The Central Nevadan. [volume] (Battle Mountain, Nev.) 1885-1907, 1891-04-30

from its subscribers in all parts OF
the Coast, States and Territories
that legitimate claims against the
Government tor Indian depredatlons
and land, postal and pension claims
iatrusted to the care of various attor-
neys snd claim agents have not been
lroperly prosecuted, or, II SO, that
the charges ofthe agents or attorneys
for fees and alleged expenses have
been so great as to leave little or
nothing fer the claimants. We
have been frequently urged to make
war upon these rapacious attorneys,
but for many reasons it is almost
to do SO in such a man.
ner as to benefit our subscribers.
We might possibly succeed in driving
dishonest or over-greedy attorney
out of the field, but his place would
be Immediately taken by another,
and The fight would be endless and
its results partially useless. We
have therefore decided, as the best
means of curing the evil, to establish
in Washington bureau OF claims,
which will take charge of all such
matters and push them to a speedy
and, in all cases where it is possible
successful issue. Mr.. John Wedder-
burn, our Washington correspond
ent, and up to the time OF his death
Secretary to the late Senator Hearst,
in which position he has had much
experience in presenting and pushing
such claims, will have charge of this
bureau and will employ all necessary
legal and clerical assistance of the
first grade, making only such charge
for thler services as will cover the
actual cost and pay him reasonable
price for the time devoted to the
work. Mr. Wedderburn is known
to every member of the Pacific Coast
Congressional delegation, to whom
inquiries as to his standing and re
liability can be addressed. The ne
cessity for the establishment OF such
bureau is well shown by the follow
ing petition. which has been extern
sively circulated in northern Callior
mia:
To the Hon. the Senate OF the
United States, in Congress assembled
Gentlemen: The undersigned
petitioners would most respectfully
represent that We are claimants
against the Government for losses
sustained by Indian depredatlons
committed in HUMBOLDT county,
California, at different times since
1880; that we were induced TO
employ an attorney here to properly
prepare said claims, and another at
Washington by power of attorney
to prosecute them there; that We
have paid our attorney here for
making out ali papers in said claims,
besides being at considerable
expense in attending with witnesses
that examined our claims; that now
eur attorneys at Washington
(Messrs - )ars asking us to sign con
tract giving them oEe-third Of what
ever may be recovered from the
government as their fee, besides re-
quiring us to pay all accruing costs for
prosecuting said claims. This we con-
slider An extravagant and unreasonable
charge. Thsr,sprc we pray your
honorable body ~ so send .he bill now
pending before you for settling these
claims that it will embody clause
allowing attorneys such fees and COM
missions for attending to said claims
as shall be deemed just and equitable,
and your petitioners will ever be most
thankful.
Parties having claims of any kind
against the Government, will address
all letters to the Examiner Bureau of
Claims. 70 Corcoran Building, Washing
ton, d. G. where Mr. Wedderburn may
also be consulted in person.