The record-union., 1896-08-12
CALIFORNIA War CLAIMS.
The Government Owes Us Nearly
$4,OOO,OOO.
congressman Johnson's Plan to Secure
Payment-Gratifying Informa-
neutrality-suspicious..

Hon. Grove L. Johnson, as Congress
man from the Second Congressional Dis
Lriot of California, has taken an active
and leading interest in trying to secure
a reimbursement from the United States
sums of money heretofore expended by
her on account Of the Indian and rebel
lion war claims of this State.
Having tried several methods by
which to obtain a recognition and pay
ment Of these war claims. on May 15,
1896, he introduced In Congress House
soint Resolution, No. 1885," and had the
same referred to the Committee on Judi
ciary, to which he duly submitted a
printed argument as published in the
'Record-Union" of June l, 1896.
In addition Mr.. Johnson, on May 2S,
1896, addressed letter to the Secretary
Of the Treasury, transmitting him a
copy of said resolution, and requesting
q report upon it. The Secretary referred
Air. Johnson's letter and resolution to
the Auditor for the War Department for
8 report. This report was not made to
the Secretary until July 6, 1896, which
the Secretary transmitted under date of
July oath, to Mr.. Johnson, by whose
kindness we are now enabled to publish
the correspondence, which is of high
value and first interest to the whole
State.
Upon his return to Washington next
December Mr.. Johnson intends, he says
in response to inquiries upon the sub
Ject, to leave no proper effort untried to
secure for California the early payment
of all these claims, so long and justly
due this State. The Correspondence re-
ferred to is as follows:
rebellion War Claims. Act of July u,
1861.
House of Representatives, United
States. Washington, May q, 1896.
Hon. Secretary of the Treasury,
Washington, d. C.-Sir: I have the
honor to transmit you herewith copy of
House Joint Resolution, No. 1S5, intro
duoed in the House by me, on May 10,
1885, the object Of which is to declare
the intent and meaning of the Act of
Congress, entitled, "An Act to indemnify
the States for expenses incurred by them
in defense of the United States" ap-
proved July q. 1861 Q2 U. S. Statute,
page 276), declared by the joint resolu-
ton of Congress approved March g.
1862, to apply to expenses incurred as
well after as before July q, 1861 az
u. s. Statutes, p 616).
Wherefore L respectfully request that
said resolution may be carefully ex-
amined by your department, and that [
may be informed by you whether your
department sees any valid reason why
the same should not be adopted by Con-
gress.
Should said resolution be adopted by
Congress and become law, whether
rebellion war claims of the States Of Cal
ifornia, Oregon and Nevada could not
hereunder be settled. adjusted and re-
ported to Congress by your department,
said claims being the same as those re-
ported by the Secretary Of War to the
Senate In Senate Executive Documents
10. II and II, Fifty-first Congress, First
Session.
I respectfully request your immediate
consideration of this matter, and re-
turn to me this communication when
making q reply hereto. and oblige. Very
respectfully yours,
GROVE L. JOHNSON.
Treasury Department. Office of the
Secretary of State, Washington Cd.
c., July "a, 1896.
Hon. Grove L. Johnson, House of
Representatives-Sir In reply to your
communication of May 2S. 1896. in re-
card to claims of States for expenses in
CURED in defense of the United States
in the war of 1S61-1S65, have the hon
or to transmit herewith for your infor-
nation copy of report thereon by the
Auditor of the War Department, dated
the 9th inst. Respectfully yours,
w. E. CURTIS,
Acting Secretary.
Treasury Department Office of the
Auditor for War Department, Wash
ington %. c., July 6, 1896.
6. July 6. 1896.
To the Honorable the Secretary of the
Treasury-Sir: I have the honor to re-
turn the copy of Joint Resolution No.
1S5, H. R., Fifty-fourth Congress, first
session, relative to the claims Of States
against the United States, war 1861
1865, transmitted to you by Hon. Grove
l.. Johnson, House of Representatives,
on May 28, 1896, and referred to this Of
fee on the 1st prox. for examination and
report.
The resolution proposes to declare the
intent and meaning of the Act of Con-
eress. entitled AN Act TO indemnify
The States for Expenses incurred by
them in defense of the United States"
8DEToFSu u uAJ -At AoONS s~A-~ NS-'N>~@--
plates the reimbursement to the several
States any cost, charge or expense of
any kind or character incurred by them
under the laws of their Legislatures
respectively, for the purpose named, in
Guiding interest on moneys borrowed,
discount, brokerage and expenses OF
loan commissions, repelling raids, coast
defenses, extra pay and bounty to vol
ve,,+eare militia or other State troops
whether mustered into the service OF
the United States or not; and that sim