Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-03-10
MILLIONS IN 1T.
Mr.. GEORGE W. ATKINSON TALKS OF THE
SPOLIArION CLAIMS.
Believes the Claimants Will All Eventually Get
Their honsy-Mr. Atkinson Will Re-
sumo Practice Here.

Mr.. George W. Atkinson arrived home
from Washington, ID. c., Sunday morn
ing and Immediately repaired to his home
ON Twelfth street for a brief season Of
rest before again resuming his law prac-
tice here. Yesterday a REGISTER re-
porter was graciousy received at his
residence.
lis there any foundation for the rumor
that you are about To make Washington
the base Of your future operations"
asked the reporter.
"Well. yes. said Mr.. Atkinson, per
haps | may say there is some slight
| foundation for the report, but rather
nothing tangible will come Of IL. was
think offered law partnership in 4
prominent and long established office, Il
position Mt once responsible ana re-
muneratiye, but after due consideration
[ concluded that with all the superior
inducements | was unwilling TO sever
the associations OF home, and shall re-
main in Wheeling, whore | have so
many friends. and where hope soon TO
regain the practice which is naturally
somewhat disconnected by reason OF
my long absence from home"
"What is your opinion OF the French
spoliaton cases" asked the reporter.
IL believe the recognition OF the first
batch Of claims by Congress the other
day was but 4 split in the log, and ii is
only a question Of time when the whole
log will be laid open. There is no ques-
ton but that France paid over the mon
ey to the United States, and the people
who lost by the seizures are clearly en-
titled to IL. II is the peoples money,
and the Government has no interest in
it other than To hold the same until the
respective claims can be clearly and con
cusiyely proven
What is the aggregate amount Of
money involved in these claIms?" asked
the reporter
"This is variouSly estimated" said
Mr.. Atkinson, but ii is believed TO be
between 100000. 900 and $4,000, 900.
The batch Of claims just passed repre-
sents 81, 300, 900, and right here, let me
tell YOU. there l. an attorney In Wash
ington, Mr. William Earle, who is hand
| ling these cases almost exclusively, and
by reason OF his big commissions, he
awoke the other morning. upon the
passage Of that bill, to find himsel: from
$3.50, 600 TO S50O,0OO richer just on one
batch Of claims. In view Of the long
drawn out litigation many Of the claim
ants had little idea Of ever getting any
thing, and it is an easy matter for the
attorney 10 arrange for big commits
.sfA fra.Iantlu "a and
sionally half Of the pile. Mr.. Earle
has always felt confident that these
claims would some day get through, and
he has spent much time and money IN
legiSlating upon them. keeping three
clerks engaged all the time. Now,
after years and years of litigation, he
is just beginning to reap the fruits Of
his labOrS."
How much money DO you think will
befall the Prayer family here?' asked
the reporter.
THAT is hard TO tell, but | have an
idea that il will be considerable
amount also understand that there
are four or five other parties In Wheel
ing who will come in for share. or
course the great difficulty with these
claims is satisfactory proof. But be-
lieye the recent Congress has establish
ed precedent Oh these claims,
and am Of the opinion that
more or less of these claims. rs
fast rs they can be proved, will be
passed by succeeding Congresses. 1t is
the peoples money, aud believe il
will all get into their hands after
while. OF course. Mr. Earle will get
the mammoth slice
Dr. James Corrie, dentist in Baltimore,
writes 81 have USED DR. Bull 5 Cough Syr-
up personally and in my family for two or
three years, and am prepared TO say that
there is nothing to compare 10 II as rem
edy for cough, cold, etc" - cents.
Pains IN the bacl. are frequently caused
] ~ .-.l.lDL. IN --.- ~ lLn -IL-u.