The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1907-09-04
BY j. n. Reese.

~ RSOoOs
Tallahassee, Fla, Sept 3.-The ap-
raacance of Representative JOS
Er.ght, a member of the Indian War
Clam Commission, at the capital dur
ing the week for a consultation with
NE governor, and the examination or
CO. 5. |. Wales by the investigating
commission also during the week, have
been sufficient to revive interest in the
new celebrated Wales claim.
These Incidents were not in the
least connected. 1t is not even stated
thai Representative knights visit had
anything to do with the matter of In
dian war claims, although the matter
was discussed The war claim COM
mission is to hold a sitting the seven
tenth Of this month, and Mr.. Knight
said il was doubtful if any progress
could be made in the approval Oh
claims at that time because of the fact
that the original records are now at
Washington and it would be necessary
for the commission to first pass a for
nal resolution setting forth the author
fly OF the commission as enacted by
the last legislature for submission to
the Washington authorities before
these records would b Forthcoming.
Approval Only.
The commission, of which Mr.
Knight is member. will have to do
only with the approval of claims for
subsistence and service in the Semi
mole Indian troubles from 1849 to 1857
inclusive, and the act specially pro-
vides that the WALES claim is not to
Be considered. Yet the testimony of
Col WALES before the investigating
commission and the near possibility OF
the settlement of other claims grow
ing out of the Indian troubles are coin
Cident happenings worthy of notice.
Col. Wales requested the Opportun-
i'y Of going before the commission, it
Is understood, because of certain teS-
timOny that had been given the COM
mission by former Governor Jennings.
Il IS not known how much of the teS-
timOny of these two well known wit
neSses will be admitted to the record
a the investigating commission, as
the acts and doingS of the internal inn
prOvement trustees have TO emphati-
cally apparent bearing on the Indian
war claims.
No Denial of Claim.
It is a matter of record that every
governor from 1877 to the Jennings
administration reaffirmed the contract
made with Col Wales for a fee of
fifteen per cent. OF the amounts collect
I'd from the government, and that the
claims were not paid until 1902 dur
ing the Jennings administration, and
'la! the state has practically repudi-
attd the original contract while admit
ing the obligation, he Legislature OF
1903 voting an appropriation of $4,000
Ter the settlement of the claim, half
q The amount to go to Col. WALES and
me other to the estate of w. X. Beard,
VINO was associated with the principal
III the undertaking.
IhlS amount has never been collect
20 by the heneficiaries. and the pres
ehce ot Col Wales at the state house
presented the figure of one who has
"''n dealt with unIustly by the COM
lH"nWealth which he served fer more
IMAM twenty years, the result of whose
work was the realization of the state
o. SAoS9,15S.66, the amount repre-
HChimg the principal and interest OF
We sum due the state by the govern
A'A' and out Of which will come the
amounts to be paid for service and sup
L'es furnished during the period re
erred 10, the payment OF which was
0"hor.Zed by the last session. The |
,'n.2ensation claimed by Col. Wales |
Is $l6&,373.79.
Singularly Hard.
le the matter is now grown |
ssASieht through age and much recital, |
WI! stand against the state until ii |
: settled in full Col. Wales is now |
j.. and well nigh impoverished. and |
IS not a probable thing that he will |
re 'e 10 reap the rewards of his labor. |
'". MS children may The spectacle |
presented of a man who was sue |
.SS'Gl after many years of constant |
s-U encouraging labor in forcing the |
so''rhment 20 recognize the righteous |
49, 49, q the states claim, proving the |
,..." and collecting the money for the |
-, VINO has yet been unable to col |
:, MS pro rata of the amount with |
~. ~ 1'a ~ specific contract and the |
uttered and hearty endorsement of |
~, safes highest officials during the |
a--'o when the work was being &C
clmpliShed. |
:, Hotel Changes.
~ Is reported that Mrs. Fannie |
r ~,i has sold the Leon Hotel to
11-"lS BAIL. the proprietor of the Blox-