The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-06-07

Sc began early In the present century aiio
may be charged against men then IN puo-
lie ne mor- conversant tnan we can Do
with tho facts Involved and whose nom
esty and sense of right ought TO be Sc
cure from suspicion. As early as 1902
committee Of representatives reported
the facts connected with these claims,
but apparently without recommendation.
80 acton was taken on the report In
1903 the resolution declaring that indem-
nifty ought 10 be paid was negatived by
a vote OF the same body a favorable
committee. report was made I'm 1871, but
IL seems that no legislative action re-
suited. In 1918 an adverse report was
made to the Senate. followed by the pas
sage OF a resolution declaring that the re-
lief asked by memorialists and oet.ion-
era ought not 10 be granted in 1872 and
again in 1875 adverse committee reports
ON the subject were made 20 the House
concluding with similar results. The pre-
surrrtlon against these claims arising
from such unfavorable reports and reso-
buttons and from the failure OF Congress
to provide for their payment at time
so near the events upon which they are
based cannot be destroyed by the inter-
ested cry OF injustice and neglect OF the
rights Of our citizens.
ElRNI BlLlS L ts'sLG.
Until 1916 these claims were from
time 10 time pressed upon the attention
Of Congress with varying fortunes, nut
never with favorable legislative acton.
In that year, however. a bill was passed
for their ascertainment and Satisfaction
and nu million OF dollars appropriated
for their payment. This bill was vetoed
bv President Polk, who declared that he
could perceive no legal or equitable
ground upon which this appropriation
can rest
"This veto was sustained by the House
Of Representatives,.
"Nlne years afterwards and in 1890
another bin was passed similar TO the one
last mentioned, and appropriating Tor
the settlement OF these claims IKE
sum of money. This bill was also vetoed.
President Pierce concluding a thorough
discussion of It's demerts with these
words. In view Of what has been salu
there would seem 10 be no ground on
which 20 raise q liability or the Oniteu
states unless IL be the assumption that
he United States are 10 be considered
the insured and the guarantor OF an
claims Of whatever nature which any IN
dividual citizen may have against for
egn nation
,aThis veto was also sustained by the
House OF Representatives.
~ think that il wifi be found that In
au bills proposed for the payment OF
these claims the sum % be- Appropriated
for that purpos., dld not eyceed nve mll-
lions of dollars It rs now estimated
rhat those already passe upon Win those
.fIu nerdinf, for eXamhatiOn IN the Court
nf claims may amount TO twenty-five
millions of dollars This indicates either
thaf the actual sufferers or those nearer
to them ln time and blood than the pres
ent claimants unGcresumated thelr losses
0r that there has been a great develop
ment In the manner Of their presentation
MISUNDERSTANDING persistent eIorts 10
secure payment from the 1oVeIhinen'
and The imp0rtunlty OF those Interested,
no appropriation has ever been made
Tor that purpose except a little more
.han 81. 10000 which was placed in
the general deficiency bill IN the very last
House OF the session Of Congress on
March 3 1891
TIE INSURERS.
"1n the long lis, OF benehciarles who
are provided for i'm the bin now before me
on account OF these claims one hundred
and ffftv-twO are representatives Of ships
,,1 their cargoes and one hundred and
,i.,bf,--ix Of those who lost as insurers
of vessel or carg0es These insurers by
terms of their policies undertook ana
~greed TO bear and take upon themselves
au risks and perils of seas, men-oi-"ar,
fire enemies. rovers. thieves. lettl-
eo, letters OF mart and counter
r.or+ surprlsals. takings al sea,
,sstrainfs and detainmcnts OF all
tings rrinces or people OF what nation,
condition or quality whatsoever. Inc
nra,ninus received on these policies were
large. and the losses were precisely tnose
within the contemplation or tne insurers ?,
II is ycsl known that the business OF
Insurance is entered upon with lhe eAp'o-
tation that premiums received WIZ Pay
au losses ard yield pfoni lo l''". :.
a1dition and vet. without showing tha'
the business did not result III pIoNe ~
chose insurance claimants. n i5 proposTu
.bat tbe government shall indemnify them
o,-,,,t the nreclse risks they undertooA'
notwithstanding the fact that the money
on, ~onriated IS not 10 be pald except %
o., ~ eratultv-'paymen as OF grace
81 nor Of right Appropriations 10 IN
1srnify against insurance losses rest up
81, weaker grounds II seems TO me than
tboo ~ owners but in sight OF al Ia -
.ho faots and circumstances SURROUNDING
.boee enoliation claims, as tney a.
oI,irood none Of them In my opiilon
eSo,,ll be raid by the government
ANOTHER ITEM.
"Another item in this bill which seems i.
n me- especially Objectionable y 'ne az
nrorrlstion in favor OF Charies +, mo-.
toau survivor etc, OF one hu'o'e ,l S.,1
seventv-four thousand, -FOUR huiui 20 ~ =.
fortv-fve dollars and eVenty-hNe oe.'.' -, -
ell Subsection OF All Claims a. l,,,,,
80 ne construction OF the ironclad see'iiA
battery LtlaD. .,,, oors,rnctfon Of
.,+,erv was made by the Govern
,.ith Charles W. McCoId curing
80. ana ne vas 20 be paid thsfe.
e .t.. e,,ro az Sgsf.O0o He was p'1lu
..t. ,,,,, and s2i0o9t for extras, ana 10
NJ 1860 gave receipt ~ nun. iN
,. oe NcCord in bankruptcy as
-.5, to Chouteau and his associates IN
80 an claims OF NcCord against tne
80 c+atas for the precise extras TOT
80, ba had receipts IN fun TWO year
,''s(r, Chouteau brought SUIT ia tne
Co,,r, ~ Claims for such exrras anu "sn
6ofsated. cannot gather rom ti.s "
bove been able 20 gather concei.'1ns
fbfs appropriation thar u IS jus1"e" o''
any ground. ,,.., rro5eces-
lNlA my EiAAt''a-~ ~
con. ,.,.oed q bill allowing the matter
80 ba examined again by tho Court oi
claims. II the additional payment pro.
eoseb I'm this bin was made the cost ol
he baftery In question would De almost
6onhle that OF the contract price. hav'
determined 20 submit this Incomplete pre-
sentation OF my objection 20 this bA. a
once In order that Congress may ac'
thereon without embarrassment or inter-
ruptlon OF plans FOR early adionrnment'
"GROVER CLEN NELAND-