The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-06-07

tween itself and its citizens to pay the
claims thus rel4nquished.
Il do not understand it to be asserted
that there exists any legal Liabilities
against the government In relation to
these claims. In the term of the supreme
court just finished, the chief justice, IN
an opinion concerning them and the &C
ton of congress in appropriating Tor
their payment said; I'VE think that
payments thus prescribed to be made
were purposely brought within the cate
CORY of payments by way of gratulty-
payments Of grace and not by right"
From the time the plan was conceived
to charge the government with the pay
ment of these claims they have been
-abided in the atmosphere OF controversy.
Every proposition presented in their sup
port has been StOutly disputed and every
influence suggested In their favor has been
promptly challenged. Thus, III as much
as it must, l think, be conceded that
If a state of war existed between our
country and France at the time THESE
depredations were committed our gov
eminent was not justified in claiming IN
demnity for our citizens, 1t is asserted
that we were at the time actually en-
gagged in war with the French nation.
This position seems to be sustained by
an opinion of the Attorney General or the
United States, written in 1873, ana py a
number of decisions of the supreme court,
delivered soon after that time. we had
certainly abrogated treaties with france
and our cruisers and armed shlps Were
roaming the seas capturing her vessels
and property So, also, when II is as
serted that the validity of these claims
was acknowledged in the treaty negou-
atoms by the representatives Of France
their declarations to contrary pufport
are exhibited.
And when it is alleged that the aban-
donment of these claims against France
was in consideration Of great Dement'S TO
the government, it is as confidently al
legged that they were in point OF fact
abandoned because their enforcement was
hopeless, and that even II any Deneht
aNarnp6 n nv iQElSrance upon
their settlement in the course of diplo-
matte negotiations, such result gave no
pretext for taxing the government with
liability to the claimants.
Without noticing other considerations
and contentious arising from the alleged
origin of these claims, brief reference
to their treatment in the past and the
development of their presentation may be
useful and pertinent.
1t is believed somewhat the FASHION IN
interested quarters to speak OF the fail
ure by the government to pay these claims
as such neglect as amounts 10 repuqia-
| ton by the government and den e,ii,. o.
/ Justice to citizens who have suffered.
/ Of course the original claimants have
! for wears been beyond the reach OF re-
] lief. but as their descendants in each
| generation become more numerous the
volume of advocacy, Importantly and &C
/ cusation correspondingly increases. If in
Justice mas been done in the refusal OF
/ fbese claims. ii began early in the pres
! ent century, and may be charged against
1 men then in public life more conVersant
]
/ and whose honesty and sense OF right
ought to secure some recognition
As early as 1902 a committee from the
/ House of Representatives reported the
! facrs connected with the claims, but ap-
/ narentlv without recommendation. Nc
| action was taken on the report. In lSG
/ a resolution declaring that indemnity
/ ought TO be paid was negatiVed by vote
/ of the same body. A favorable com
/ T1i++ee report was made in 1907, but Il
/ seems that no legislative action resulted
| In 1918 an adverse report was made &c
! the Senate. followed by the passage Of
resolution declaring that. the .'relie1
asked nv the memorialists and petitioner:
| omeht not to be granted" In 1922 and
egain in 1875 adverse committee reports
oS the subjects were made to the House
| concluding with similar resolutions. The
yrasumntion against these claims arising
f-oro si1ch unfavorable reports and res
oiUfions and from the failure Of congress!
10 nTovide for their payment at a tins
80 hear the events upon which they arr
bosed can not be destroyed by the in
terested cry Of injustice and neglect o.
ne rights of our citizens.
T-ntif 1916 these claims were, from timi
80 tir1e dressed upon the attention o
cCperesS with varying fortunes, bu
49, with favorable legislative action
II that wear however, a bill was passet
For their ascertainment and satistacIloi
ana & 200 GEO were appropriated for tnei
navrent This bill was vetoed py Presl
/ dent Polk who declared tnat ne cou'
s.nerceive no legal or equitable groun.
mon which this appropriation can rest.