The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-02-02
IN THE SENATE.



mi Passed to Investigate the Wen and
La Abra Claims.
WAsHrroroS CRY, Feb LIN the SEN
ate Kyle gave notice that he would, on
Wednesday next, make some remarks on
his proposed constitutional amendment as
70 marriage and divorce in the United
States.
The bin to establish q first-order light
house on North head, Cape Disappoint-
ment, Washington, was passed.
The bin TO prevent the aduIteration and
misbranding of food and drugs having
moved to make IL special order for
was being considered the hour of II
o'clock arrived. and the Mexican award
bills were taken up as unfinished business.
The Mexican award bill as to the La Abra
claim was passed by a vote of 43 to g. The
bill directs suit to be brought in the
United States court Of claims against the
La Abra Silver Mining Company, and all
persons making claim to any part of the
award, TO determine whether the award
was obtained by fraud or effectuated by
false swearing. A similar bill in relation
to the Benjamin We'll claim was passed,
ouu Tic senate aulourueu.
The La Abra Silver Mining Company was or.
Eanircd In 1868, With its principle Office in New
York. 10 work silver mines In Durango, Mexico
il prosecuted the business for which IL was in.
corporated during portions of the years 1866 and
1867. Il claims 10 have expended over $4,000
on fts mining property, and that on account OF
prosecutions by the Mexican civil and military
authorities II was compelled to abandon its
property. Damages to the amount of 100000
BAD h. Sc.
government The Claims commission organ
iaed under the convention between the United
etates and Mexico of July 4. 1868, rendered an
award In favor OF the la Abra company In ls7s
The amount paid by Mexico on account Of this
award was s6Si $500 There was distributed
20 the claimants s2ao,sss06 The secretary OF
state, under an executive order, suspended
further payments. leaving a balance OF 1880
s7ol6 in the state department. This suspen-
sion Was due to the notification. on the part OF
ths Mexican government, that evidence not
within Its knowledge or control before the
awards were made. had been discovered, which
would establish the fact that the La Abra award
had been procured on fraudulent impoStions
upon the commission and government OF the
United States. Congress, in ISIS, authorized an
investigation OF the charges preferred by the
Mexican government Il resulted in a report
that further investigation be made In 1850.
congress having adjourned without making
any provision In reference TO the award
frssident Hayes directed that the Install
msnts. which had been received from
Mexico, and were then undissrbuted
b given 10 the claimant Thereupon Mexico
notified this government tina. IL would
begin suit to Get aside the award Mexico
soon after abandoned the proceedings BY virtue
Of note from Secretary Of State Eyarts which
vas regarded a. diplomatic Introduction Of the
PROPOSED suit when President Arthur came
ha an tad I'm "a
the money received from the Mexicans, ueSo-
dated convention with Mexico for tho rshear.
ing OF the case by joint convention and sent II
% the Senate While that convention was
pending in the Senate in December, 1850. John
J. Key. a. assignee Of Benjamin Well aud the
Ia Aera Company. instituted msndsmus pre-
eeedfngs In the supreme court OF the District OF
Columbia against Mr.. Frelinshuysen. secretary
81 state. 70 compel him TO distribute tho ia.
etaiimen1 Of the awards that Mexico had paid
20 the United States which had been
withheld BY direction OF President Arthur.
lhe case was appealed to the su.
preme court OF the United States, aud IFS
SECESSION diminishing the proceedings was rem
derea January :, lssA The Judgment OF the
supreme court sustained the action of President
Arthur. The failure of the treaty. which was
pending In the Senate from 1882 until lsSS LETT
70 congress the duty OF deciding what DISPOSE
don should be made of the balance OF the
swhu- 40 aeiien was taken uat0 1889, when
sns oeaa'e COMMITTEES on foreign relations had
referred TO u bin directing the attorney gen.
eral Of the unitsd States 10 erinr a suit arzInst
the La Abrs Company or its assigns TO deter.
nire whether the award was obtained hy fraud
The majority report of the committee, which
Was voluminous, was 20 the effect that the W hole
claim OF ths company was fraudulent. and rec.
cmmended the passage Of the bill The minority
report declared that the bin should Do indea-
uitely postponed. the controversy closed. and
''the treaty executed by the distribution OF the
funds In band 70 the credit Of tho STATE, II