to the cause and the Government of the United States in States proclaimed as in insurrection against the United States during the rebellion." It will be observed that this law confines claims exclusively to "loyal adherents," &c., signifying that the Government holds itself responsible to no others for losses sustained by the war. But, judging from the number of claims presented before this tribunal, and the hard swearing by which they were sought to be sustained, the bulk of the property-owners in the South must have been intensely loyal during the whole But what becomes of the hundreds of thousands of other claimants who have not ventured to appear before an "ironclad" commission and swear to their loyalty? Before what "commission" are they to obtain redress? Their own practical answer to this is to elect a tribunal of their own, consisting of a Democratic Congress a tribunal where disloyalty is sure to command a premium. The files of the House show how promptly they have availed themselves of this tribunal. Scores and scores of claims are presented without a suggestion of "loyalty" as an excuse for the demands. The aggregate of these claims presented to the 44th Congress was $1,582,269. The aggregate of similar claims presented to the 45th Congress was $6,757, 793. It has been estimated that in addition to the above it will require for "blanks"-that is bills calling for sums not ascertained at the date of their presentation-at least $3,500,000. The aggregate of the foregoing claims, however monstrous they may appear, is a mere bagatelle when compared to the sums provided for by two bills introduced in the House-one by Mr. Wiltshire, of Arkansas, and the other by Mr. Riddle, of Tennessee. The first named is as follows: A Bill to Abolish all Tests of LoyaltyAll Rebels Invited to Help Themselves at the Treasury Vaults, and Call in their Neighbors - Southern Courts and Juries to Assess Damages for Rebel Losses, and Uncle Sam to Foot the Bill. A Bill to facilitate the adjustment and settlement of claims of citizens of the United States for stores and supplies taken or furnished during the rebellion for the use of the Army of the United States, and for other purposes. sentatives of the United States of America in ConBe it enacted by the Senate and House of Repregress assembled. That all citens of the United states having claims against the United States for stores or supplies taken or furnished during the rebellion for the use of the Army of the United States, including the use and loss of vessels or boats while employed in the military service of the United States may institute suit against the United States for the adjustment and recovery of such claims in the district court of the United States for the district in which such stores or suppies may have been take or furnished, or such vessels or boats may have been used or lost. And the distric courts of the United States for the several judi plies may have been taken, as aforesaid, and cial districts within which such stores or sup vessels or boats may have been used or lost, as aforesaid, shall take and exercise jurisdiction in all cases for claims brought in said courts under the provisions of this act, without regard to the amount claimed. This bill would refer each batch of claims to the citizens of the neighborhood that was despoiled, abolish the Southern Claims Commission and all tests of loyalty, and pay damages assessed by juries out of a general appropriation. In estimating the amount required to pay claimants under this bill, the spirit of economy and reform which actuates the average Southern jury must not be overlooked. Another Bill to Abolish Tests of Loyalty -A Bill to Enable one Rebel to Swear Another Rebel's Claim Through — A General Interchange of Perjury among Neighbors would Secure Pay for Everything. Mr. Riddle's bill is as follows: A Bill directing compensation to be allowed for sentatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of War be, and he is hereby, authorized to allow reasonable compensation to all citizens of the United erty by the United States Army, or any part States for the use and occupation of their propthereof, during the late civil war, in the same manner and under the same regulations as compensation is now allowed for quartermaster That the affidavit of the claimant, supported by stores used by said Army; Provided, however, the competent estimony of any reputable citizen, shall be sufficient proof to establish the fact of the use and occupation of such property by act to limit the parties to the amount of proof said Army. But it is not the intention of this herein specified; but other and additional testimony may be taken to establish the fact of the use and occupation, and the rental value of the property occupied. This bill not only discards the idea that loyalty has anything to do with war claims, but makes one oath by a * rebel sufficient to effectually establish a out the South is that those claims ought to be ever, foraged, used, or destroyed by our soldiers during the war! The Grand Aggregate enongh to Bank- Southern claims. Men who expect to succeed rupt the Government. politically must be in harmony with their peo- pay them. They go so far as to declare that the of the war debt of the nation. And what would be the grand aggre-idea