Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1842-01-18
CONGRESSIONAL.

The prominent subjects under discussion in Con-
gress since our last notice of Congressional pro-
ceedings, have been the Tariff, the General Bank
rupt Law, and the Secretary's plan of Fiscal
Agency. Each of these subjects are destined to
consume much time. A strong effort will be made
the present session, to repeal or render nugatory
the operations of the General Bankrupt Law, and
the friends of this measure entertain some fears
that the effort will be attended with success. We
copy from correspondent of the New York Tr-
! bune sketch of the proceedings in the House on
this subject.
The bill introduced by Mr. Benton to postpone
the operation of the Bankrupt Act till the first of
July next so as to amend it by including Corpora
tons, taken up and MIR. Berrien moved it's
reference to the Committee on the Judiciary.
The proprety of the reference of the bill to any
committee, considering that the time is near
| when the Bankrupt Law ls to take effect, was dis
cussed by many Senators, most of them, both
friends and opponents OF the act, concurring in the
opinion that reference not necessary The
merits of the principles of the Bankrupt bill were
scarcely reached, although many illusions were
made to its mperfrctions. Mr.. Mangum had heard
from Judicial authority that unless the officers in
vested with the execution of the law, as it now
stands were invested with ubiquity it could not be
Was tlic Dlll III lIlllc
could be given for the proper amendments MIR.
Calhoun concurred in these views. MIR. Clay was
In favor OF the law the broad principle that it
demanded by the commercial and other states,
and because the General Government only had the
power of passing law of this kind. If the bill
were imperfect, he should have no objection to post
poning its operation for time to amend it. MIR.
Buchanan urged the impractlblty of the act, and
that the courts would not be able to perform the
business growing out of it. Mr.. Henderson said
it mi CHIT be imperfect, and mi ght throw too much
business before the courts but all that could should
be done; and there many cases under its operation
which would not come to courts, but be settled by
ma gstrates Mr.. Preston had no objection to &C
ting this bill it ought to be considered be-
fore the time arrived for 1t take effect Mr.. Hun
tington said that public opinion still remained in
favor of the act. Mr. Tallmadge wished that the
act should have fair trial, and that it should 90
into operation at the time fixed, and then when de-
fects were discovered In its operation they could be
remedled. He opposed to postponing the bill
and much more to repeating it. Mr.. Barton urged
the necessity of immediate action the bill, as but
thirty days-twenty only of which were legislation
days-remained before the act to take effect
The question was then taken the reference,
and lost Yeas Is, Nays 25. Thus the bill with
out reference remains before the Senate.
With regard to the fate of the Bankrupt Bill an
other correspondent of the Tribune remarks -
Mr.. Benton's bill to postpone the operation of the
Bankrupt Law until July next had its second read
ing, and motion of Mr.. Berren to refer it to the
Committee on the Judiciary, the Senate refused by
a large majority. This vote indicates a DISPOSE
ton the part of that body to indulge the Senator
from Missouri and there is some well grounded
apprehension that the law will finally be repealed.
The osensble object of this movement is to amend
the law by inserting provisions to embrace corpo-
rations, and render it more practicable but the
better informed are of opinion that total repeal
is intended.