The record-union., 1896-08-22
HOW To GET AND USE THE
MONEY.

The Oakland Tribune" says:
The Record Union" makes an extra
point in favor of the election of John
son to Congress in that district, because
he is working persistently to obtain
the payment of the California claim
against the Federal Government
amounting now to about S4,0O0O0O.
This is known as the war claim. Claims
which other States have presented were
paid BY the provision of the Act of
Congress the claims of this State were
placed on a different footing. Four
millions recovered would be a good
thing for the State. 1t might Tighten
the burden of taxation. erect buildings
for the University, secure good roads.
There would be divers ways of expend-
ing the money. The only difficulty now
ig to get it.
But the Record Union" clearly
pointed out how it can be had. The
idea originated with Mr.. Johnson, and
he can, we believe, successfully carry
it out. Heretofore all effort to have
this money paid has been made through
bills needing the Presidents approval,
which never could be secured, even if
bill making the appropriation could
be got through the two houses. Now,
the other States have received their
money under the Act Of 1861, which
authorizes the Treasury Department,
on receipt of the proper vouchers to
audit and pay the claims.
But California's service and outlay
were subsequent to the Act Of 1861.
Mr. Johnson has secured a ruling from
the Treasury Department that If Con-
gress should construe the Act of 1861
TO be broad enough to include, in fact,
as in spirit was intended when the
Federal Government asked for State as
sistance and accepted it, claims in
CURED subsequent to 1861, the Depart
ment would see no objection to treating
our claims as those of the other States
have been handled and paid.
Mr.. Johnson therefore introduced
Joint Resolution 1S5, which interprets
the Act of 1861 SO as to include vouched
and audited war claims Of California for
services rendered subsequent to the
passage and approval Of the Act Of
1861. Such power TO interpret and con-
strue its own acts, 1t is conceded that
Congress possesses. A joint resolution
does not go to the Executive for ap-
proval, and 1t is passed easily, in COM
parison to the difficulty encountered
by attempts to put through a bill car
rying a specific appropriation. That is
all there is of it.
1t is good deal, however as the
Tribune" well remarks, and means
much for California In view of the
probable success Of Mr.. Johnson, the
Legislature Of next winter should pro-
vide for the use of that money wisely
and we'll and not allow it to lie idle in
our treasury when we get it. 1t has
been suggested, for instance, that to no
better use could it be put than to ap-
Ply it to the carrying out of the sug-
gestion Of the Bureau of Highways,
that four great trunk highways be
built through California, two through
the State lengthwise and two
crossing the State. The money ex-
pended In some such works would put
the coin into circulation, give employ
ment to very large number of work.
ers for long time, and go far toward
mitigating the stress of hard times
besides, 1t would conserve a great pub
lie Improvement that will be of notable
benefit to all the people and every in
terest in the State