Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-12-26

dlcatlon OF the cases involved. The pc
titions shall be verified by the affidavit of
the claimant, his agent, administrator
or attorney. In considering the merits
of claims preeented to the court any tes-
timony, affidavits, reports of special
agents or other officers, and such other
papers now on fiie in the departments or
in congress relating to any of such
claims shall be considered by the court,
and such weight given thereto as in its
judgment is right and proper, regardless
of the technical rules of evidence in
courts of law: Provided, that all laims
which have heretofore been fsvorably
adjudicated by the secretary of the inte-
rior shall have priority of consideration
by said court, and shall be held to be
prima facie correct.
Sec. 5. That the said court she'll make
general rules and regulations for taking
testimony in causes pending therein; and
testimony shall be taken in the county
where the witness resides when the same
can be conveniently done. Every case
shall be heard BY quorum, al least, OF
tine court, and such quorum is empow-
cred to render final judgment, and all
decisions shall be rendered at the same
term at which the case may be heard,
or, at furthest, during the succeeding
term. Each of ssii judges and clerks of
said court is authorized to administer
oaths in matters arising in said court.
Sec. 6. That the said court may ap-
point not to exceed three commissioners,
who shall each be paid a salary of $1,000
per annum, and the further sum of So
per day, in lieu of subsistence and actual
travelling expenses for each day actually
employed in travelling or absent from
home upon official duty. Such COM
missioners shall have power to admins
ter oaths, take testimony, and prosecute
Investigation, aud they shall perform
such other duties as NAV be req uired by
the court and under its direction. The
encouragement shall cause the accounts
of said commissioners, itemized and
sworn to. to be audited and approved
and payment made in the manner pre-
scribed for employees of the department
of justice, and the salaries of other Off
GERS of said court shall be audited, ap-
proved, and payment made in like man
uer.
Sec. T. That the said court shall de-
termine in each case the value of the
property taken or DESTROYED at the time
and place of its loss or destruction, and
if possible the tribe of Indians or other
mitted, and shall render judgment in
favor of the claimant or claimants,
against the United States. When in the
judgment of the secretary of the interior
any of said amounts be deducted from
any annuities or permanent funds in the
hands of the United States belonging to
said tribe or tribes an account thereof
shall be kept against said tribe or tribes
and such payment snail be charges
against them and deducted from any
funds which may become due them. All
judgments of said court shall be final
determination of the causes decided, and
of the rights OF the parties thereto, and
shall not thereafter be questioned unless
new trial or rehearing shall be granted
by said court or the judgment shall be
reversed or modified upon appeal, as
hereinafter provided. Immediately after
the beginning of each session of congress
the clerk of said court shall transmit to
the secretary of the treasury a list of all
judgments rendered in pursuance Of this
act in favor of claimants against the
United States, which shall be thereupon
transmitted to congress for appropria-
ton and appropriated for in the proper
appropriation bill. All sales, transfers,
or assignments of any such claims here
tofore or hereafter made are hereby de-
claren void. and all warrants issued by
the secretary of the treasury in payment
of said judgments, shall be made payable
and delivered only to the claimant or his
lawful heirs. executor, or administrator,
except so much thereof as shall be al
lowed attorneys; and he fees to attor-
neys shall be regulated aud fixed by the
court at the time of rendering judgment
in, oph nd on I'D nf
part of the findings thereof.
Sec. s. That either party shall have
the right to appeal upon questions of law
alone to the supreme court of the United
States, and the rules governing such ap-
peal shall be the same as those now in
force relative to appeals from the court
of claims, SO far as the same may be ap-
plioabe.
9. That ali claims of the char
Rcter mentioned in this act
which shall not be presented to the
said court within three years after the
passage hereof shall be forever barred.
Sec. 10. That said court shall hold
two regular sessions each year in the
city of Washington, District of Column
bia. The first session shall commence
on the second Monday in January and
end on the goth day of June; the second
session shall commence on the first
Monday in September and end on the
goth dav of December of each wear.
Sec. IL. That there be, and hereby
Is, appropriated from the treasury of
the United States, ont Of any moneys not
otherwise appropriated, $50 900, or so
much thereof Us may be necessary, to
pay the salaries of the judges and other
officers and employees herein provided
for. aud such other expenses rs are
authorized to be made by this act,
which shall be disbursed by the disburs-
ing CLERK of the department of justice
IN the same manner in which salaries
and expenses of that department are
auth oriZed to be paid.
Sec. II. That all laws or parts of laws
in conflict with this act are hereby re-
psaled.
TAKE sasstfes&tt
Don't Forget 1T.