The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1894-07-27
Especial washington Letter


There is bureau in the treasury de-
partment called the prize money divi-
sion; and it is an important division,
too. Millions Of dollars have been dis
bursed as q result of the work Of the
clerks employed there. There are
$500, 900 now in the treasury awaiting
the claims to be made by sailors in
whose behalf it is already adjudicated.
Many of them, possibly all of them, are
dead, and their heirs do not know the
money is due them, though the names
of all of them are written in the gov
ernment's books, with the amount in
dollars and cents due to each. It is
only occasionally nowadays that appli-
cations are made for awards of cash
from this deposit of treasure. Event
ually nearly all of it will be turned
over by congress to some other pur-
pose for lack Of claimants.
Prize money belongs to officers, sail
ors and marines who participated in
the capture or destruction of the yes
sci of an enemy in time OF war. During
the late civil war in this country there
were many naval engagements, and in
every victory won by the federal men,
of-war the union forces were entitled
to prize money. The same is true con-
corning their rights to their share in
the value of captured vessels. Very
many of the latter class were blockade
runners. A generation has grown to
manhood and womanhood since the
war closed, and many probably do not
realize what a business blockade run
ming was. The principal Atlantic and
gulf ports of the southern states were
guarded by federal gunboats to pre-
vent the entrance of vessels from
European countries bearing arms, am
munition and supplies to the confed-
eracy.
Some of the finest steamers ever built
were used by Englishmen for running
the union blockade during the war
British naval officers got leaves of alb
sence, during which they commanded
blockade runners. Blockade running
is a very peculiar business. There is
no penalty for it under International
law except the confscation of the ship
and her cargo. The people on board of
her are treated in all other respects as
If they were transacting Legitimate
business. At the earliest
they are let GO in peace.
The people Of this country were very
indignant with the British government
during the war; and some of our orators
until this day take every occasion to
denounce the English government and
all English individuals for their par
ticipation in that nefarious business.
But, after all, the less we say about
that the better; because during the
Crimean war United States vessels
carried supplies to Russia by way of
the Arctic ocean and the White sea.
The British put a stop to this by max
ing captures. To establish the block
ade they were obliged to patrol the
waters with battleships. The great
made a paper blockade" as
it was called. but such blockade is not
now considered an international law.
He issued announcements declaring
certain ports blockaded, but since his
time no nation has recognized such a
Blockade running is fair
for anybody, so long as he escapes cap
ture. That is the only penalty. Yes
sells engaged in such enterprises do not
60 armed. A dark night and good
pair Of heels are the conditions they
require. If one blockade runner out