The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-02-07
Forty Third Congress- First Session.
SENATE.

SENATE.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 6.
Mr.. Merrimon presented a petition of North
Caroinians, asking for an appropriation of
$3.50, 900 to complete certain public improve
ments at the mouth of Cape Fear river. Re-
ferred to the Committee on Commerce.
Mr.. West introduced a bill for the relief of
Col. Daniel Mcclure, assistant Postmaster
tary Alters.
The House bill, amendatory of the act to
provide for the removal of the Flat Head a I'D
other indians in Mantana territory was token
up and passed.
Mr.. Scott, from the Finance Committee, re-
ported with amendments the bill to provide for
appraisement of merchandise in certain cases.
Placed on the calendar.
The bill in relation to bounties was taken up
and passed. 1t provides that all who enlisted
under the proclamation of the President of
May Sd, and previous to August 1st, 1861, be
pgid bounty CT 800, provided the same has
not already been paid.
On the motion of Mr.. Morrill, of Maine, the
vote by which the resolution fixing the CON-
pensation for mileage for witnesses was passed,
was recoIsldered and he withdrew it for the
present.
The resolution requesting the Postmaster
General TO furnish information IN relation to
mail contracts, was taken up and agreed to-
MIR. Davis introduced bill to authorize the
Attorney General to settle the claims of the
The government With purchasers of property at
Harper's Ferry. Referred to the Judiciary
Committee.
The Senate proceeded to the consideration of
the bills on the calendar, and several of minor
Importance were passed.
The morning hour expired and tho Senate
resumed the consideration of the bankrupt bill
the pending amendment being that by Mr.
Sherman to fix 80 instead of 40 DAYS as the
Glme winch persons mentioned in the 29th sec
ton OF the bill should be deemed bankrupt
The yeas and nays being ordered the amend
ment was rejected, nays 90, yeas 16.
Mr.. Allison moved to amend the Both section
So that it requires one-third of the number of
creditors, representing at least one-half the
amount OF debts, to force person into bank
ruptcy, instead of one-fourth of the creditors
and one-third of the debts as recommended by
the Committee. 1t was rejected
MIR. Logan offered an amendment allowing
the court, If it be proven that the person sought
TO be adjudged bankrupt, and had sufficient as
sets to pay the de BITS, to order a stay of pro.
eeedines for six months, and if the debts are
not paid in that time, then such person shall
be declared bankrupt.
Mr.. Carpenter said he came here at the be
ginning IF the session fully prepared to vote
for the repeal of the bankrupt law, hut after a
come to the conclusion that to peal the law
would be detrimental to the debtor class He
would therefore vote for continuing the law
and would support the amendment of the Judi
ciary.
Mr.. Logan's amendment was rejected. Yeas
9, rays 80,
The Chair announced as member of the
committee to investigate the management OF
the District of Columbia, Mr.. Morrill, of Me-,
In place of Mr. Conkling, excused.
After one GA two verbal amendments the
o9th section OF the original law, as amended and
reported by the Judiciary Committee, was
agreed to by the Senate, with the exception of
nlling the blank as to the time when the pro-
VISIONS OF the section should apply to all cases
OF compulsory or Involuntary Bankruptcy
Mr. Edmunds said he desired the Senators to
look over this portion of the bill so that the
blank could be filled hereafter
The other amendment presented by the Judi
ciary Commute were agreed to with few
verbal changes.
The Conn ittee's amendments las showed by
the Senate, fix the time at 40 days within
which any banker, broker, merchant, trader,
manufacturer or miner, who has stopped or
suspended and lot resumed payment of his
commercial paper, shall not be deemed bank
rupt, and prescribe that fees, commission,
charges and allowances, exec ting actual or
necessary disbursements of, and to be made by
officers. agents, marshals, managers. assisnees
and registers in cases of bankruptcy, shall be
reduced to one-half of the allowance heretofore
provided for. The Justices of the Supreme
Court, who are to make new rules and regula-
tions in respect to the law, are empowered to
consolidate the duties of register. assignee,
marshal and clerk, and reduce the cost of
charges to the end that prolixity, delay and un-
necessary expense may be avoided.
