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Show m;(Ki:xahv siii:r.ma. Sonud on - One Question at ( Least. Washington, 8. The treasury department de-partment hae rendered a decision regarding re-garding sixteen Gettysburg olaimB filed in tbe autumn of '75 lor the use Hud renting of camping grounds, and buildings used for hospitals iu the bu turner of '63, near tbe field of battlo of Gettysburg. Tbe deciBion of the asaistaut secretary (bat the ownent have no claim to compensation and no com peusal:on can be awarded them. Such losses are part of the incidents and accideute of war, and government is no more bound lo re pair them than to indemniiy citizens against destruction by Hood or fire or earthquakes. Government, as a matter mat-ter ot uraee, may, by act of congress, Rive indemnity for such injuries, but there e.iiaUj no statute authorizing the payment of such claims There is no occasion for further investigation of tbeae claim a. They must be promptly rejected if presented anew to accounting oiheerg. It would be impossible for aoy government lo make good such losses during war, and especially civil war, as are here claimed. Certainly there is no authority of law in tho treasury department to pay such claims, aud I would not wok conrefs to authorize it though entirely within tbe power of th;it body. (Signed.) John Sherman, Secretary, |