The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-02-15
HE'S AFTER THE MONEY
John c. Nicholson Presses a Big Claim
at Washington.

washington. Feb. 15.-John c. Mich
olson of Newton, Kansas, state claim
agent, is in Washington endeavoring
to straighten up several matters where
by the state may secure considerable
sum of money which will altogether,
run as high as $325,000.
The principal amount is that alleged
to be due the state of Kansas from
the government, known as the IS per
cent accounts and aggregating
$295,OO
The claim refers to a provision of law
to the effect that each state shall have
an amount from the sale of govern
created, which shall equal 5 per cent
Of such sale, The per cent on all
cash sales has been paid Kansas, along
with other states;- but it is in the case
Of filings paid in bounty land warrants
and agricultural college scrip that the
+ trouble has come. Everything seems to
have progressed satisfa ctorily UP to the
time when L. Q. c. Lamar was sec
rotary of the interior under the first
/ Cleveland administration. He held that
land paid in bounty warrants, college
| scrip, etc. was not sales
The effort now being made, there
fore, is to pay certain states, of which
Kansas is one, on this bounty warrant
/ and college scrip land
Senator Gamble of South Dakota has
introduced a bill, which has been favor
Z EDDY reported from the committee OH
public lands and is now near the head
of the4ca lendar, which includes num-
! Der of states beside Kansas.
1 The bill provides that, after the
i close of each fiscal year. the general
! land office shall state an account be-
/ tween the United States and the public
/ land states for five per cent of the net
] proceeds of sales which have hereto
/ fore been made, or may hereafter be
made, and not already paid: and the
auditor for the department of the in
I terror shall certify said statements to
the secretary of the treasury for pay
ment.
There was a meeting here this week
of Mr.. Nicholson and other state claim
agents for the purpose of discussing
this matter; and each agent has taken
up this bin with his senator with the
view to having him endeavor to bring
about early consideration.
Mr.. Nicholson, as state claim agent,
! is also interested in another important
measure to Kansas. This IS the claim
of Kansas against the government for
S300 GOO for back pay for soldiers of the
war with Spain from the state.
This claim is now pending in the Of
fee Of the auditor for the war depart
nent. treasury department, and Mr..
| Nicholson hopes to secure early consid-
Grafton.
The question which keeps the claim
! hanging seems to be in regard to the
certihcation of the adjutant general of
| Kansas as to the roll of Kansas troops;
and the actual length of time each
performed service. The auditors office
J. seems inclined to dispute with the ad-
jutant5 general OF Kansas the actual
number of days which the Kansas sol
diers. In many instances, served.
Mr.. Nicholson has had several hear
mss with the auditors Office. and hopes
to have the claim pressed to final ad-
indication without material delay
Mr. Nicholson IS an indefatigable
claim agent. Those heretofore from
Kansas have been. also Mr. Nichol-
sons immediate predecessor was Major
MI w. Martin, now treasurer Of the
western branch national home for dis
abled volunteer soldiers, at Leaven-
worth. Kan, and q former member OF
"a Major Martin was Samuel J. Craw-
ford. former governor Of Kansas, who
now spends a great deal of time in
washington, and is here at present