The principle
underlying statutes of limitations and the reasons for the maintenance
of such a rule of litigation are much more cogent when applied to claims
against the Government than when applied to claims against individuals.
These claims do not differ in their character from ordinary business
transactions such as transpire every day between private persons or
business corporations. The Government can only defend itself against
claims of this nature through its public officers and with the use of
such public records as the Departments may furnish. Great difficulties
are experienced by it in contesting fraudulent and unjust claims, and it
is only fair in the interest of the public that a rigorous adherence to
some rule of limitation should be maintained.
The provision of the bill which practically directs a new trial of the
claim for $25,000, decided adversely to the claimants more than twenty
years ago, is still more objectionable. These parties had their day in
court. They produced their witnesses and were heard both originally and
upon appeal, and upon the case they were then able to make the court
decided they had no claim against the Government.
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