New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-03-07
SOUTHERN WAR CLAIMS.
SOU HFKN WAX tTIhIN-.
KINDLY TREATED BY THIS IIOU;E-SOME OF TIFF.
BILLS.


Washington, March @ (Special.-Thc marked con-
sideIatlon with which southcra claims are treated
By this House OF Representatives Is In striking con
trast to the indifference and neglect with whth Inc
claims Of disabled veterans Of the and the widows
OF veterans treated. The House has adopted a
rule which sets apart Friday evening Of each week
for the consideration OF private pension bills and bills
TO political disabilities and charges OF deser-
ton. Three such sessions have been held thus far.
but not single bill has been passed, for the rcasOn
that quorum was not In attendance at any OF the
sittings, and this, fact enabled single member 10
prevent the doing Of anything. Last Friday night II
was Mr. Kllgore the Texas kicker who did this.
1t is extremely difficult to obtain quorum at an
evening session. and advantage Is taken of this by
the southern Democrats Bills for the payment Of
Southern claims, on the other hand. are not thus
DISTRACTED. No less than FIVE Of them were passed
by the Committee Of shc Whole last Friday The
total carried by these bills 5'j3 35y They
passed By the votes Of less than quorum Of
The House. but neither Mr.. Klleorc nor any other
southern Democrat offered an objection.
An inspection OF trc private calendar Of the House
shows that Of 800 bills the titles Of which there
given, no less than oil, or twoihrds OF the entire
number. bills for the payment Of claims nearly
all Of which from states that took part In the
Rebellion These bills oil reported by single
committee, which consists Of thirteen members. II
appears that seventy nre Of the bills reported by
Mr. stone, Of Kentucky, and thrty-slX by Mr.. EnlOe,
Of Tennessee. These industrious statesmen, therefore,
have done about onela OF the work Of the Committee
War Claims at this session. Mr.. stone reported
sevcnty-nne bills, carrying a total Of several million
dollars in fifty four working days, average q
about and One-haf bills for each day. Probably
this record has been surpassed In the history Of
Congress.
In addition to the claims on the private calen-
dor there stands at the head OF the calendar OF the
Committee OF the Whole general BILL introduced and
reported By Mr. Enloc, Of Tennessee, to authorize the
Secretary Of War TO cause to be investigated and to
provide for the payment Of all claims for the and
occupation OF church and school buildings and grounds
for Government purposes by the United states military
authorities during the late and all claims resulting
from the appropriation 10 Government use Of any Of
the furnishings materials in said class OF buildings.
This BILL which will undoubtedly pass the House
carly day. proposes 10 open the Treasury for the pay
ment Of IA large class Of war claims, amounting In the
aggregate to many millions OF dollars.
One OF the bills passed on Friday carries 8pprO-
pratiOn OF $4,000 for the benefit Of college In fen
Dessee, although the report recommended the payment
Of only - 800. The report says: 1.-THE evidence fully
shows that a conservative estimate Of the damage
the grounds, buildings, furniture and apparatus would
place the loss at not less than $4,000, and that the
further sum Of 5000 would be moderate compensa-
ton for the use and occupation OF the premses.'
"Wach Dog" Holman in his scat when this bill
was passed. and he offered no objection.