Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-20
VIRGINIA WAR CLAIM.
Reply to Senator Daniels Resolution
of Inquiry.

NEf T. 1870"
Daniels resolution, offered last week,
was received to-day:
Treasury Department,
"Ofice OF the Secretary,
washington, December 16, 1898.
president Of the Senate:
"Sir,-The Department is in receipt of
Senate resolution Of December Il, 1898, as
follows:
Resolved, That the Secretary OF the
Treasury be, and he is hereby, directed
10 inform the Senate whether or not pay
ment Of the amount due the State of Viz
ginia as reimbursement Of expenses in
CURED in equipping. supplying, or trans
porting the volunteer troops of that State
during the present year, or any part
thereof, has been withheld, and If so for
what reasons, and to transmit to the Sem
ate any correspondence on the subject
between the officials of the Treasury De-
partment and those Of the State of Vir-
ginia.'
I'm reply thereto, / have the honor TO
state that the amount certified by the
auditor for the War Department TO be
due the Governor Of the State Of Virginia
for clothing and shoes furnished for the
use of certain regiments OF Virginia vol
unteers has been withheld, under a recent
decision Of the Comptroller OF the Trea-
sury, the State OF Virginia being indebted
10 the United Statesufor certain non-pay-
ing stocks and bonds now belonging 10
the United States.
| enclose herewith a copy OF the deci-
sion OF tho Comptroller, and copy OF a
letter addressed 10 the Governor of Vir-
ginia on the subject OF 80 claim referred
10. Respectfully yours.
20. L. SPAULDING,
acting Secretary"
sPAULDING TO GOVERNOR TYLER.
Treasury Department,
"Onice of the Secretary,
washington, December 3. 1898.
Hon. ]. Hoge Tyler. Governor OK Vir-
ginia:
"Sir,-In reply to you communication
OF the Goth ultimo, relating 10 the claim
allowed by the auditor for the War De-
partment in the sun OF S2,957.Si for cloth
ing and shoes furnished to the United
States for the use Of the Second, Third,
and Fourth regiments Of Virginia Volun-
teers, / enclose COPY Of the decision Of
the Comptroller OF the Treasury, dated
November q, 1898, Withholding payment
OF the claim on account OF the Indebted
ness Oh the Oldlt Ol hlfbiuit u the Oulltu
States. Respectfully yours,
80. L. SPAULDING,
"Acting Secretary"
Then follows the decision Of Comp
troller Tracewell, the substance of which
has already been published in the Dis
patch.
The letters were read and ordered 10 be
prAsted for the use Of senators.
THE NEXT STEP.
It is now the purpose Of Senator Daniel,
in the event that Comptroller Tracewell
does not reverse his decision. or that
the President fails to pay the amount
due out Of the fifty millions still under
his control, to introduce a bill directing
the Secretary of the Treasury to pay
the money due the State Of Virginia out
of any funds not otherwise appropriated.
In doing this he will have the active
support Of the senators from all the
other States who have claims against the
government similar to that OF Virginia.
FREE-sILvER CONFERENCE.
Three distinguished statesmen. orators,
and free-silyer leaders had a prolonged
and earnest conference to-day In the
marble-room OF the Senate. They are
William Jennings Bryan. OF Nebraska;
John Warwick Daniel. OF Virginia. and
Henry Moore Teller, OF Colorado. The
three gentlemen sat OF low seats, Bryan
and Teller facing Daniel, and were all
so close together that their heads were
only a few inches apart. The conference
lasted over an hour and a. half, but what
the nature OF IT was Is only a matter
OF conjecture. There is no doubt. how J
ever, that weighty matters were dis
cussed. and in all probability the policy
OF the Democratic party In regard 10
expansion and the campaign OF 1900
were among them.