The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-01-29

that when the question rightly put TO them, lhey
would not refuse extend their hand TO their fellow
citizens who were now whiting under the distress
which Of this kind could assuage. Had
there been any mitigation Of the public distress or any
of prosperity in the country to favor the repeai
Was not the reverse Of all this true Were not all
the considerations which existed when the law was
passed much stronger now than they were then ana
were these considerations likely 10 be diminished IN
the fuurel No the future presented to the mind the
gloomest orebodings, instead OF Cessation oil EN-
barrassments And should they, this moment, when
the country writhing in distress, repeal TINS law
hat was the condition ofthe unfortunate Class OF ueo
ors Three DAYS only were 10 elapse before the law
would go into effect and the spectacle that was no"
presented resembed IT, scene OF unfortunate men IN
oarceraed in Jais and the gloomy cells OF dungeons
looking for the operation ofths measure TO bring 70
health and vvacity hut, repeal the law and all theii
hopes and happy anticpaons were blasted. In an
other view Of this subject the prison doors were al
most opened wide they rushed to enjoy the light OF
Heaven-and at this moment, what was asked
Why that they should be flung back again into
gloom, and doomed, with the grating of the doors up
on their hinges, dwelling on their ears II the Be
nate could do this he could not he could not do 1t,
and he would not do it.
The Senate resumed the consideration of the bill to
repeal the Bankrupt law
MIR. BENTON continued his remarks from yester-
day. and observed that the concluding words OF the
Senator from Kentucky about the opening OF the
doors of prisons, and enjoying the light oil Heaven
had carried the Imagination OF the Senator so high
as to induce him to suppose that all bankrup's
lying in Jail, and that in three days the
doors would be unlocked Il at the bankruPts
might bask in the sunshine Every speech in favor OF
the Bankrupt law had turned upon an assumption
which had no foundation in fact, 1t was all piece
of fancy and fallacy brought forward to influence le
gslaton. He said that the Bankrupt law, so called,
was not Bankrupt law in fact, but an nsolvent aw'
the object of which the abolition OF debt at the
will and pleasure of the debtor without regard to
the wishes of the creditor; and all its provisions and
enactmens had for their object the abolition oil CON
tracts and debts He then stated his objections, IN
detail, against the bill.
Mr. WILLIAMS, after reading the resolutions OF
the Legislature of Maine, adopted IN lo4O, SAID mat
in the absence of other data to the views OF the
people of that State upon the subject he felt himself
bound against the repeal and although, 1t DID
not include banking corporations and he had other oo-
jections it, yet he believed that was such law as
he would be induced to sustain and he had not seen any
manifestation the part of the people OF Name why
it should not go into operation
The question was then taken, and decided in the
negatiye-Yeas %, nays 49, as follows:
YEAS-Messrs. Allen, Archer, Bayard, Ben
ton Calhoun Fulton, Graham, King, Linn, Nc
Roberts, Morehead, Pierce, Prentiss, Riyes Sewer,
Smith, of Connecticut Sturgeon, Tappan, Woodbury.,
Wright, Young-22
NAYs-Messrs Barrow, Bates, Berriep, Choate,
Clay, Clayton Evans, Henderson, Huntington, Kerr,
Mangum, Merrck, Miller, Phelps Porter, Simmons,
Smith, of Indiana, Southard Tamadge, Walker,
White, Williams Woodbrdge-23.
So the bill to- repeal the Bankrupt law was re
jected.
Mr.. MANGUM requested the Reporters to state
that his friend, COL Preston, and Mr.. Mouton, were
absent from the city.
The Senate then adjourned till Monday next