The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-02-03


1885, had set forth that the Secretary
of War already had the authority to
decide such claim, aud be was legally
bound to adjudicate it.
That your petitioner then renewed his
prosecution Of the claim in the war De-
partmept. aud it being material to as
certaio what the government had paid
for the rept of buildings used as bar
racks after having beeo seized under
similar circumstances. your petitioner
visited New Orleans and other places
and secured such necessary information
and fled it as additional evidence ia
support of said claim.
That the delegation 10 Congress,
upon the directien of the Board of
Visitors, secured the passage of joint
resolution. approved August l4tb,
1887 requiriog the Secretary of War
to investigate and report upon the said
claim, amounting to sl25 500. which
being referred by hin to the Qaartermas-
ter Generals Department. the State was
awarded the sun of ST, ,250, which
sum was duly appropriated by the Act
of Congress of October 18th, 1888,
aud soon thereafter paid into the State
Treasury
That the adjudication Of the said
claim was based solely upon the case
prepared By your petitioner, be oeiog
the only attorney Of record 10 the case
under his irrevocable contract With the
State.
That your petitioner never intermitted
bis efforts to secure a just settlement
of said claim, even retaining eminent
counsel, at his owo charge, to press 1t
to 6ual adjudication 10 the War De-
parsmept during his temporary absence
from Washington, aud urged its pay
ment IL person upon the Secretary OF
War and Quartermasser General pend
ing the said report in August, 1888.
That by Act If the General Assem-
bly, (No. 81 of December 22d, 1888,
the sum OF SIS 600 vas appropriated
out of the amount SO received Ito be
held to meet aoy claims which may be
approved for the expenses of the collec'
ton of the same.
That on January 2lst, 1890. two
thousacd Eve hundred dollars (S2,o00)
were paid to the said Caleb Bouknlght
out of said allotted sun.
That your petitioner, for his services
rendered in recovering the said Military.
Academy buildings for the State, val
ued under a sworn appraismeut at
Sl74523. exclusive of the grounds
appur,eoaus thereto. aud for his prose
cution Of the said claim for reot, has
been paid nothing. be having hitherto
been prevented by circumstances be-
youd his control frou presenting hls
claim for compensatory uo'il DOW. aud
being williog to wait, having full faith
in the justice of :be State
That your petitioner is entitled to
just compensation for his services Ter7
dered 10 effectiog the recovery Of the
South Carclioa Military Academy.
whose many graduates added greatly to
the glory and prosperity of the State.
That uoder the terms of his said
contract be would be entitled to claim
twenty Eve thousand dollars (S25, ,0oO)
for his prosecution Of the said claim
for rent to 6oal adjudication. ezpeod
ing bis means to that end from time to
time for FIVE years
That your petitioner. however. in
order to effect speedy settlement With
the State at the present session of the
General mbly, is willing to waive
bis right to compensation for recovering
the said Academy buildings, aud his
rights under bis said contract for prose
cutting the claim for rent, aod to accept
the SUN Of three thousand five hundred
dollars (S3. .500) as full payment of all
demands 10 the premises.
Wherefore your petitioner prays that
upon due investigation. aud the facts
being found. as set forth in this petit
ton. your honorable bodies will make
the necessary appropriation to pay to
your petitioner the said sum of three
thousand Eve hundred dollars 3.50O),
which your petitioners needs, rather
than his desire. impel him to claim
from the State
And your petitioner will ever pray.
&c. THOMAS j. MAcKEY.
Ho Administered on his Own