Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-03-15
BANKRUPT BILL.

the Dill 10 eStdUiiSb dIi uHiloALh SJS'SA -
bankruptcy and having proceeded as tar as
the Cd section thereof. which provides for
the appointment, by the district Judges, OF
commissioners of bankruptcy
Mr.. Burrill observed that he had an otJec-
ton to the provisions of this section. he
would prefer that these commissioners should
be appointed in such numbers as might from
time to time be deemed necessary, by the
President Of the U. States. Mr.. B. moved
so to amend the section as to make it conform
to his wishes.
Mr.. Otis was in favor of the amendment.
Under the former system the commissioners
were originally appointed by the judges !;
but it was afterwards found proper to trans
fer their appointment TO the Executive, and
the mode was accordingly altered. Mr.. o..
observed, however, that instead of bestowng
the time and labor of the Senate on the con-
sideration of amendments which, after all,
might be thrown away, he thought it would
be better Tor gentlemen who were opposed
in principle to bankrupt system, to state
their objections before the details OF the bill
were considered, that it might be seen what
prospect there was fany system at all pre-
vailing.
Mr.. Macon was averse to the amendment.
He considered it more proper for the court
to appoint these commissioners than for the
Executive The system ought to be alto
gether judicial The courts appointed their
clerks, Sc. and they would be better ac-
quainted with the qualifications and fitness
of individuals TO be selected for commits
sioners in the different states. than the Pre-
sdent could be. He had always thought it
would have been better, under the old sys-
TEN, for the courts to have continued to
make the appointments the change hao ia
ken place early in MIR. Jefferson's admins
tration, when feelings were warm, & might
have besn, in some degree, the result of Pc
htcal feeling.
Mr.. Burril had witnessed the operation of
the latter mode in his part of the country,
and had considered it the most proper and
ii had given most satisfaction. He thought
the appointment by the Executive would be
the most likely mode to prevent partiality
or favoritism. The Judge might select three
commissioners out of the whole number ap-
pointed by the President; aud Mr.. B. would
be in favor ofa large number being appoint
ed by the President, with that view.
Mr.. Macon referred to instances to shew
that, to give appointments 20 the President
and Senate did not always ensure honest Of
hcefs and was still of opinion that the
judges would be better able to appoint pro-
per persons in their own districts.
Mr.. Otis observed, in substance, that the
office of commissioner was itself judicial
office, and one of great power and. response
bility, and involved the exercises of duties
in some respects equal to those of the judge
himself. Mr.. o. had considered the change
made in the old system as beneficial and
was Of opinion that, to commit the appoint
ment of men to whom we've confded duties
so important, and of so high character, to
the district judges, would be inexpedient.
MIR. Dckerson was also in favor of the a.
nendment, There were cases in which ap-
peal would be had from the commissioners
to the very judge who would appoint them,
unless the amendment prevailed this, he
thought, would be improper, and of itself
Showed the expediency of vesting the ap-
pointment i'll the President. 1t would pre-
vent the appointment of prejudiced or par
Tia ! persons, and be more likely to produce
equity and fairness in all cases, sc.
The amendment was agreed to when
Mr. King, of Alabama, presuming there
would be many other amendments offered to
the details of the bill, moved, for the pur-
pose OF giving time for their preparation, 8.
also tor considering the principle OF the bilt,
which was now fully under consideration, to
postpone ii to Monday which motion was
agreed to.
The Senate took up the bill for the relief
OF Vincent Grant, authorizing compensa-
ton Tor house, &c. destroyed by the enemy
at Buffalo, in the late war
The Senate occupied some time in eya-
mining the merits of this case, to ascertain if
the occupation of the property by the Ame-
rlcan troops was such one as had been re-