The morning times., 1895-08-08

The sugar bounty hearing on the claim
of the oxuard Beet Sugar Company, of
Nebraska, was begun before Comptroller
Of the Treasury Bowler yesterday
Among those present in the stuffy little
office OF the Comptroller were the Yari-
Gus gentlemen who We're 10 take part in the
argument Repr esent atives Myer and
Price, of Louisiana; several Department
officials and outside at 70 rneys; two
Louisiana sugar planters and representa-
tives OF the press.
Senator Manderson was the last of the
interested parties to reach the room and a S
he entered Comptroller Bowler said that he
was ready to hear whatever those inter
ested had to present.. -.. s.
Senator Manderson, in opening, said that
he approached the matter IN question with
a great degree of reluctance. The question
involved momentous interests Of gre at
promise in the State of Nebraska
MR. MANDERSON'S COMPLIMENT.
He was satisfied that the matter would
have fair hearing by Mr.. Bowler, and,
trusting implicitly in him he did not de-
spond the final outcome. No case had
ever been presented TO any tribunal hay-
ing more equity.
He reviewed the history of Iegisla-
tion regarding the bounty, and, refer
ring to the Mckinley law. said that I'M
der it the Government sOlemnly pledged
that if the reople would embark in the
industry of sugar producing, if they would
invest their capital in it, they would be
paid bounty.
The Oxnard Company, for whom he spe-
specially appeared, embarked, after a
careful study and in good faith. Did they
have the right to rely upon this Iegisla-
ton approved by the President? II not,
what could they rely upon? The cum
pany had lost money, which he did not
believe would have been the case had the
Mckinley law been kept upon the statute.
Congress repealed the bounty law, leav-
ing the contract violated, the industry de
stroyed and the investments practically
wiped off the face of the earth. The re-
peal of this law was unrighteous, unjust
and almost an unlawfuI exercise of Con-
gressional powers.
SAYS PLANTERS WERE BUNCOED.
The planters had found themselves bun
coed and had appealed TO Congress for a
little Justice All knew the history OF the
Wilson bill and how it was finally decided
toallow the planters a small part of their
dues.
Now we come to you, who iu a way
holds the purse strings of the Treasury,
and say pay us what you owe us. If this
be denied, said Mr.. Manderson, misery
beyond description would follow.
We are here to try, he continued. TO
cnnStrue your powers as Comptroller Of
the Treasury, not to limit them or to strain
the statute relative to them. We do not
believe that it is your intention TO enlarge
your powers beyond that given you by
the Ia W of S94, the Dockery act. Wedou't
believe you are that makeup of man.
Mr. Mauderson then passed to a review
of the law regulating the duties or the
Comptroller, aud cited a large number of
judicial authorities, reading long alb
stracts from many of them, defining the
power of courts aud persons in conStru-
ing the constituuonaHty OF law.
NOT ORDINARY CLAIMS.
These were not ordinary Claims, for
Congress had passed on the fundamental
question, and said we viii give these men
the bounty earned before the repeal Of
the act.
He believed that the Congress of the
United States, under the authority con-
ferred upon it by the Constitution, could
make a donation or gift of public money,
and that the executive authorities would
be compelled to pay it,
Mr.. Henderson referred to the Louisiana
purchase and the question of constitution
ality of the appropriation for that, which
had been decided unlawful; and he hoped
that the United States would go on conquer