The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-12-23
TO BE SETTLED AT LAST.
Az OLD CLAIM AGAINST THE "o'-
TRECO0NIzEDBY HOtsL.
Tbs United state. senate Expected to FOL
low suit-Firm Of ". u. lsaacs A" '"''"'
This city to lie the Ben. he'"ry'

The House in Committee OF the "no'9
has nas.ed the bill directing the Secfe-
tary OF the Treasury TO pay 10 W. DE-
Isaacs 4. Co.. OF Richmond $e'ss" / MS -
the sum declared by the Court Oh 'ia'ihS
N he due the firm as their proportionate
share OF certain gold coin seized by reu-
eral troops and turned into the treasury
Of the United States in August 800. Inc
money belonged 10 the Bank or VIZ
ginia. whose assignces. Messrs- isa"Ss
A. 60. now are. The money At the time Oh
its seizure had been deposited by the
Bank OF Virginia at Washington, Cd
for safe-keeping.
THE action OF the Committee OF the
Whole. IL is thought. ensures the passase
OF the bill through both houses al the
present session
The firm OF W. Il. Isaacs & Co., re-
ferred 10 in the above telegram consist
ed Of the late W. B. lsaacs, Sr.. MI
". q. Taylor. the proprietor OF the + on
ticel0 Spring. in Manchester. ana MI
John C. Williams. In order TO ascertain
what information l could gather on the
subject. ! called on Mr.. ". q. Taylor al
his office. on Msin near Seventh street.
last evening. and found That gentleman
very kindly disposed toward satisfying
my curiosity
MIR. TAYLOR'S EXPLANATION.
When Richmond was evacuated. said
Mr.. TAYLOR. the banks Of this city re-
moved their gold further South. About
that time the Confederate States desired
TO make a loan OF S30.0lo. and applied
90 these banks. Having been refused by
these institutions. the Confederate states
next applied to the State Of Virginia with
q similar request. where they met with
better success. Subsequently, the sum OF
about $4,000 OF the gold Of the Rich
mond banks was stolen by troops from
Tennessee. but Of this amount about 800
0)O was afterwards recovered by Federal
troops. and by them sent 20 Washington.
h. e.. where 10 was turned into the United
States Treasury
For a good many wears the matter has
been pending in Congress. where an
effort was made 10 have this money re-
turned 90 Virginia An understanding
was finally reached by which the entire
matter was referred 10 the Court Of
Claims in order 10 ascertain who was
entitled 20 the money. This court having
rendered It's decision. House bin No. ll2i
was introduced IN the House OF Repre-
the Fifty-fourth Congress. This bill. en-
titled. "A bin 10 execute the findings
OF the Court OF Claims" was first re-
ferred 20 the House Committee on War
Claims. by whom 10 was reported favor
ably in due time. The bill was then. on
January q. lN6. committed TO the COM
mittee Of the Whole and ordered 10 be
printed.
When the bill came mp recently FOR cen
sideration in the Committee Of the Whole.
the following report. accompanying the
BILL was submitted by Mr. Mahon from
the Committee on War Claims:
THE REPORT.
The Committee on War Claims. 10
whom was referred House bill No. 1924
entitled "A bin TO execute the findings OF
the Court Of Claims" respectfully re-
port the same and recommend that il do
pass.
The bill provides that the Secretary Of
the Treasury shall pay 10 william b.
lsaacs * co. the sum of Sl6.qs7.Ss. the
same being the amount. found by the
Court Of Claims 10 be due 10 the said
William s. Isaacs 6 co. in their suit
against the United States No. 1867.
Inc principal facts are these: Certain
BANKS OF Virginia sent their coin TO
the town OF Washington. in the State
OF Georgia, for safe-keepng, and after
the war, to-wit, on the I'D OF August.
l>oo the sum OF about 100000 was taken
possession OF by the troops sent 10
Georgia after the war. The Union gen
erals commanding in the South and in
Virginia had given 10 the claimants
protection and safe conduct Of their
money from Washington to the CITY or
o. pm
above named was taken possession OF by
tho Federal troops which was covered
into the Treasury.
"A controversy having arisen as 10
the ownership Of this specie. Congress
passed joint resolution directing the
Court OF Claims to ascertain and report
who were the owners of the coin in
question. They reported that the Bank
OF Virginia. whose assignoes the claim
ants are
THE COURTS FINDING.
WAS the equitable owner OF a part
OF the fund in the Treasury proper
Tomato TO the amount which it contrib
utcd' thereto. such proportionate part
being the sum Of S16ss7.Ss. The claim
therefor. and the right Of property
therein passed. and is now owned by the
claimants In this suit who are equitably
entitled 10 the same.
The remainder Of the fund being the
sum OF 81, go. 20. Is the property OF the
United States. the title never having
passed 20 said banks. and the claimants
not having devised any claim or title
in and through said judicial proceed
ings. BY THE COURT"
June %. lS93.
Thus IL appears that neither the
United States nor any other party has
the slightest claim 10 said sum or 49,
es7.sS and that il Is the rightful prop
erty OF the claimants. Therefore. we
feel that the Government IS In duty
bound 10 return this money 20 the just
owners thereof. as ascertained by the
Court Of Claims. Therefore. your com
mittee recommends that the bin do pass
without amendments"
Through tho energy. zeal and ability
Of Mr.. Claude A. Swanson. member or
Congress from the Fifth district con-
tinuod Mr. Taylor. this claim has at
last been favorably acted uDon by the
House in Committee Of the Whole. Mr..
Swanson has already justly earned the
reputation Of being q very energetic
and able representative. and nothing IN
his care remains unattended TO.
Senator Thomas :. Martin will take
charge OF the measure while II Is before
the Senate.