Waterbury Democrat., 1902-01-13

Washington, Jan. 13.-In reply tc many citizens of Connecticut who are holders of Spanish Indemnity certifi cateS the, treasury department has sent out the following:
 The United States government has no responsibility for Spanish indemnity claims other than to see to the diStribu. tion to the proper parties of the award forwarded by Spain, as interest on the outstanding certificates. This interest has been paid for years and years and the amount already paid, in this way, Is nearly three times the original prin- cipal, but no efforts has been made to reduce or pay off any part of the origin al claim.
 The interest has been paid annually until the year 1898, when hostilites commenced between the United States and Spain, and no interest was for warded for distribution by Spain. The time of payment by Spain has always been variable, interest sometimes be ing forwarded as early as September and frequently being delayed to De cember or January.
 During the last year no money was received, and until it is paid into the treasury for distribution the claims of
 
 considered.
 The Spanish indemnity certificates represent a draft on the Spanish gov ernment to certain American citizens. many of whom are at present citizens of Connecticut. These claims arose from the seizure by pirates of vessels and cargos belonging to American citi- zens, in the ports of Spain or it's col Dnies. On the 17th of February 1881 convention was agreed to, to cover these cases. The sum agreed upon to be paid was $599, ,350.28, and suitable S legislation was enacted in January 1886, to carry the terms of the treaty 8 into effect. Since then Spain has paid # $3S,000 per year and it's failure to be 8 paid into the treasury during the past S year has worried the holders of the S Spanish certificates, and hence the re @ ply indicated above has been forward # ed to the various claimants.
 Secretary Platt and Congressman s Russell called on Secretary Root at the # war department Saturday afternoon # and had lengthy conference with him in relation to pending legislation. The E most important matters discussed re- # lated to Cuba and the Philippines. # These conferences between cabinet officers and members of congress per 3 tain more personal exchanges of views # and comparing of notes, than of public s interviews, and what is said and done # is carefully guarded. It is in this way # that congress and the executive de- Z pertinent can act in unison and bring # about desired results.
 Both Senator Platt and MT Russell 8 hgreed. in speaking of this interview E with Secretary Root, that something # must be and will be done for Cuba. Just what is the question. They do not # believe in anticipating what may take place, as full hearings will be given be- # fore the committees of both the senate # and the house. Senator Platt as chair man of the senate committee on Cuban # affairs will have, much to do in fram- # ing legislation for the island but the, # committee is likely to go slowly and g make sure of a measure that will be # the best that can be secured. 3 It is in the house, however, that 2 legislation in behalf of Cuba is likely # to be inaugurated There is a great Fl demand from nearly all sections of the country for something. but what 8 that something is, remains to be seen. # Hearings will commence before tine # committee on ways and means on We'd nesday of this week. What these hearings will develope, no one can tell x at present. That they will have an # important bearing on the question of W legislation for Cuba, is conceded. MT Russell, who is a member of the com mittee, said that he would not be will ing to make a statement as to what would be done. until a full and fair a cin Of fIo 1o committee. Mir Russell, however, has always expressed himself in favor of treating Cuba and the Philippines alike but as for details nothing definite can be stated at this time.
 Mir Sperry is in receipt of a remon- strance from residents of New Haven. between Quinnipiac river and Mill ri:ver, against the proposed change in name of Station A to Fair Haven sta tion- The order to change this name was given by the department some days ago, but the business men of Fair Haven strongly object. The re- monstrance was signed by some of the
 leading merchants and manufacturers Df that section of New Haven among
 hem being such large concerns as the Quinnipiac Brewing Co, Lancraft # brothers the National Wire corporation hnd the H. c. Rowe company MT Eperry referred the remonstrance at pnee to the postoffice department, and asked them to look into the matter carefuliy.
 < A pension has just been granted to Edwin Fl. Freeman of New Haven, who served in Company c, 29th United States Colored volunteers 1t dates back to March 8, 1892 at the rate of
 S per month, and at the rate of S1O = from June 5, 1901. This will give him back pension to the amount of over
 300. The pension was secured through
 he intervention of MT Sperry.
 Charles M. Robinson, of Middletown, vho for the past two years has been bracticing law in Washington, has gone I n business trip to Cuba. Mir Robin lon will, on his return, leave Washing
 lon to enter law office in New York Eity. Mr Robinson is the son of Judge Has 4. Robinson, of the Superior kourt.
 : MT Sperry has received a petition
 from residents of Branford, asking for