Mr. SHERMAN. Isaythatthelosses claimed before the board by the parties in interest mre $2, 383,000, while they actually awarded the sum of $2, 207,000. That very fact shows that they did not scrutinize these claims very closely, because it is not in the nature of things, be men ever so honest, but that there would be a greater difference between the aggregate of claims among a great number of contractors and the aggregate of awards than is made in this case. It is only a difference of 3 or 4%. I do not deny that there maybe many merito rious cases in this report; Ibut can only say that the principles upon which this report is founded are not such as will induce me to vote from the Treasury of the U.S. 2 and a quarter million dollars, and establish a principle which, in my judgment, will lead to a very large expenditure. Senators must remember that we shall be called upon before this session closes to pass upon a character of claims that will test the judgment of every Senator. A demand will be made upon us by those who are most de serving of our bounty and our favor, who have protected and maintained the Government during 4 years of terrible war; a demand will be made by the soldiers for $200,000,000 for the equalization of bounties. A demand is made by the loyal States, and a bill on the subject is now being pressed in the HoRep, for $150,000,000. Demands of every character and kind are constantly pressed upon Congress. Indeed, if we do not resist with a firm and unyielding hand here in the Senate, where the bodyis of a more permanent and durable character, these claims upon the public Treasury the expenses of this year may run it to a period of one year of the warwe may destroy the interest of all the widows and orphans and the people of this country who have invested their property in the public debt; we may impair the public debt; we may adopt principles which will lead to expenditure without limit and without restraint., for one, am disposed to scrutinize carefully every claim that is now made a on the Government, and to yield only when that claim is iroven to be just and proper, but not sooner than that. Among the persons who would be benefited by this bill is a gentleman whom I regard as highly as any man in the State of Ohio; 21 man of great energy, skill, and capacity, and yet I could not be influenced by a desire to give him even what he might claim to be just, to vote this large sum of money and adopt a principle which might be injurious to the poo.le at large, at least Without further testimony than we have presented to us in this report. If, however, the matter is pressed to a vote. I intend before the subject is closed to offer an amendment, which I will now read, and which, adopting the principles upon which this bill is foun ed, I do not see how any member of the Senate can vote against it. It is to add to the amendment of the Senfrom Iowa the following: Providedfurther, That no payment shall be made to any person, firm, orcorporation who havereceived profits on other contracts with the U.S. greaterthan such award; and for the purpose of as certaining the samethesaid board is herebyreorganized, and shall inquire and determine the fprofits of eachperson, firm, or cororation derived from such other contracts and sue profits shall be deducted from such award. If the principle on which we are asked to act in this case is to be adopted. then, as a matter of course, this same oard ought to extend their observations beyond these particular contracts and ought to look and see whether the individual, firm, or coloration whose poverty or distress we are a out to relieve is not already rich in accumulated rolit on other contracts. It may be that this ourd will find that although in these particular cases of contracts losses have been suffered, yet these very contractors who are appealin to our sympathy, and who have so excited tesympathy of our friendfrom Massachusetts, are now wealthy far beyond their highest ambition before the war occurred. If the principle is to be adopted of making good all the losses, we ought at least to be cre ited with the profits growing out of this war.