that the Government is under obligation to gate of claims accruing under these wholesale raids upon the Treasury A reasonable estimate may probably be reached by taking the 22,298 sworn loyal claimants as a basis. The total amount claimed by this class, as appears in the preceding pages, is $60,258,150, making the average value of each claim $2,702.40. It will not be regarded as extravagant to say that the number of disloyal claimants South stand as forty to one loyal, and using the same average value of $2,702.40 per claim, as above, the total to be appropriated on account of these two bills alone would swell to the sum of $2,410,326,000. Recapitulation. Direct tax Use and occupation of Grand total of Souther Judge Bartley's legal demands in behalf Indeed, Judge Bartley, whose little pamphlet was distributed so freely among members of this body a few days ago, argues that the property taken for the subsistence of the Union money on the sale of its bonds in the sums rep Army saved the Government from raising resented by the value of the property seized and used, and that the claims for the payment for this property are as just and as valid a lien $2,661,776 upon the Treasury as the bonded debt itself. In fact, he thinks they should take precedence 68,072,088 of the bonded debt in equity, because that debt 8,340,062 draws interest, while the claims do not. The Judge presents his case in the strongest light 3,500,000 possible, and closes his pamphlet of twenty pages with the following significant paragraph: 1,205,163,000 1,205,163,000 2,492,899,926 In round numbers, an amount equal to the national debt at the close of the war. PART III. "Justice and Right" the basis of Rebel DemandsRebel Claims a "Part of the war debt of the Nation" and must be paid, or In a speech on Southern claims, delivered in the House, May 1, 1878, Mr. Hayes, of Wisconsin, said: Having shown the magnitude of these claims, I wish to say that the general sentiment through "The foregoing views are expressed on mature consideration from a sense of duty to several hundred citizens of Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkan sas, and Texas, represented by the undersigned as their counsel. The positions assumed can and will be maintained, and cannot be successfully controverted in or out of Congress. If the plain language used is expressive of some feeling, it arises simply from a deep sense of and is not intended to be discourteous, but in the wrong and injustice done to injured parties, all due deference and respectful regard for the public authorities." Foard's Pamphlet-No way to heal Rebel wounds like paying Rebel Claims—A never failing cure-Try a sample. Only a few days ago I received a pamphlet written by Dr. J. F. Foard, of North Carolina, in which the writer discusses this subject at some length, declaring that the Government should pay these claims as a matter of justice ting forth the losses sustained by the Southern and right. After devoting several pages to set people, he use sthese words: "The easiest and best way to heal them"-the wounds made by the war-"is to compensate those who lost so much in the conflict." In a subsequent chapter he says: "Let us go at this work promptly, earnestly, and honestly, that it may be as a monument of truth and justice, erected in the hearts of our children to remind them of the importance of national honor, peace and good will.” A demand for pay for all losses on both sides Lost time, lost limbs, and lost lives to be paid for-Foard is generous to a Fault. The last page of Foard's book contains a form of a memorial to Congress petitioning that body for the passage of a law granting pay for all property destroyed by the governments and armies of both sides during the late war between the States;" and also for for "lost time, limbs, and lives," of all soldiers of "both armies and every section." All interested are invited to "co-operate" "in the great work" by signing the memorial, procuring signatures, and forwarding them to Congress. pay It may be added that this particular "great work" is temporarily suspended, awaiting the election of a Democratic Congress. More about Judge Bartley-Amnesty restores all Rights-Remits all sins. Judge Bartley, in his little pamphlet above alluded to, further says: "The pardon and amnesty which was granted contained an express pledge for the restoration of all rights of property, except as to slaves. The pardon was a remission of all punishment, and also a pledge of the public faith for the restoration of all rights." Judge Bartley's Relations with Hancock-The Significance of his opinions—Hancock's right bower. It will be seen by the foregoing, that Judge Bartley holds that the Southern claims should take precedence of the bonded debt of the United States, in equity, for the reason that that debt draws interest, while the claims do not. It may be true that the claims do not draw interest, but it is a well known fact that they have a way of growing in magnitude, which beats the most usurious interest known to history. They are cancerous, and of ceaseless malignity in growth. Here is a specimen. Claim No. 3,107.-(Before the Claims Commis- Here are specifications, as follows: No. 9. 3 gas tanks (iron) at $100.. No. 10. 