The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-02-17
FEBRUARY II, 1919.
The Voice of Crawford
And the Wales Claim.

The fact that Col. Sydney 1. Wales
was recently forced by poverty to ac-
cept the last legislatures pitiful Of
fering Of $4,000 as proper compensa-
ton for the collection OF the Indian
war claim. amounting to $685. 1856,
for which he was to receive Is per
cent according to his contract with
Governor George Drew, made in 1879
and ratified by Governors B!oxann,
Perry, Mitchell and Fleming and the
legislatures under them, has caused
a storm OF protest throughout the.
state.
The Journal has for ten years de-
manded that justice be done Col
WALES, finding no argument whatever
against paying him his commission
in full. The following brief letters
written by the lamented John I. Craw-
ford, secretary Of state, in 1892, ex-
press the composite opinion Of the
press and public of Florida toward the
great injustice done the aged claim
ant:
"ofice OF the Secretary of State, State
Of Florida, Tallahassee, Fla, jan
uary 26. 1892.
IS. I. Wales, ESQ: Yours Of the
2znd, enclosing a printed account be-
tween the general government and the
state Of Florida, is received. and will
be considered and appreciated.
Permit me to say, my dear sir,
that however derelict Senator Call may
have been, in the opinion of those
who do not think as he thinks upon
this important question, no man this
side OF the lunatic asylum will ques-
ton your activity and vigorous per-
sistence in presenting and prosecut-
ing this claim from a few hundred
thousand dollars UP toward one mil
lion dollars.
You are equal to any financial oc-
casion and seemingly superior to the
opposition. Senator Mallory or Sen
ator Pasco may receive the credit of
securing this large amount OF money
for Florida, but s. ]. Wales will de-
serve II. He Is the trumpcard and he
will win the game for Florida. Enough.
Believe me, my dear sir, I wish
Tou all the success you desire.
ours 10 command,
JOHN L CRAWFORD"
once Of the Secretary OF State, State
Of Florida, Tallahassee, January,
23rd. 1883.
IS. I. Wales. Esq: Yours Of the
18th Is received. Believing that no
other man under the circuit Of the
sun could have increased Florida's de-
mand from 80 thousand to 800 thou
sand dollars, and knowing that you
acted under authority of Governor
Drew, and within the circumference
of the statute, could not realize that
the present executive could go back
on your good work.
II ventured to show the governor
your private letter to me; told him
that you, only, did the work; that
you did 1t in faith and under con-
tract. and that the sovereignty and
good faith Of the state was pledged
to you. The governor answered your
letter Immediately and brought it into
my ONCE and read 1t and pronounced
it o. K. I verify believe you will
pass the claim through the house this
session. So mote it be.
Il am writing against time and tide
and must come right straight along tc
d SohSluStoH. SuSC0sS 10 YOU anu Tit
Indian war claim.
Il am yours to command,
'.As ever,
JOHN L. CRAWFORD"
We sincerely hope Governor Park
Trammell and the new legislators will
right this great wrong by making fu!
payment to Col. WALES. or at Least
allow the aged man the privilege OF
proving the validity Of his claim in
the states own courts.