1876.] OF THE SENATE. 79T

The claim set np was for the amount of three hundred
dollars, and after the passage of the law, it was in proof that
this amount was paid to Mr. Webster.

No charge has been made that Col. Woolford was in any
way to be benefitted by the payment of the claim of Mr.
Webster, or that he was interested in any way in regard to
it, except to see justice done to every poor man, whom he be-
lieved to have been injured by the action of the State's offi-
cers, and which injury he regarded it as obligatory on the
State to repair.

Col. Woolford testified before the Committee, that he was
present at the drawing made by the Commissioner appointed
by Governor Bradford, and that he was cognizant of the fact
that the name of Noah Webster was twice drawn from the
wheel, and after learning that proof had been furnished the
Commissioner, that Mr. Webster was over the age of forty-
five years at the time, and knowing the fact that Mr. Web-
ster had to sell his home to raise the money to procure a sub-
stitute, he did take an interest in the case, and represented to
the Committee on Finance, that the case was one of very
strong merit, and ought to be paid.

Col. Earle and Mr. Claggett have each manifested their
concurrence in this opinion, by reporting favorably upon the
bill introduced to pay the same claim at the Session of 1874,
and which passed the Senate without a dissenting vote.

Tour Committee, therefore, after a thorough investiga-
tion, are of opinion that in advocating the claim. Col. Wool-
ford was actuated by the purest motives, and that the claim
itself was an eminently just one, and which he was entirely
right in urging upon the favorable consideration of the Com-
mittee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted,

WM. T. HEPBRON, Chairman,
JOHN CARROLL WALSH,
JAMES FENNER LEE,
A. P. GORMAN,

On the Part of the Senate.
D. W. SNOWDEN, Chairman,
FETTER S. HOBLTZELL,
C. WASHINGTON LEWIS,
IGN. E. MATT1NGLY,
W. H. NEAL,

On the Part of the House.
Which was read and adopted by yeas and nays as follows

AFFIRMATIVE.

Messrs. President, Knight,
Aydelotte, Lee,