Omaha daily bee., 1910-02-23

this law was unconstitutional; that one
OF the conditions upon which Virgtnla gave
it's western territorystO the union was that
these warrants sho0id be satisfied. making
the matter one Of trust. against which no
statutory limitations can apply. The heirs
held this the obligation IL . debt OF ths
government and that tho fourteenth amend
mcnt to the constitution explicitly sets
forth that the public debt. authorised by
law, shall never be QUESTIONED that is,
shall never be ex~tinguished by limitation
or reputation. but shall run until paid.
In 1871 there was stiIl 10. 900 acres Of land
in the reserved district. held subject to tho
warrants or revolutionary officers and
soldiers, and this land was Transferred to
the state of ohio. When Washington died,
as is shown by his will. he believed him
self worth $4,000. But when his estate
was settled there was only t1s4. 900 realized,
aside from the lands not sold. Much Of
this shrinkage IL represented by the loss
Of the Ohio lands.
The heirs are not asking that they be put
in possession OF the lands which once be-
lunged to the estate. Neither are they
asking the government to pay them what
tine lands are now worth in their highly Inn
proved condition. II they did their claim
would amount to millions. They simply
ask hat they be paid what the land would
be worth today as an unbroken forest
500 per acre, or $S6, 100 in all. There is
little prospect Of the claim being granted
at this session Of congress, as that body
IS now trying to economiHe.
, The government took good care OF most
OF the other revolutionary heroes. General
Lavson got 10000 acres Of land. Peter
Muhlenburg received 1900 acres, Daniel
r Morgan was assigned 5000 acres. General
2 Steuben was granted $1,000 acres and an
A annuity Of $500 for life. General Lafayette
5 was given 1870 acres Of land at one time
a and later a whole township. He was also
s given $500, 600 in gold at one time and $4,000
Q at another. Arnold Henry Dohrman, whose
D name is not familiar to the average Ameri-
, can, was given $4,000 acres. In all these
e cases 1t was a pure %gratuity. In the case
!, OF the Washington estate the heirs are
= simply asking that what was Washingtons
e in law and equity be restored to them.
' Warrington never accepted a foot of hand
n or a dollar Of money for his SERVICES, and
a yet even the land he acquired by purchase
n was not protected in his possession.
A Heroes Of war usually have Jared we'll at
I the hands OF their countryEnen, financially
as we'll as otherwise. And they have never,
Il except in the case of Washington, refused
!, the financial return, that has gone with the
= reward Of honor and affection. England has
. always been liberal to its heroes. After
: Waterloo the duke Of Wellington was given
: the estate at Strathfieldsaye, valued al
= more than 81, 100000. Lord Wolseley re-
I celyed $125,OOO for the completion Of the
" Ashanti campaign. Sir Hugh Gordon and
Sir Colin Campbell each received a life an
u nuity of $4,000 for services rendered by
" them, Lord Roberts received $500. 900 for his
South African services, and Lord Kitchener
" $4,000. The ex-presidents of the French
J. republic receive an annuity of s240, 900.
% 1t must not be presumed, however, tina
"a the Washington case is the only Just CLAIM
II that is pending against the government
p The aggregate face value Of the unsatis
IS fled claims amounts to a shade less thar
n 2.0Oo.J0O, 900. Perhaps half Of these Nigh
le be considered improper or questionable
ne claims. OF the others, perhaps half Nigh
J. be scaled down. at least 60. per cent. Blu
e, the othersl What tragedies are locked vi
in in the records of those claims. Estates lost
n people beggared. hopes deferred and heart
In made sick! However just the claim Their
ie is always years. Of heart-breaking delay
re and in many cases the grim spectres tina
Il. haunt the halls of congress tell bitter tale
lie Of defeat, despair and starvation.
40 who has not heard Of the famous re,
AZ apple lobbyist? For years and years h
40 camped In the corridors OF the capitol wit
g red apples for statesmen. The fedora
troops had transformed his orchards an,
no gardens into military e-mbankments for tn
a. fertilization OF Washington. Congress CAV
him a few hundred dollars, but only enoug
- to emphasize the injustice! Then one hous
voted him new relief, but congress expire
before the otbk. 5r=nch voted on the meas
ure. Six times one b:anch or the other ap
OF proved his claim, but only once did bot
~ approve during the same session. This tim
De it went. to the president, but congress ex
h pirsd before he signed the bill, Despairin
ID. OF relief at the hands of congress- .se sough
lg a iaborer's Job in one of the experiment
ut He got a temporary appointment thti 500
I'D ended. And now the red apple lobbyist
Ike out in the cold of a Washington winter
as He Is old, sick and sorrowful. He is keer
he ing body and sould together by sellin
ed newspapers.
BY FREDERIC J. HAsHrN.
at Tornorfow-aNew Ideas In Hducation.N