26,600 bushels corn (in ear) at $1. $268,125 24,000 20,000 2,000 15,000 12,400 2,250 225 225 300 26,600 9,350 1,000 2,000 The significance of Judge Bartley's sweeping utterances in favor of the payment of all Southern claims without reference to the loyalty of the claimant can be better appreciated when it is known that he was the great original The number of the items is thirtyHancock man; that he advocated Han- two; of these, No. 31 is for 145,000 fence cock's nomination long before he was rails, made of the most beautiful and seriously thought of by the party gen- expensive timber in the world, no erally; that months before the conven- doubt. The only thing that should surtion met, the N. Y. Herald and other prise us in the bill of particulars is that papers were filled with Judge Bartley's the sixty-two mules were not put at communications urging the nomination $1,000 each. The moderation of the of Hancock; that he was the head and claimant has not, however, been apfront of the Washington coterie of Han-preciated, for the claim is in the list of cock's confidential friends; that Hancock owes his nomination more to the secret management and shrewd wirepulling of Judge Bartley than to all other causes combined; and finally that, if Hancock had been elected, Judge Bartley would have had a seat in the Cabinet. The effect of such a state of affairs on the Southern claims question can readily be imagined. the disallowed. The first time it was presented the sum total was but $272,590. The amended petition is for $495,355. The effect of not paying in the first place is seen in the growth of 500 hogsheads of sugar in the first claim to 1,109 hogsheads in the second, while the price of the sugar expanded from $200 per hogshead to $325 per hogshead. The 800 cords of wood alleged, in the bill of particulars of 1871, to have been taken, grew to 3,000 cords in 1873. Forty mules, at $150 each, had multiplied to 62 mules at $200 each. Five thousand How Rebel Claims Grow-bushels of corn were developed into 26,600 bushels; 500 pounds of bulk pork Fecundity of Rebel mules in 1871 grew to 5,000 pounds in 1873. PART IV. What 20 Acres can produce when fer- was encamped only two weeks in the tilized by perjury, with a sub-soil of vicinity of the claimant. He said that Fraud-A Democratic House Commit- it would have been an utter impossibilthe payment of aity for his men in the warm climate of Claim rejected by the Southern Louisiana to have burned 1,500 cords of wood, or to have consumed 20,000 bushels of corn. tee recommend Claims Commission for Fraud. Another specimen of a similar character is the claim of Mrs. Eliza Heber, presented in 1873 before the Southern Claims Commission, for losses and damages to her plantation at or near Indian Village, Louisiana, while occupied by the troops of General Payne. Here is the bill: 8,000 bbls. corn, $1,50 per bbl.. 100 chickens, at $1 each.. 200 turkeys, at $2 each.. 30 hogs, at $10 each. 8 oxen, at $50 each. 5 horses, at $160 each. 4 mules, at $125 each.. Unknown quantity of lumber, consisting of hogshead staves, pickets and posts. 500 cords of wood, at $6 per cord.. Making a total of The bill awaits the election of another Democratic House. PART V. $12,000 A Brief Review of some of the Rebel Claims-Direct Tax-Cotton Tax-Special Relief — Destruction Property- Compensation 100 400 300 400 800 500 5,000 3,000 22,500 The Commission sent an agent to the spot to investigate. He reported that the claim was fraudulent, and the claimant took no further steps to prosecute the matter before the commission. But when the Democracy obtained possession of the House Mrs. Heber came up smiling and presented to that body the following list: 8,000 bbls. corn, at $2.50 per barrel. 4 mules, at $300 each. 30 hogs, at $30 each.. 5 choice milch cows.. 20 head of cattle. 1 lot of poultry.. Fencing and plantation destroyed Total.... - of for Slaves-Rebel Mail Contractors, &c. They Already Reach Three Thousand Millions of Dollars- Where will it end?" 66 That she had struck the right place this time was proved by the fact that during the second session of the 45th Congress, John W. Caldwell, from the Committee on War Claims, in the House, to which committee this claim has been referred, submitted a report to accompany House bill 3293, saying "that Mrs. Eliza Heber should be paid as full compensation for all her claims for the property and supplies taken and used as aforesaid the sum of $23,150," and the committee reported a bill for that purpose, and recommended its passage. However, the fictitious character of the bill became known to Secretary Sherman and he dispatched an agent to investigate. The report showed that Mrs. Heber never had more than 40 acres of land, one half of which was not subsceptible of cultivation, and that the claim was utterly fraudulent. General Payne said that he was in command of less than 2,000 infantry, and How Hunter proposes to Get Around the Fourteenth Amendment and Reimburse the old Slaveholders for the Loss of their Slaves-$400,000,000. Hunter's sagacity is only equaled by his loyalty. The fourteenth amendment abolishes an "institution" of the Confederacy. It expels the last vestige of slavery from its soil and prohibits all compensation for slaves freed by the war. But the astute Hunter discovers that the prohibitory clause is unconstitutional, and therefore