The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-02-10
CONVERSATIONAL
MONDAY, February 9.
The unfinished business-being the
BANKRUPT BILL,

MONDAY, February 9.
The unfinished business-being the
BANKRUPT BILL,
was then taken up, the question being on
the amendment OF Mr.. Thurman to abol-
ish the office of register in bankruptcy,
and authorizing the district judges, in cases
of necessity, to appoint master commission.
ers.
Mr.. Thurman, in advocating his amend
ment, said it would be measure of econo-
my.
Mr.. Frelinghuysen thought, on the other
baud, that it would result in additional eX-
pense.
Mr.. Morton opposed the amendment,
and Mr.. Sumner said that if Mr.. Thurman
had not given evidence that be was in favor
of q bankrupt law, the introduction of this
amendment might we'll beget the suspicion
that he wished to kill this bill.
Mr.. Salisbury advocated the amend
ment, and spoke of the great expense of
the bankrupt system, and said that if
there was not considerable reduction he
was indifferent about the passage Of any
bill on the subject.
Mr.. Edmunds said the committee thought
that under their bill the expenses would be
reduced one-half.
The amendment Of Mr.. Thurman was
then rejected without division.
Mr.. Thurman moved an amendment.
authorizing notaries public to take deposit
lions in bankrupt cases, which was agreed
to without objection.
Mr.. Merlmon moved an amendment.
giving certain jurisdiction to the circuit
courts. Adopted.
House Under the call of states and
territories large mum Der of bills and joint
resolutions were offered and referred, the
most important of which were the follow
ing:
BY Mr.. Bland (Mo.)-Bill to repeal all
laws imposing license tax on sales of to-
bacco sold by producers.
By Mr.. Smith IN. Chill to repeal the
internal revenue tax on spirits and tobacco,
and for other purposes.
Mr.. Dawes Mass offered concurrent
resolution that when the two houses of Con-
gress adjourn on the 18th day of May next,
the presiding officers shall declare their
houses respectively adjourned sine die.
Mr.. Beck (Ky.) SAID the resolution was
anattemptto force all important legislation
into the last days of the session.
Mr.. Dawes said he had offered the reso-
luton from the purest motives and in or
der to test the sense of the House. If a
day certain was fixed for adjournment both
houses would, he believed, work up to
that point.
Mr. Beck said that was not CORE ct
statement of the case. The purpose Of the
resolution was, he believed, to force back
the revenue and tariff bills.
Mr.. Dawes retorted that Mr.. Beck had
no right to pretend to know what his pur-
poses and motives were. He would an
nounce his motives for himself In his
opinion it was good to suggest day for
adjournment in order to ensure greater
dispatch of business. Unless some action
was taken to dispatch business Congress
would be here until the middle of July or
August. He did not expect Congress to
adjourn on the very day fixed, but the
tendency would be to dispatch business.
lie thought it was a fair proposition, and
Mr.. Beck had no right to intimate that his
motives were improper.
Mr.. Beck said that Mr.. Dawes had only
few moments ago stated that all who
voted against the resolution would do so to
defeat business.
Mr.. Dawes denied that he had said so.
Mr.. Beck objected to fixing day until
all the appropriation bills at least had
been passed. lie did not desire to see the
most important legislation put off until the
last days and then have determined by
conference report which none could under
stand.
Mr.. Kelley (Pa.) argued that the whole
tendency of the resolution was evil, and
evil only. He thought the country would
demand that in the long session there should
be a full consideration of all business. He
moved to lay the resolution on the table.
Rejected 1l3, nays 1913.
Mr.. Cotton Qowa) then moved TO refer it
10 the committee of ways and means, and
that order was made.