Mr. HILL. This bill is reported from the ComClaims, whose duty it is to investigate all claims referred to them, and it is but justice to that committee to presume that they have fairly investigated it. When they report favorably upon a claim I am disposed to consider their report fairly and candidly. Now, in regard to the character of this particular claim, I understand it is for damages sustained by reason of the loss of stock. The Government with a high hand takes possession of horses and conveyances and uses them for its own purposes. Now, is it to be held that the Government is a grand pirate that lays its hand upon anything it wants, and the owner is to stand by without resistance and without redress, and that we, the only body that can afford redress, while admitting the justice of the claim in point of law and of every principle of right, cannot give relief? Why, sir, a Government of that character is not worth preserving. If a Government cannot afford to pay for property that it appropriates to its own use, and for its preservation in time of peril, it is time it should cease to exist, and be superseded by another that can do justice. Instead of being a protection to the citizen it is the citizen's most severe oppressor. Now, sir, why is it that property so taken should not be paid for? For no reason in the world. The Government is paying 1000s and millions of dollars oft. contract for property where it purchased such property as this. If this principle which has been suggested is to be acted on, and property is not to e paid for under such circumstances as these, why does not the Government turn itself into a grand horse stealing enterprise, and when claimants come before this House tell them that their claims are just enough, but that it would bankrupt the Government to pay them? As my colleague says, this Government is certainly able to do right. If we have not the money to pay just claims, let them at least be audited, and let the claimant know that at some time he will receive his compensation, instead of telling him that we sustain Government officers in the exercise of a little temporary authority in taking property whenever and wherever they please, for which no compensation shall be paid to him. I insist that to refuse the payment of claims of this character would be worse than a bankruptcy of the government, for it would bring the Government into contempt in the minds of all honest men.