Missouri War Claims

Osceola Sun
20 June 1880

Missouri War Claims.
After long and inexcusable delay loyal citizens of Missouri holding claims for supplies furnished or taken for use of State troops in the United States service during the war are to have them examined and, if found just, paid. A bill is now before a committee of the House providing for the appointment of three commissioners, one of whom is to be an army officer not below the rank of captain. They are to examine and ascertain all proper and just claims for supplies furnished to or taken by officers of the army of the United States, or of the militia forces of the State acting in full concert with the United States, which have not been paid.
The commissioners are to take all such claims as are filed with the War Department, and all vouchers and evidence relating to them, and upon this proof and all other evidence that may be offered for or against the validity of such claims, make their report as to each claim to the Secretary of the Treasury, who is required to examine and pass upon each claim without delay. In making examination of these claims the commissioners are required to go into each congressional district of the State, after giving at least ten days notice of the time and place of meeting, and at such meeting the claimants and their witnesses are to appear. Should any claims be rejected by the commissioners, the holder may bring suit in the “Court of Claims” at any time within six months, and have a new trial there. These are the general provisions of the bill. A considerable amount of these claims have been examined and allowed by a commission appointed by the State, and certificates issued, signed by the Governor. All of these claims with the evidence were forwarded to Washington and are now in the Third Auditor’s office. The commissioners, under this bill, when appointed, will take these claims, with the evidence, and examine them first, and probably the evidence that satisfied the State commissioners will satisfy the U.S. commissioners also, and in that case these claims will be reported on and paid. But if in any case the evidence on file is found defective, it may be supplied when the commissioners go into the several congressional districts. – Globe Democrat.