New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-12
PREPARING FOR A TREASURY RAID.
THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE
WANTS TO ALLOW CLAIMS FOR PROPERTY
SOLD DURING TIE WAR.

THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE
WANTS TO ALLOW CLAIMS FOR PROPERTY
SOLD DURING TIE WAR.
Washington Dec II (speciaD.-The Judiciary
Committee OF the House has made favorapie re-
mort on a bill in relation to claims arising under
the act regulating captured and abandoned prop
erty extending the time in which suit may De
brouoh 10 recover the proceeds Of such sales from
the Government. This bill would seem to open the
door for u raid the Treasury amounting "
millions Of dollars through the simple process OF
removing the disability caused by disloyaiV'
large amount of property In The states IN re-
bellion was seized during the war and immediately
after the cessation of hosttes. without regard
TO the ownership OF the property or the poh'ica'
status OF its owner. by the military anu o'"e'
Federal authorities. The law authorizing THIS sei~-
ure and sale required the proceeds to be covered
into the Treasury. A provision OF the act OF Marcn
L. 1863 took care of those who had been loyal oy
permitting them II they had been the owners OF
any such property, to prove within two years alter
the suppression of the Rebellion their claim anu
the fact that they had never given ala or coi''
fort TO the Rebellion" and receive the residue OF
the proceeds of the property sold over sSo'VU""
was covered into the Treasury. OF WHICH 'here
remains to-day about sll.OOOO.
II Is evident from the terms or the act Oh 1000
that II was not the intention Of Congress that the
title the property should be Diverted ifo'i. .ne
loyal owners. Two years after the close Oh 'ie
war were allowed them in which to prefer their
claims to the property, and because no provision
had been made by which dsloyal persons couu
prefer their claims and enforce their rights II
was commended that the seizure and sale OF SO
much Of this property belonged to disioyai per-
sons worked an absolute transfer to the Ho'erh-
ment The Southern men on the judiciary Noi'
mlttee have. however, combated this PROPOSE
tion maintaining that the fund In the treasury
was a trust fund kept there to await the oe'er,
mination of the Government whether 1t shouio
be returned to the owner OF the properly or ho'
In support Of this claim these gentlemen quote
various decisions OF the Supreme Court Oh INC
ur,se sS Ss t ssaT feef 1n
and amnesty Of July T. 1868 which IN tbsse who
had been In rebellion. and the unqualified amnesty
ggsnted under fhe noSn dsaby by Of
dIsoyay and presented the offender pei9re u,,e
besn 's Charged With treason This pardon and am
nesty says Judge Culberson. chairman OF .he So,
Has DrSpeTy o povns the
Government OF the United states during tne war
who also made a favorable report on similar Lar
frank enough to admt that f tmsy s re
malnng in the Treasury would 60 II this b ,s be-
law S to wens per though and
serted that in view OF the fact that unGrr .ns
s n@ az as the
er became ire absolute right Of s1a ne pfrst ths
Could iHs d 'SE no just withhold
| Ing the money. =, , A.. ,,,
the House and the bill shall finally become a law
IL will take from the Treasury. when democrats
| say IL even now bankrupt. upward or NlW;W.
| n sum equal to the amount to be appropriated III
the forthcoming River and Harbor bill The fact
! IL as has been shown By the Republican members
| OF the committee. that these outstanding claims
were and are now he'd almost exclusively by men
who could not prove their loyalty during the war
| Knowing that they had been disloyal. they MADE
no claim. bu, discovering later on that they were
technically through decision OF the supreme
Court. loyal. they now ask Congress TO remove the
legal bar to their claims. The only question 10
bc considered In regard 70 this blsl IS whether IL
presents "A proper and equitable cause for the re-
| moyal OF the limitations which took erect nearly
| twenty years ago. The minority report answers.
| in terms that cannot be disputed: They were IN
| fact in arms against the Government from when
| they now demand Justice Considering their num-
bers and influence IL will not be denied that they
| aid great injury TO that Government, its properly
and It's citizens Ii cannot be gansad that the very
| men now seeking this money caused tho Govern
| ment more expense and loss doubtless, than the
| amount OF property covered by this bill. Their
offence serious. and the wrong done the GOV
| eminent by them exceedingly great They have
| been dealt with generously by the United states.
| and there would to be good reason Tor
the extension OF act OF further generosity such
| az this bill contemplates The bill may pass the
| House. where there appears TO be a sentiment
| favorable all things against the ex-union
| soldier. Its fate in the Senate seems doubtful