Catoctin Clarion

Border Claims.

Our Representative in Congress, Hon. John Ritchie, has again introduced the subject of Border Claims in Congress:

Mr. RITCHIE. I desire to have incorporated in the resolutions the following:

"That so much of said message and documents as relates to the allowance by the Quartermaster General of claims for quartermaster's stores taken during the war be referred to a special committee of five members."

We are all aware that in the border States during the war there was great loss and damage inflicted by the taking of quartermaster's stores in an informal manner. The law upon that subject now is entirely inadequate. I had the honor to introduce a bill in regard to it, on which this House has not yet taken action. That bill has for its object the relief of a large number of our citizens. In consequence of the exigencies of the war, quartermaster's stores were taken. Damage was inflicted on citizens for the benefit of the Army, the Army enjoyed the benefit of it, and yet there is no adequate provision for the relief of those on whom that damage was inflicted. While claims amount to several million dollars, the Quartermaster General has up to this date allowed but the amount of $367,000. The articles taken were necessary for the comfort of the Army, and one can readily realize what must have been the necessities of the armies for instance led by General Meade and General McClellan in their hurried campaigns through the western portions of the State of Maryland. Those armies were in want of many supplies, and the camping of the Army for a night devastated and destroyed farms which the day before were pictures of plenty.

I ask that this committee shall take this subject into consideration. This Congress has already made provision looking to the adjustment of claims similar in their character in the States that seceded. I do not know why a discrimination, for such it practically is, should be made against those States that did not withdraw from the Union. This whole subject ought to be considered. Justice should be done, especially as the Secretary of War has recommended that Congress shall limit the time within which these claims shall be presented. I ask, then, Mr. Chairman, that the gentleman from Massachusetts will include in his resolutions a reference of this subject to a select committee of five to take the whole matter into consideration: otherwise I shall press my amendment.

Mr. DAWES. This whole matter is now before the Committee of Claims, and it seems to me that that is the legitimate committee to consider the question. I hope the gentleman from Maryland will consent to let it remain with that committee. They are already considering the question. The proposition to raise a southern claims commission came from that committee, and they are considering the whole matter at the present time. It seems hardly proper to create a special committee to take this branch of the subject from them.

Mr. RITCHIE. I will accept the suggestion of the gentleman from Massachusetts if he will specially include in his resolution of reference to the Committee of Claims this topic.

Mr. DAWES. I have no objection to modifying that resolution in the manner suggested.

The resolutions, as modified, were then agreed to.