The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-07-28

be incurred by the owner: Provided, II
appears that such loss. capture, abandon
ment, destruction, or death was without
any fault or negligence on the part of the
owner of the property. aud while the prop
er'y was actually employed in the service
OF the United States.
The above is permanent law
As To the war of the rebellion, loyal citi-
zens in loyal States are entitled to com
penSatiOn for all quartermaster' stores
and subsistence actually furnished to or
taken by quartermaster or commssary
of subsistence for the use of the United
States forces. These are Familiarity known
as the "4th of July" claims. as they arise
under the act Of July 4. 1864. and its
amendments and extensions. They are col
lectable now only by special action of Con-
gress. and there is little disposition to ap-
propriate for these claims at this late day.
The so-called Southern Claims" arising
under the act of March 8. 1871, for the
compensation of loyal citizens i'm the rebel
lious States. for stores and supplies taken
by or furnished to the Quartermaster' or
Commissary Departments for the use OF
the United States forces stand on the
same footing as the "4th of July" claims.
above. with even smaller chances of col
lection through the necessary special ac-
ton of Congress.
The act of March 3. 1885, provides:
the Treasury be. and they are hereby,
authorized and directed 10 examine into,
ascertain, and determine the value of the
private property belonging 10 officers and
enlisted men in the military service Of the
United States which has been, or may
hereafter be. lost or destroyed i'm the mill
tary service, under the following circum-
stances:
First. When such loss or destruction
was without fault or negligence on the
part of the claimant.
Second. Where the private property so
lost or destroyed was shipped on board an
unsea worthy vessel by order Of any officer
authorized to give such order or direct
such shipment
Third. Where it appears that the loss
or destruction of the private property of
| the claimant was in consequence of his
having given his attention to the saving
of the property belonging 30 the United
| states which was III danger at the same
time and under similar circumstances.
And the amount of such loss so ascer-
| tanned and determined shall be paid out
of any money in the Treasury not other
wise appropriated. and shall be in full for
| all such loss or damage:
provided: That any claim which shall
be presented and acted on under authority
of this act shall be held as finally deter.
mined. and shall never thereafter be re
opened or considered:
And provided further. That this act
shall not apply to losses sustained in time
of war or hostilities with Indians:
| And provided further. That the liabil
| ity of the Government under this act shall
be limited to such articles Of personal
property as the Secretary of War, in his
discretion. shall decide to be reasonable
useful, necessary, and proper for such off
Ger or soldier while in the quarters. en-
gagged in the public service in the line OF
duty:
And provided further, That all claims
now existing shall be presented within two
years and not after the passage OF
this act; and all such claims hereafter arts
ing be presented within two years from
the occurrence Of the loss or destruction
Each person not an officer, employed on
a vessel of the United States sunk or 9th
erwise destroyed. and whose personal eff
fects have been thereby lost, is entitled t,
reimbursement to the extent of $50 "bas
money" Heirs are entitled, IL the person
| has died without receiving the same.
The army appropriation act of May 2G
1900. authorized reimbursement for cloth
ing, bedding, ETC.. destroyed for sanitary
reasons by order of medical officers of the
Army since April %. 1898.
| (To be continued)