Chapter CLVI. *to authorize the Commissioners of Claims to appoint special Commissioners to take Testimony, and for other Purposes.*May 11, 1872.[Extended
803 words·~4 min read·
/statutes-at-large/vol-17/chapter-clvi-448132·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
CHAP. CLVI.— An Act *to authorize the Commissioners of Claims to appoint special Commissioners to take Testimony, and for other Purposes.*May 11, 1872.[Extended.See 1873, ch. 236.*Post,* p. 577.] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, That the commissioners ofCommissioners of ciaims may appoint special commissioners to take testimony in cases before them. claims shall have authority to appoint special commissioners to take testimony, to be used in cases pending before them, who shall have authority to administer oaths and affirmations, and to take the depositions of witnesses: *Provided,* The claimants shall pay the fees of such special commissioners for taking the depositions of witnesses called by them;Fees, and who to pay. but such fees shall in no case exceed ten cents per folio if the claim is less than one thousand dollars.
Sec. 2. That any person who shall knowingly and wilfully swearKnowingly, &c sweating falsely before, &c., to be perjury, and how punished. falsely before the said commissioners of claims, or either of them, or before any special commissioner appointed by virtue of this act, in any matter or claim pending before said commissioners, shall be deemed guilty of perjury, and, on conviction thereof, shall be punished in the same manner prescribed by law in cases of wilful and corrupt perjury.
Sec. 3. That the commissioners of claims may appoint and employCommissioners of claims may employ agents to investigate claims, &c. agents, but not more than three at any time, whose duty it shall be, under the direction and authority ctf said commissioners, to investigate claims pending before them, to procure evidence, to secure the attendance of witnesses on behalf of the government, and to examine the same, and to cross-examine the witnesses produced by claimants, and to perform such other duties as may be required of them by said commissioners, who may discharge them at any time.
The said agents shall be allowed theirPay and expenses of such agents. actual and necessary travelling expenses; the expenses paid out in investigating claims, procuring witnesses, and taking testimony, and six dollars per day while employed in the discharge of their duties; of all which, at the end of each month, they shall make a statement in detail, specifyingDetailed statement, &c. the amounts by them paid out, to whom paid, when and where and for what purpose, and the number of days employed in their duties, and shall transmit the same, duly certified, to the commissioners.
But no claimNo claim of over $10,000 to be reported by commissioners to Congress, except, &c. where the amount exceeds ten thousand dollars shall be examined, decided, and reported by the commissioners to Congress, except the testimony on behalf of the claimant in such case shall have been taken orally before the commissioners or some one of them personally, or shall have been taken previous to the third day of March, eighteen hundred and seventy-one, to be used in the court of claims or before some department of the government.
Sec. 4. That the commissioners may employ three additional clerks atAdditional clerks to commissioners and aid to short-hand reporter, and their pay. a salary of one thousand two hundred dollars per year; and may employ, at the usual rates, such assistance for the short-hand reporter as may be necessary, from time to time, in reporting, copying, and preparing for Congress the oral testimony taken in cases before the said commissioners. Sec. 5. That all the expenses incurred under the provisions of this actExpenses under this act how provided for. 1871, ch. 116, §6, VoL xvi. p. 535. shall be allowed and paid in the same manner, and out of the same appropriation provided for in the act organizing the said commissioners of claims, being an act entitled “ An act making appropriations for the support of the army for the year ending June tliirtieth, eighteen hundred and seventy-two, and for other purposes,” approved March third, eighteen hundred and seventy-one.
Sec. 6. That it shall be the duty of the said commissioners of claimsCommissioners to consider the claims of loyal citizens for supplies taken, &c., during the rebellion, for the use of the navy. to receive, examine, and consider the justice and validity of such claims as shall be brought before them of those citizens who remained loyal adherents to the cause and government of the United .States during the war, for stores or supplies taken or furnished during the rebellion for the use of the navy of the.
United States, in the same manner and with 98FORTY-SECOND CONGRESS. Sess. II. Ch. 156, 157. 1872. the like effect as they are now required by law to do in the case of stores or supplies taken or furnished for the use of the army. Approved, May 11, 1872.