Mr.. Edmunds offered a new amendment con
ferring jurisdiction in bankruptcy ON any Cir
cult or District Court of the United States,
which was greed to.
He also offered an amendmerS dispensing
with personal service notice il all cases OF
claims not exceeding $50, AID prov.dingl3in
cases where the amount shosld be under that
sum, notice could be- givep by publication in
the newspapers. Agreed to.
He also Offered an additional section to the
bill, providing that it should be the duty of
the marshai in each district, in July of each
year. to report to the clerk of the Distict Court
in taorfar form to be be prescribed by the JUS
ticesof the Suprme Court OF United States:
FIRST the number of cases of bankruptcy in
which the warrants came to hand. Second
how many such warrants are returned ~with
.lc fees, costs, expenses and emOiumeuts
thereof. Third, the total amount of all fees.
costs, expenses and emoluments earned and re-
ce.ved by him during the year from or in re-
spect 10 any matter in bankruptcy. Fifth,
summary statement of such fees, costs and
emoluments, inclusive of the actual disburse-
ments in bankruptcy received or earned during
the year. Fifth, summary statement of all
actual disbursements in such cases, also re-
curing every register to report in like manner
the number of voluntary and compulsory cases
IN bankruptcy coming before them during the
year. The amount of assets and liabilities of
the 6ankrukt the amount and rate of per ce Mt
age OF all dividends declared and the DISPOSE
ton OF all such cases. he is required to make a
similar return and the clerk Of the court in
august OF each year, is required to transmit to
10 the Attorney General list of cases pending
ana disposed, the dividends declared and the
disposition of the cases. Whenever any Off
Ger mas tailed to make his report, &c., any vio-
frns, &c 10 - H.
mission from office and the party offending
Will be guilty of misdemeanor and upon con-
vlctlon IS to be fined not more than $500 or i'm
prlsoned not exceeeing one year. This section
was adopted
| Mr.. Thurman Offered an amendment abol-
hing the Office of Register of Bankruptcy and
athorlziDg the Dlstrc: Courts to make SUCH
eoeers and take such steps as may be necessary
Waiudicate aud dispose of all such matters
81 ole reeadings in bankruptcy, now pending be-
lore sub Registers. Also givins the Distriot
Coufs he Power, where it may appear neces-
| sary aid advisable, to appoiut special COM
missloner to peform any of the duties hereto
fore perlorled D. Registers, such power to be
| fees or compensatory shall be paid to such com
mlsslonsr exceot soen}s allowed by the CONT.
Mr.. Thurman said tint the Judges had am-
pie time in threefourths,f the districts to dis:
| charge all their duties
| Mr. Eununas opposed TN amendment, say
see SO mauy Republicans putnt of office
| Mr.. Thurman responded Nat he did not
| know single Register but ju6ed the Demo-
Gratis had pretty good share.
! Mr.. Edmunds said that the Democrats got a
share of almost everything. The amendment
| of Mr. Thurman had been considercl il com
mittee and rejected, besides which anend-
ments adopted provided for reduction Offices
| and it was not advisable to impose the Regters
duties OIL the Courts
| At his own request, he Sbeing on three Coz
| mittees, cllaing opposition, Mr.. Morrll
was excused serving on the District lnyestiga
! ton Committee.
| Mr. Sherman entered motion to reconside
| the vote by which the Senate agreed to the res
| oluton ordering an investigation iuto the DIS
trict of Columbia matters by JOINT commit
tee of the House and Senate. He SAID tner'
I had been much trouble in having senate!
| serve on this Committee and he tnought y
would answer every purpose to have the lnVes
tigation conducted by House Committee o.
| five members.
| Pending the discussion on Mr.. Thurman
| ounandmant he RpUistpr OF Da0k