Tombstone epitaph., 1890-06-07
Indian Depreciation Claims.


 dian depreciation bill reported by tl.s senate committee to whom such claim: were referred. As many of our citizen: are deeply interested in the passage o the bill we publish in full its most i'm. portant provisions:
 "The Court of Claims wi be empow cred to adjudIcate all claims for property of citizens of the United States, destroy ed by peaceable Indians, without just cause or provocation on the part of the owner, also, all claims by Indians under treaty protection, whose property has been unlawfully destroyed by white men or by Indians of another tribe, in anity with the United States: also, all offsets or counter claims 10 any claim of either of the preceding classes.
 Section provides for concurrent juris diction of United States District Courts with Court of Claims to the amount of S2 900. and United States Circuit Court concurrent jurisdiction where the amount exceeds S7,ooo, and does not exceed SIo,ooo. Such cases to be tried by court without jury.
 Section } provides that no claim re- ferred to the subdivision of section I, shall be allowed unless proved by testi- mony of witness not of he.Indian race
 Section 4 provides that all questions of limitation are waived and no claim shall be excluded because not. heretofore presented to the Secretary of the Inte- rior or other officers of department of the government, provided that no claim accruing prior to January I, 1867, shall be considered, unless the claim has been allowed or is pending prior to the passage of this act, before the Secretary of the Interior or Congress, but no case shall be considered pending unless evidence has been presented therein. All claims existing at the time of taking effect of this act must be presented within three years after the passage of the act and no suit shall be allowed after the passage of this act.
 Section 5 provides that the jurisdiction of U. S courts under this act shall be governed by the law now Tn force.
 Section 6 provides that claims shall be presented to the court by petition, ID concise and definite language, the peti- ton to be verified by the affidavit of claimant, hls agent, etc.
 Section 7 provides for serving copy of petition upon U. S. Attorney and U. $. Attorney General, and agent of Indian tribe, party to suit, and other details of legal procedure. Indians interested may appear by attorney, with the approval of the commissioner of Indian affairs. In considering evidence, afidavits, reports of special agents, etc, shall be consider ed competent, and approved unpaid claims shall have priority of considera- ton, and be regarded as prima facie cor rect unless claimant or the United States elects to reopen the case.
 Section 8 establishes rules for taking testimony.
 Section 9 provides that judgments against tribes shall be charged against the tribe, and shall be paid, first by de- duction from annuities, and if no annu- ities due or available, then from other funds due said tribe from sale of lands or appropriations for current support. Otherwise from the U. s. Treasury.
 Section 10, provides that judgments against white men shall be collected by ordinary process of law, and if their property is not sufficient the government will pay such judgments.
 Section II provides that such iudg- ment shall be final.
 Section I2 provides for transmission of lists of such final judgments to congress.
 Section B provides that all sales, transfers or assignments of claims here tofore or hereafter made, except in course of administration of descendants estates, are void.
 Section IA provides for right of appeal as prescribed by statues of the United States.
 Section E provides that all papers and records now on file relating to said claims shall be furn shed to the proper court upon its order at the request of the attorney general.
 Section I6 provides that the investiga- tions and examinations under the acts of congress heretofore in force, of Indian depreciation claims, shall cease upon the taking effect of this act.