Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-02-01
Long Occupied Atten-
ton in Congress
TO BE SETTLED THIS WEEK
Interesting History of tho Great We'll
and La Albra Claims.

the senate. AT O'clOck THIS afternoon n
vote will be taken on the We'll and
LaAbra claims bill. and that much dis
cussed measure, which has been the I'M
finished business for two weeks, will be
thankfully disposed of by those senator's
who had begun TO believe that the time
consumed In its deliberation would sur
pass in length that consumed by the Blair
educational bill.
The names of these cases are probably
more familiar than the facts. Circum-
stances disclosed in the discussion, would,
IL woven into web of fiction, be deemed
almost too extravagant for belief. The
LaAbra case had for its basis silver
mine in Mexico, owned and worked by a
company having its headquarters in New
York. 1t was charged and proved before
the Mexican commission by continuous
chain Of afiidavits. that during the trou-
bles which attended the overthrow of the
Maximillian government, the Mexican au-
thorities arrested the superintendent Of
the mine, drove ont his American assist
ants, and
Took Fore ibie Possession
of the property. 1t was satisfactorily
shown that the profits OF the mine were
about q, 100000 year, and that at least
100000 in pay ore was lying on the
dump when the Mexicans took possession.
On this evidence. which WAS then unrc-
futed. Edward Thornton, the British am
bassador to the United States, who acted as
umpire, gave judgment against Mexico
for $3.50. 900. and Mexico paid the money to
the state department.
When about a quarter os this mouey
had been distributed. somebody who dId
not think he was getting his full share OBJ
tanned possession of the letter press copy
books Of the company kept at the mine and
sold them TO the Mexican government.
These conclusively showed that the mine
had never been seized at all, but that il
had been voluntarily abandoned because
the ore had been found tobe so vHlueless that
it did not pay the cost for smelling. The
whole claim was shown TO be q fabrication
Of the superintentent,who is now dead, in
spired by the establishment of the mixed
commission to consider claims Of Ameri-
can and Mexican citizens against the gov
crnments of the two countries arising out
of the war
The We'll Claim
had not even as much foundation as this.
IL was based on the allegation that a man
named Benjamin We'll, who lived in New
Orleans and was engaged in running cot
lost heavy mule train and zoo bales of
cotton, at the time when cotton was worth
nearly so cents pound, by being captured
and taken possession of by the Mexican
Liberal foice.
The proofs were complete. Sir Edward
Thornton awarded him about s250,00O in
compensation for his loss. We'll was
mixed up in business with number of
other firms scattered over the south, who
had agreed to pool their issues. Hero
again quarrel over the di. ..Osition of
the proceeds caused an examination 20 be
made OF the books aud letters of the firm,
and the fact was established that neither
mules, wagons nor cotton had ever had
existence, except in the minds of the men
who supplied the testimony on which the
award was ns,de.
Seven hundred thousand dollars OF the
amount thus obtained in these two cases
still remains undistributed. special de-
posit in gold in the sub-treasury in New
York. Four successive presidents have
told congress that the national honor dc
mands that this money should be re-
funded to Mexico, but no action has yet
been taken. The bill before the senate
provides for suit to be brought before
the court Of claims to declare the
Fraudulent Character of the Claims,
10 that the unexpended money can be paid
back to Mexico The indications are that
:: will pass the senate by unanimous vote
LIS progress in the house will be watched
with interest.
A curious fact stated by Senator Morgan
in the debate was that only a very few
hundred dollars of the $3.50, 900 distributed
under the award has reached the widow
Of We'll or the stockholders in the
LaAbra Mining company. The rest
has been absorbed by claim agents and
attorneys.
Election Contests.
The most interesting feature Of the
week will be, in all probability, a fight
against tho adoption Of the report Of the
committee on privileges and elections in
favor of Senator Dubois in his contest
with w. III. Clagett. IL is expected that
the report will be presented Tuesday by
Senator Teller, chairman Of the commit
tee, and that its immediate consideration
will be demanded Senator Stewart will
lead the attack, arguing i'm favor Of giving
the seat to Clagett; but, judging from the
position OF the committee, il is hardly
probable that the report will not be
adopted. The Call. Davidson case will
also be acted on. IL will be disposed OF
RAPIDLY, the committee on privileges and
elections having reported unanimously in
favor of Senator Call retaining his seat
After these cases are disposed Of, Mr..
Paddock intends to ask the senate 20 take
up,as continuing order.his pure food bill,
the substitute for the pure lard bill which
passed the house during last congress.
Senator Manderson purposes to bring be-
fore the senate his plan for rcarranging
the official printing, which is not so sweep
ing as the measure which the house voted
down last week. Mr. Hale's reciprocity
resolution and Mr. Stewards free coinage
measure are on the table subject 10 call.
and II taken mp at any time, may bring on
q tariff OF silver debate.
IL the report Of the committee on post
Offices and post roads in favor Of confirm
ing the nomination Of Mr.. Rathbun 90 be
postmaster of Elmira. y. &, is prcseato !,
and there IL every reason TO suppose IL
will be, Senator David B. Hill will make
his senatorial debut.
Judge Woods Case.
But by far the most interesting event
sxpsstsd durins the week will be the 1ght
suvfust the confirmation Of Judge Woo .