Los Angeles herald., 1910-02-22
George WaShingtOn'S will
By Frederic j. Haskin

to the union was that these warrants
should be satisfied, making the matter
one of trust, against which no statu-
tory limitations can apply. The heirs
hold that the obligation is debt of
the government and that the fourteenth
amendment to the constitution aSplic-
itly sets forth that the public debt, au
thorized by law, shall never be ques-
tioned-that is, shall never be eXtin-
guished by limitation or repudtation,
but shall run until paid.
In 1871 there was still 10000 acres of
land in the reserved district, held sub
ject to the warrants of 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 himself worth $780,
900. But when his estate was settled
there was only $124,000 realized, aside
from the lands not sold. Much OF this
shrinkage is represented by the loss OF
the Ohio lands.
The heirs are not asking that they
be put in possession of the lands which
once belonged to the estate Neither
are they asking the government to pay
them what the lands are now worth in
their highly improved condition. II
they did their claim would amount to
millions. They simply ask that they
be paid what the land would be worth
today as an unbroken forest-$100 per
acre. or $305, 100 in all. There is little
prospect of the claim being granted
at this session of congress, as that
body is now trying to economtze.
The government took good care OF
most of the other revolutionary heroes.
General Lawson got 10000 acres OF
land, Peter Muhlenburg received 10000
acres. Daniel Morgan was assigned
loDo T6nopnl StpIhpn
granted $1,000 acres and an annuity OF
S2500 for life General Lafayette was
given IL $40 acres of land at one time,
and later q whole township. He was
also given 100000 in gold art one time
and $4,000 at another. Arnold Henry
Dohrman, whose name is not famillar
to the average American, was given
23. 900 acres In all these cases 1t was
a pure gratuity. In the case of the
Washington estate the heirs are sim
ply asking thta what was Washlng-
toms in law and equity be restored 10
them Washington never accepted
foot of land or q dollar or money LOT
his services, and yet even the lano ne
acquired by purchase was not pro-
tected in his possession.
Heroes of war usually have Jared
we'll at the hands of their countrymen,
financially as well as otherwise. Ana
they have never except in the case OF
Washington, refused the hnanclal re-
turn that has gone with the reward Oh
honor and affection. England has al
wavs been liberal to its heroes. After
Waterlook the duke of Wellington was
given the estate at Strathheldsaye,
valued at more than $1,300,000. Lord
Wolseley received $125,000 for the COM
pletion of the Ashanti campaign. sir
Hugh Gordon and Sir Colin Campbell
each received life annuity or SioOo9
for services rendered by them. LORD
Roberts received $500,000 for his South
African services and Lord Kitchener
$3.50. 900. The ex-presidents or the
French republic receive an annuity OF
$240, 900.
1t must not be presumed, however,
that the Washington case is the only
lust claim that is pending against the
government The aggregate race Value
of the unsatisfied claims amounts 10 d
shade less than two billion dollars
Perhaps half of these might be con-
sidered improper or questionable
claims. OF the others, perhaps halI
might be scaled down at least 5O per
cent. But the others! what traSedles
are locked up in the records OF those
claims. Estates lost, people pegSareu,
hopes deferred and hearts made SICK!
However just the claim tnere are al
ways years of heart-breaklng delay,
and in many cases the grim specters
that haunt the halls of congress tell
bitter tales of defeat, despair and star
vation.
Who has not heard of the famous RED
annie lobbyist? For years and years
he canned in the corridors of the capl-
fol with red apples for statesmen. The
federal troops had transformed ms
orchards and gardens into military en-
hankments for the fortification OF
Washington. Congress gave hlm a rev
hundred dollars, but only enough TO
emphasize the injustice. Then one
house voted him new relief, but con-
gress expired before the other branch
voted on the measure. Six times one
branch or the other approved his claim'
hut only once did both approve during
the same session. This time 1t Went
TO the president, but congress expired
before he signed the bill. Despalrlhs
of relief at the hands of congress ne
sought laborer's job in one OF the de-
ma artments. He got a temporary ap-
nointment that soon ended. And now
the red apple lobbyist is out IN the colu
of q Washington winter. He is OLD,
sick and sorrowful. He Is keeping
bodv and soul together by selling news
papers.
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