nugatory; that the slaves were private property; that their forcible emancipation was in the nature of seizing that property for public use without compensation, that the claim is in the individual owner; that the States, in the ratification of the fourteenth amendment, had no power or right to divert it; and that conseunder the Constitution have valid or quently the owners of that property bona fide claims for reasonable compensation-to wit, $400,000,000. Maryland formally asserts her claim for such compensation-Other slave States have official lists of slaves, only awaiting Democratic ascendency. hood-How Congressman Willits stopped the Steal. But a discovery so sagacious was not Up to 1877, the people of the North original with Hunter. As early as 1867, felt a sense of security from the machiin the Maryland constitutional conven-nations of Southern claimants, defended tion, he was anticipated by the equally as they were by the following section sapient conventionists. They formally of the Revised Statutes: asserted the claim under the constitution. They authorized the Legislature SECTION 3480. It shall be unlawful for any offiof Maryland to receive and dispose of against the United States which accrued or excer to pay any account, claim, or demand the amounts due to their old slavehold-isted prior to the 13th day of April, 1861, in favor ing citizens when paid by the United States, and notoriously, in that as in other of the old slaveholding States, lists of the slaves emancipated have been prepared, and the claims covering their value only await for their payment the harvest of wholesale plunder when the Democracy shall pass into power. The “Missouri Climax of rapacity" Claimants furnished official certificates of losses by rebel raids-Democracy, when in power, will pay them. But in Missouri the climax of rapacity in proposed plunder has been reached. It is, however, only preliminary-only a precedent for further wholesale or general spoliation. In Missouri, a State commission has investigated and official certificates have been awarded to all claimants for compensation for losses incurred or supplies taken by the rebel forces which overran its territory; and these certificates, as the claims for indemnity for slaves, only await the success of the Democracy to be promptly honored by the government. Bills already introduced in Congress as precedents for these Monstrous claims. of any person who promoted, encouraged, or in any manner sustained the late rebellion, or lion, was not known to be opposed thereto, and in favor of any person who, during such rebeldistinctly in favor of its suppression; and no pardon heretofore granted, or hereafter to be granted, shall authorize the payment of such account, claim, or demand, until this section is modified or repealed But this section shall not be so construed to prohibit the payment of claims founded upon contracts made by any of signed or contracted to be assigned prior to the the Departments, where such claims were as1st day of April. 1861, to the creditors of such contractors, loyal citizens of loyal States, in payment of debts incurred prior to the 1st day of March, 1861. An Amendment Rushed Through. On the last day of the Forty-fourth Congress, however, in a moment of Republican triumph over the fraudulent attempt to seat Tilden in the Presidential chair, and in a spirit of magnanimity, the following amendment to the above act was allowed to go through under a suspension of the rules: That the sum of $375,000, or so much thereof the amount due to mail contractors for mail as may be necessary, be appropriated to pay service performed in the States of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee. Virginia, and West Virginia, in the years 1859, 1860, and 1861, and before the said States respectively engaged in war against the United States; and the provisIndeed, as precedents for their pay-ion of section 3480 of the Revised Statutes of the ment, two bills, in the Forty-fourth United States shall not be applicable to the payCongress, were introduced by Messrs. ments therein authorized. Provided. That any Knott, of Kentcky, and House, of Ten-erate States Government shall not be again paidsuch claims which have been paid by the Confed nessee, appropriating small amounts for property and supplies seized by the A Hungry Horde of Perjurers rush rebel forces, and if they are hereafter passed or recognized by Congress, and should the nation be again inflicted with a Democratic administration, Missouri and every State South will realize the prodigious amounts these claims will involve. upon the Treasury-Sherman's adroit move to circumvent the Thieves. Instantly upon the passage of this act a horde of hungry claimants rushed to the Treasury and demanded a settlement of their accounts. Secretary Sherman, however, suspected fraud, and with characteristic caution decided that no money be paid out of this appropriation until the whole of the claims are received and adjusted, and if the The Southern Mail Contrac-appropriation is insufficient they should then be paid pro rata." PART VI. 66 Reagan's Rage-He overreaches him. self. tors' Fraud-An attempt at Wholesale Robbery by Southern Statesmen, by This amounted to a prohibition of means of barefaced False- any payment at all, for the reason that |