New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-28
Made by Colgate & Co.,
Used by the best families,
1906 Laundry Soap.
SOUTHERN WAR CLAIMS.
A VAST SUN DEMANDED BY THE COTTON
STATES.

AppBEy1ENsroN-PRooF or LOYALTY NO
LONGER REQuIRED-AN EXHAUSTIVE
AND EFFECTIVE SPEECH BY
MR. BURROWS
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuSEI
Washington May 27.-The zeal of the Commit
tee on War Claims of the House OF Representa-
tlves in behalf Of Southern claimants has car
red II so far as to excite the fears OF even some
influential Representatives from the South ana
cause them TO demand that halt shall be
called. This fact became clearly evident on
Friday in the course of the debate on reso-
luton reported by that committee directing the
Court Of Claims to adjudlcate no less than NIFTY
seven claims for cotton destroyed. property oc-
cupied etc. by the Union forces in single dis
trict Of South Carolina in the war. The aggTe-
gate Of these claims is 81, 100000. SO good law
yer as Judge Culberson, Of Texas. contended that
the effect OF the resolution would be to require
the Court Of Claims not only to investigate and
report the facts in relation to these claims. but
also to render Judgment; and this contention was
not seriously disputed. 1t was also cohtehdeu
that under the terms of the resolution no PROOF
Of LOYALTY could be required of the claimants,
but the members Of the War Claims Committee
insisted that this was not true. and that proof
I
claimant. On this question Of loyalty in the Cot
ton States during the war Mr. Sayers. OF Texas.
who is chairman of the committee on Appropria-
tons. offered some observations which. coming
from such a source. were as important as they
were pertinent and interesting. Among other
things he said in reply to a question by Mr..
Stockdale Of Mississippi:
81 will state to the gentleman very frankly
when he comes to the question Of loyalty Of the
Cotton States Of this Union during the war, the
oren and avowed loyalists could on an average
be counted on the five fingers in the different
communities Of these States"
THAT is not the question" replied Mr.. Stock
dale.
Yes. It is" responded Governor sayers at
has been nearly thirty years since the Civil War
ended and since the things complained OF &C.
Cured and II is not always easy. as we all know
to establish proof at this late date. 1t is my be-
lief founded on observation that in the Cotton
States Of this Union which were engaged IN war
against the Federal Government from 1860 To
1865 there were not an average more than I'VE
men to the community who were loyal TO the
Union during the entire time and openly refusing
aid and comfort TO the soldiers Of the Confeder-
acy."
This statement. deliberately made and repeated
by a Southern man. who was himself gal mt
Confederate soldier. is entitled TO great weight.
1t is no wonder that Southern members who nave
any regard for the future financial security OF
the Government are appalled, by the number ana
enormous aggregate OF southern war Claims au'
are ready 10 cry halt. The feature OF frluay
debate was an exhaustive and effective speech Dy
Mr. Burrows. Of Michigan. who has carefully
and thoroughly investigated this subject &C
cording TO his figures the aggregate amount or
war claims pending before the Court or Cleim,
amounts TO $500 10000 and according to recent
report from Assistant Attorney-General Dodge
about s25 900 Of these are subject to adjudica
ton as well as investigation There are aiso
pending in the executive departments. ACCORDING
10 Mr. Burrows Southern private war claims
amounting in the aggregate 10 $l4l. 1900 and
claims OF States amounting 10 about $W"O,V'J
more These figures do not include claims ior
the refund Of the cotton tax amounting 10 ~
900 000 bill for tho payment OF Which was IA
vorably reported from the House Committee on
the Judiciary in the last Congress. or claims
amounting to about fl1 900 on the fund arts
ing from the sale of captured and abandoned
property which is deposited in the Treasury
The combined aggregate Of these severa! sums
is about $500. 900 600. The argument made by the
advocates OF the payment 81 these war claims
that only to 10 per cent Of the amounts claimed
,s found Justly due upon adjudication does not
put the claimants In very falr hght' Du'' on
The contrary casts heavy cloud Of doubt and
suspicion upon the claims that pass muster as
well as upon those that are disallowed and re-
jected
In the course Of Fridays debate n statement
was made by Mr.. Bartlett. Of New-fork, when
ought 10 arrest the attention or the country ana
| result in a searching inquiry into the methods
! and practice Of the Court of Claims After ask
| ing Governor Saycrs whether wnen the issue OF
LOYALTY or dlsloyaty arises in the Court or Claims
| the attorney for the Government ever offers
| proof Of the dsloyaty Of Claimant. Mr.. Bart
| lett said:
my understanding is that the loyalty Is per
functorily proven that there is no issue reaily
| raised no evidence of disiAyaity submitted.
The resolution from tho Committee on war
Claims was not disposed Of Friday and a me-
| ton offered by Governor Sayers 10 lay IL on the
| table was pending when the House adjourned.