New-York tribune., 1886-03-24
SOME MUSTK PRIV4TE CLAIMS.
TIE BILL FOR THE RELIEF OF VICTOR
BEAUBOUCHER.
IrROM SPECIAL CORREsrONDENr or THE TRIBUNEI

4 SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE IRiBuNE-l
WASHINGTON, March 23. - bill passed
by the Senate on Friday for the Ieliei OF Victor
Beanboucher is illustration OF many OF the
private claims that become musty in the files Of Con
cress. Beanboucher was French subject who serVec
IN the Union army during the late rebellion in which ne
lost a leg In recOgnit on OF his gallant services Pres
lent Lincoln made him Consul OF the nited States at
Ierusaem In the winter OF 1866 81 the colony Of mis-
guided Americans who had been led to settle at Jaia
under the fanatic lead Of the Rev. j. c. Adams, were
brought TO the verge of desttutOn. They had neither
food money, resources to procure either Beau
boucher came to their and made constant trips
between Jerusalem and Jaa and rendered all the aid he
could Prom his means he advanced altogether
50 6ls relieve their imme late necessities AMI to aid
their escape Palestine The unhappy colonists to
the number OF forty more, nearly all from Maine
declared their probation and gratitude for his services
In letter lie in the state Department They
unable TO rel ay him. aud Secretary fish recon-
nended that Congress reimburse the consul. Mr.
Sumner introduced bill granting the relief and IT was
passed IN the Senate seventeen years Beaubouchers
infrmities prevented his pushing the matter
year after year it is srl before Congress The hill
passed by Fri lay motion of Mr. Evarts
leaves the adjustment Of the amount, under fair limits
the Secretary Of state IL does not speak well for the
cOoniss that they have not Themselves repaid the consul
tut their failure to do shorld not operate against
nm. Ife does interest the claim. 1t has been
fayoraby reported TO the House.
There are now pending before single committee of
the House 1900 private claims. other than war
claims Lf which there are many thousands OF these
800 claims many are doubtless worthy than
this one of BeaubOuchers. II is impossible for any
committee to examine into all these demands In the
last Congress Committee Claims only able t"
report I63 of before it, that 1t is practical
icnla of justice the citizens having honest claim
against the Government. In report on this subject
committee says tha according to the rate az which
these bills been disposed O in the past 1t Will take
MY years 10 get rd OF thOst now Deorr 'opSrrTs lc
clam at comes and goes aud dies leaving Ills claim as
legacy cndlon for II tne claimant does no belong
10 the favored few, an Ordinary ne is ar 100 snort
tOgt ,uch bi however just, through Congress. But
bills rr-inlroduced and reprinted ia each Con
sresa In this way tine Government nas ana III twenty
h!c years FOR printing private mls alone the sum Oh
Sl3l,3l3. Aside from this expense the Committee
7aics that the 'lhe 81 eht by congress AZ e'cty
ssOn the consideration Of private ahd domestic
'aims reduced to dollars and cents 1t would he
ionnd that tnose expenses arc equL 10 Iue cialhs
allowed and probably 10 the sum claimed In those
rel1ctcd Ihe committees reports t"l II j. pol u lts
power TO give an thhs NE satisfactory examination
more than "a snail portion OF the Hass Of data
ne legislative lottery IN which gross injustice Is
DONE owing the chances Of success offered to those
SbO push grOupdless and unworthy clalns. Ine COM
judicial tribunal. which is should he done.
From statement OF accounts disalowed in tic
Treasury Department last year, transmitted 10 the
senate ia answer a resolution idea may bo gained
of how many claims before Congress originate. The
Democratic House of Representatives. cut down the
appropriation for contingent expenses for United States
Consnlates in 1888 I" a SUN much below the necessities
servce and 1t provided that fees should not he
used by cUusuis IN payment Ot cont ngent erpeuses
rne result " that cOnsls in mahy cases
compeed to ther tees to piy rent ana for other
necessary expenses The Treasury Department dis
allowed such accounts and they now stand as claims.
Ex. Minister Resident AMI Onsul- General Beni iamn had
his account cut down ~ l5O0 tor such expenses III
Persia. ET-COnsnl- General Merritt at London mas
ike claim for $4,000. and there or three hundTe
similar ones few OF winch are as follows: Consul
General Andrews, at Rio do JauCrJ, Sl625; w G.
Emmett. Charge 0d ints,7m, Turkey. S595; Consult
General FoOte. Corea, SOO Consul shaw, Manchester,
SI7S; Consul General Stabe Shanghai SO21; Consul
General Walker. Paris S2,5ll 1t is such treatment OF
the .r servi"e that has place it at disadvantage
as compared with tnHt OF other DatiOns.
Some OF the disallowod claims otIer than or consns
are interesting For instance, the members OF the Utah
Commission charged $l9O for Tashirg which they will
hardly he able to collect from the Government. United
States Marshal DUBOIS, OF IiAhO, made charge OF
e penses for persona comfort" hut the item was
di-allowci though he borrowed the phrase from the
celebrated letter winch MI Cev 'land sent to John
Kelly aud there maLy other such disaIOwed items