The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1905-06-23
WAiles-Beard Claim.

1t was, no doubt, matter of extreme
regret to a great many of the fair
minded people of the State that the
Legislature, recently in session, did not
see fit to pass the measure allowing
Colonel Wales and the Beard estate to
enter suit against the State of Florida
for the collection of the money claimed
by many to be due them for services
rendered in adjusting the accounts and
making it possible for our congressman
to collect the large debt against the
United States government several years
ago.
OF course the total amount of the
Wales Beard claim is considerable
Sl63, 0O0-but the vast ma ority of those
who have made a study Of it and are
acquainted with the work done in col
Letting the data which made the pay
ment possible Do not hesitate TO assert
that there is justice in 1t and it should
be the foundation upon which the set
tlepent commended for should be made.
We have always contended that the
State is indebted to these claimants,
for the amount of money that was
actually turned into the State treasury
the commission which would have
amounted TO $4,000. The United
States was indebted TO the State Of
Florida for something over 81 900, 900;
Florida was indebted to the United
States for a smaller amount; we believe
the claimants are, therefore, entitled to
Is per cent Of the difference existing
between the two debts, and the contract
having been recognized as valid until
the money was actually paid the State,
there is no honorable way Of looking at
the matter that is apparent to us, but
that the amount should be paid and
without further useless capering.
The Legislature of 1903 wished to
compromise the matter and offered to
pay the claimants $25, 900. They rightly
refused to accept the compromise. If
il was sufficiently just to admit of COM
promise, there was certainly consider
able justice in it, and If there was JUS
tice in it, the debt should be paid on the
basis of the money received. II was
contended two years ago by some Of the
laymen that the contract made between
Governor Drew and Colonel Wales was
not binding, and feeling that he could
never receive justice from the succeed
ing Legislatures, Colonel Wales asked
permission TO carry the case before the
courts Of Florida that they might pass
upon the validity of the contrect, and
in which event the State Treasurer
would be at liberty 10 pay in accordance
with the decisions of the courts
There could certainly have been no
fairer way than this, and that the
members Of the Legislature refused to
grant this privilege, causes the average
person TO believe that either obstinacy,
unfairness, a lack of knowledge Of the
history of the claim or absolute fear Of
the consequences of spending large
sums of the States money for the set
Element Of just claims was the predomi-
mating feature. Between two individ-
uals claims are occasionally regarded
differently from those evisting between
a State and a man who does not live in
the State. -Gadsden Co. Times, June
l6.
DR. J. A. Anders, one Of Leon
cOunty's most industrious farmePs, also
a member Of our Board Of County Com
missioners, was in the city several days
this week visiting his daughter, Mrs.
Mary Walker. He made Us very
pleasant visit yesterday, which we APP
preciated as we always do q visit from
any of our country friends. Remem-
Der, gentlemen, a cordial welcome
always awaits you, and our exchanges
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