson Curtin
The benefits of the act will go to the grand
children Of the original claimants. The
history of the case shows that over 50 per
cent. of these claims are still held in the
hands of the descendants Of those originally
entitled to them. 1t is mot posi-
BILE at this late time for the entire
amount can. be proved up, as many
OF the families, through poverty and the
lapse of time, may be unable to either
present OF prove up their cases.
The findings of the Court will not CON
stitute a judgment, but it is understood
that Congress will promptly pay whatever
the urtmayaward Gov Curtin is anxious
to secure some supplemental legislation,
and will introduce soon bill providing
for the pay OF a person to act for the Gov
eminent in protecting the poorer claim
ants from the hands OF spectators. He
says from thirty to forty per cent. of the
claimants are too poor to look after their
own interests. He thinks it the duty of
the Government to bear this expense for
them, and to see that competent person
is appointed and paid to look after them.
The bill which has just become a law
possesses a considerable local interest in
.asmuch as some of our citizens will be the
beneficiaries by Inheritance. Among
those whom we have. heard mentioned are
Capt. W. H. Fowle. Mrs. G. G. Wheat,
Mrs. Chesleg Kinney, Miss Ellen Guigon.
n,,1 Nue. n TIL.