Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-01-02
THURSDAY, Dec. 2S, 1926.
IN SENATE

THURSDAY. Dec. 2s, 1896.
IN SENATE
The resolution submitted yesterday by Mr.. John
son, of Kentucky, considered and agreed to.
The resolution submitted yesterday by Mr.. Wood
bury, in relation to Information respecting Navy
Yards, etc. was takenup.
Mr.. Woodbury. said, that he might urge various
reasons, which made this information of grea, im.
portance TO Congress- and TO the country at large,
especially that portion of the country where Dry
Docks were contemplated on the sea-board. But
as he supposed i, unnecessary TO go into the ex-
PLANTATION unless it should be found necessary, he
should reserve his remarks, unless in the reso-
luton should meet with opposition.
Mr.. Holmes said, he did not offer any opposi-
tioi to the resolution; but merely state that
a resolution passed or years since to the same
effect, and that the report then made would give
the required information up TO that period. He
merely mentioned this circumstance, as he suppos-
ed the fact had etcaped the memory Of the gentle
man from New Hampshire.
The resolution was then agreed to.
BANKRUPT BILL.
The order of the day then called; and the
bill to establish uniform system of Bankruptcy
throughout the United States, was taken I'd for
consideration, in Committee of the Whole
The Vice President observed that the bill had
never yet been read.
Mr.. Hayne said that lie wished the reading 20
be dispensed with now, for the moment the OBJ
ject would be to consider the amendments proposed
by the Committee.
Mr.. Chandler said, he had no objection to the
dispensing with the reading for the present if the
amendments could be well understood without
the bill being read
Mr.. iIayne replied, that there was no doubt that
The amendments would be better understood by
their being read in connection with merely as
much of the preceding and following parts of the
context as would display their connection with
the bill, and their objects.
No further opposition being made 10 the present
consideration of the amendments
Mr.. Hayne said that it was not his intention, at
this time, 10 enter into minute discussion Of the
several points or OF the supposed benefits of the
bill under consideration. II had been already treat
ed in debate at considerable length; which render
ed 1t less necessary TO canvass its merits the pre-
sent stage of liz progress. The course proposed by
the Committee vas, TO explain primarily the
amendments which they had proposed, and then
take up any amendments which the other Senators
might see fit to offer. When the bill had thus
bees improved and perfected by the united wisdom
and sagsciiy OF the Senate, the Committee should
feel themselves prepared 10 uphold aud defend the
system thus recommended TO the adopton Of the
county
The first amendment having then been stated
''O' ''S N'haHf Gnu bc4H5 W eUIhe Oul the words,
" according 10 the under standing of mercantile
men,
MI. Hayne explained the bect of this amend
mend He observed, that, 10 confine the stopping
payment TO the understanding OF mercantile men.
might possibly not extend to some instances of
bankruptcy, and as the law intended 10 pro-
vide for all cases OF bankruptcy, would have been
productive OF emberi 10 permit the bill TO
be restrained by such a specification. 1t was,
therefore. by the striking of those words made
to embrace the stopping OF payment in i,s most
general sense. IL would have been unjust TO sppeal
solely to the understanding Of mercantile men, as
many cases OF bankruptcy might be entirely for.
eisn TO such limitation. But he remarked, that
whether stopping payment in itself an act of
Bankruptcy, aud under what circumstance it was
so to be considered, involved another question.
which the Committee stood ready 10 explain at a
future period But it was not his wish TO deIav
the Senate al present; be would go no farther. |
trusting that his explanation of the amendment
would be considered sufficient.
The amendment was agreed to-
Mr.. Holmes wished an explanation of the |
phrase such trader" as used in the second sec-
non, and to what description OF persons that
phrase applied lie did not find the phrase in the
bankrupt law OF 1900, and i, did not appear 10 him
that 1t applied to those persons pointed out in the
first section OF the act; for they merchants
buying AMI selling, dealing III exchange, or as
banker, broker, factor, Underwriters or marine in
smer." lie thought that the phrase, d" such tra>
ler'" applied generally to persons becouing bank
-upt, did not, by any means, embrace all the classes
81 persons thus indicated lie would propose an
Of this piTaseology.
Mr.. Berrien said, that the term rnercban, -
% the frat section, alluded to all the descriptions
IF persons mentioned, merchant trading in ali the
ilitereat branches enumerated; therefore trader,
vas the geneic term io- the whole.
Mr. Hayne thought the amendment proposed
would be an improvement The words were copied
rom the British act, the genera! phrsseologY oil
which lal been adopted.
The Chair remarked. that the AMENDMENTS pro-
posed by tie Committee, would be first considered.
when the propositions OF other Senator'S would be
~ oTGer.
The next amendment ofimpsrtsnce, was an al.
iIiion to section 81, making ihe Commissioner re-.
ponsibie, when he took assignment for the
sthlul performance Of his duty, by recurring one
" more sureiics, nd enabling any person aggleyed
0 bring suit IN the Distric, Court, TO receive,
UGH damages as the Court and Jury may award
Which agreed TO.
An amendment proposed At The 47ih line Of the ,
bird section, was explained by a.s. Berrien, A. =
Intended TO suPeradd TO the acquisitions upon the
creditor, that Of making oath 70 the faer