Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1872-01-30
The Bankrupt Law.

The resolution of Capt. A. r. Bush
nell in the Assembly to repeal the U.
5. Bankrupt law was referred to the
committee on Federal Relations.
Tho committee on Friday last recon-
meRded it's adoption with an amend.
ment striking out the words, The
Federal Courts are thus brought into
disreputO."
MR. BUSHNELL said be highly app
proved the recommendation Of the
Committee, 30 far as II favored the
adoption Of the resolutions, but
thought they had been mistakenly
tender toward the United States
courts and the bankrupt law, in their
recommendations to strike out, it not
being intended IA any reflection on
the judges Of those courts, who were
simply compelled by the law to take
cognizance of actions under il as they
did. He had great respect for the
federal courts, but it was disgrace
that actions should be brought in
them and large costs made on claims
for which the mesnest justice OF the
peace would hardly issue summons.
Ten times the original claim was of,
ten made in costs. Some 500 or 600
summonses had been sent down TO
his county Grant, on suits ranging
from 81 to 500, and from 500 to $50
costs made, and men could not afford
to employ attorneys to defend these
cases in the United States Courts at
great distance from their homes,
hence it was better to pay--however
unjust or fraudulent the claims. The
question was is this clause true. 1t
certainly was in his county, and he
believed throuhout the State. IL
was the duty Of the Legislature to
inform our members Of Congress
what the people Of Wisconsin thought
of this law, and be hoped the clause
would not be stricken out.
ME-. CoLMAS explained the action
Of the committee. The words refer
red to, though not directly reflect.
ing on the federal courts. might be so
construed, and the mass Of the feder-
al judges, he thought, were honorable
men.
The amendment was lost, and tho
resolutions adopted almost unani-
mousy. The following are tt Teso-
lutions passed:
WHEREAS, The act Of Congress entitled an
"Act 10 establish uniform system OF bank
ruptcy throughout the United States - approx
ed March ., 1867, by furnishing insoIyents
with an opportunity 10 relieve themselves
I from heavy burdens Of debt which they are
unable TO pay, has met the exigenry which
demanded its passage, and its continued eK-
| istance as q law furnishes INSCRIPTIONS debt
ofs with temptation 10 deiraud and swinde
their creditors, while il at the same time gives
TO creditors g despotic power over honest
| debtors that is repugnant 10 the sense OF free
dom and justice Of American citizen and
WAEREAs, Through its provisions permit
ting suits to be brought by assignees OF bank
rupts in the United States Courts, for trivial
| sums, our citizens are compelled. as a lesser
/ evil, 70 pay the most unjust and fraudue
claims, with large costs, rather than defend
! against them, IN distant courts, at a many
times greater expense, and the assets Of bank
rupls are thus largely consumed in fees TO
those charged with the execution Of the Law /;
| and
WHEREAS, The Federal Courts are thus
brought into great disrepute. and said act 10
perverted into means for the un2unishsbe
plundering of the people therefore,
RESOLVED by the Assembly OF the State Of
! Wisconsin, the Senate concurring, That our
Senators and Representatives in Congress be,
and they are hereby requested, and TO the
extent of our right 30 TO do, instructed 10 use
all honorable means in their power to secure
the repeal Of said act. and all acts aud parts
Of acts smendstory thereof.