The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1896-04-16

Of 1894, 594. 10 from the federal govern.
ment for moneys found to have been
paid by the state for war claims prior
to 1874. No part of this money was
for claims for which certificates had
been issued. Referring to the claims
represented by these certificates, Mr..
Heard says in his report: 1.-The pres
emit condition of affairs, in this regard,
may be thus stated The government
is not authorized under existing laws,
to pay any of said claims, unless and
until they shall first have been paid by
the state, and paid under such condi-
tions as are provided in said REIN
bursement laws. On the other hand,
even if the state desired to pay all of
said claims, she could not pay one
dollar on them under the prohibition
contained in the present constitution. 4"
l frequently receive old Missouri
"scrip" or defense warrants" from
parties in different portions of the
country, who insist upon me sending
them cash therefor. When they hear
from me that it is of no value, many
want to know why Missouri is re-
p~udiating outstanding valid claims
against her. Perhaps the history
connected with the issue of this scrip
might be of interest.
On the cd day of May, 1861, the leg
islature convened in extra session in
response to a call by Governor G. f.
jackson. An act was passed providing
for the enrolment Of all male citizens
of the state between the ages Of IS and
40 into the Missouri State Guard, &"
"for the defense of the state of Mis-.
souri, against all her foes" Authority
was given the governor to borrow
money, and to issue Estate defense
bonds" for the payment of expenses of
the state militia to the amount of'one
million dollars. Subsequently Gov
ernor Jackson removed from Jefferson
City to Neosho, Missouri, with as
many of the members of the legislature
as were in sympathy with the south
ern c~onfederacy, and at a meeting of
the legislature there assembled, au-
thority was given the governor to issue
scrip in payment Of salaries and ex-
penses of the state guard. General
William Shields, who was at that time
a member of the governors staff and
cashier of the State Bank at Lexing-
ton, was appointed commissioner of
the state, and under the authority of
the deposed state government, issued
many thousands Of dollars Of this scrip
which was countersigned by Governor
jackson. No record has ever been
found to show how much of this scrip
was issued, no limit seems to have
been observed as to the amount. Much
of it is now held by citizens of Mis-
souri, and other states, in fact most Of
1t was issued by Governor Jackson
while holding his headquarters at the
st. Charles Hotel at New Orleans. 1t
Ia entirely worthless, except as a sou-
venir Of the war period. Its redemp-
tion Oh payment is prohibited by sec
| ton four Of the fourteenth amendment
to the constitution of the United
States, which provides that neither
| the United States nor any state shall
assume or pay any debt or obligation
Incurred in aid of instruction or re-
bellion against the United States. or
any claim for the loss or emancipation
OF any slave, but all such debts. obi
cations and claims shall be held illegal
and void"
Hon. Joseph Brown, the present au-
| ditor at 6t- Louis. was mayor Of that
Ecity during the great panic Of 1873.
have a recent very interesting letter
from him concerning the finances Of
that period and the old Brown
backs. from which ! quote; Sin
Fi678 as you are possibly aware. silver
was demonetized almost before the
country was aware of it, some Of the
Omitted States senator's who voted for
Eit not knowing what they had done,
<he result was . panic I'd the sf}ut-
~