Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-04-30
WASHINGTON CLAIM AGENTS.
The SAN Francisco Xxx MINER, Es.
tablishes a Claim Agency In
ha

WobO1n&tOus
The San Francisco Examiner is frequently
In receipt Of complaints from its subscribers
IN ali parts Of the Coat states and Terrific
ries that legitimate claims against the GOV
crnment for Indian depredatiOns aud land,
postal ami pension claims intiusted TO the
care Of various attorneys AMI claim agents
have not been properly prose cuted, or, il so.
that the charges OF the agents or attorneys
for fees ami alleged expenses have been 20
great as to leave little or nothing for the
claimants. We have been frequently urged
TO make war upon these rapacious attorneys,
but for many rcasO it is almost Impossible
to do SO in such y manner MS 10 benefit our
subscribers We might possibly succeed in
driving dishonest or over greedy attorney
out OF the heN, but his place would be i,u
mediately taken 10y another. aud the fight
would I've endless and its results practically
useless. We have therefore decided. as the
best means Of curing The evil. TO esta blish in
Washington Bureau OF Claims, which will
take charge OF all such matters and push
them to u speedy and, in all cases where it
is possible, successful issue. Mr.. John Wei
derburn, our Washington cor: espondcnt,
and up to the time of his death Secretary to
the late Senator Hearst in which post on he
has had much eXl ericnce in presenting and
pushing such claims, will have charge Of this
bureau ami will employ all necessary legal
anu clerical assistance of the first grade,
making only snch charge for their services
rea sonable price for the time devoted to the
work. Mr.. Wedderburn is known to every
| member of the Pacific Coast congres sional
delegation, TO whom inquiries as to his
standing and rcliaDi ty can be addressed.
The necessity for the establ Shment of such
| a burcali S we'll shown ty the following petit
| tion, winch has been extensively circulated
| in northern Culiforn a:
To the Hon. the Senate OF the United
| States, in Congress AsSembled-GENTlE-
| MEN: The uLdersig petitioners would
most respectfully represent thai we are
! claimants against the Oyernmcnt for loss S
sustained by Indian deprcdations committed
| III humboldt county, California, al different
| times since 1850: that We were induced to
employ an attorney here 10 properly prepare
| said claims. and another at ashing;On by
| power of attorney TO prosecute them there
| that We have paid our attorney here for max
| ing out all papers in said claims, bcS ides be
| ing at considerable expense in attending
| with witnesses the Government commission
here that examined our claims: that now our
| attorneys at Washington (Messrs. y are
| asking us to sign contract giving them one
| third OF whatever may lie recovered from
the Government as their fee, besides reauir-
| ing us TO pay all actruing costs for pros c
cutting said claims. This we consider an ex.
| travagant ami unreasonable charge. There.
fore we pray YOUR honorable body to sc
amend the bill now pending before you fol
settling these claims that it Will embOdy
clause allowing attorneys such fees ant
commissions for attending to said claims ~
shall lie deemed just anu equitat lie, and YOU
petitioners will ever be most thankful.
Pal ties having claims Of any kind agans
the Government. will address all letters t.
The Examiner Bureau of Claims, ~ Corco
ran Building Washington, ID. c., where Mr.
Wedderburn may a so be consulted in person
In frio 1,,