The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-11-06
GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPAT cHES


IMPORTANT BILLS INTRODUCED INTO THE
noUsE-THE CHINESE INDEMNITY FUND-THE
SEVENTEENTH AMENDMENT-THE BANKRUPT
LAW.
bill introduced in tho House to-day by Represen-
tative Ward, OF Pennsylvania, provides that section
599 Of the Revised Statutes Of the United states BIO
amended that the directors Of national banks and
banking associations shall have authority their
discretion declare quarterly dividends Of tho
net profits Of SAID banks and associations.
The bill introduced in the House to-day by Repre-
sentative Hewitt, OF New York. supplementary TO tho
act carrying into effect tho convention between the
United States and China, and 10 give the Court OF
Claims jurisdiction certain cases. Is the bill
trodaccd by Mr. Hewitt last Congress- The bill pro-
vldes that any person persons, body corporate
holding and making any claim upon the balance OF tho
fund usually designated and known as "the Chinese
Indemnity Fund" under the control Of the Depart
Of State OF the United States and appropri-
ated for losses sustained b. the plumber and de-
struction, in the year 1854, OF the bark Caidcra,
and the properly board OF said vessel may,
at any time within twelve months after the passage
OF this act commence proceedings in the United States
Court OF Claims against the United States In the Same
manner other suits are brought pursuant to and in
virtue OF tho Statutes of the UniIsd States tho
shall have full jurisdiction to hear such
claim or demand according TO the principles justice
and international law, and that the proceedings,
trial. decision and judgment OF the said
Court shall be had In the manner
all other cases before the said Court
of Claims and have the same effect, aud that either
party, plaintiff or defendant. may appeal from tho
decision judgment OF said Court OF Claims the
Supreme Court OF the United States in the same man
as now provided for IN other cases
The bill further provides that II any dnal judgment
be found in favor OF claimant plaintiff the same
shall only DO paid and satisfied out OF the balance Of
sald Chinese Indemnity Fund. And If sad judgment
shall be 10 favor OF the defendant then such claim
ants shall be forever barred, in law and equity, from
hereafter making any claim upon against said fund
JOINT resolution introduced in the House to-day
by Mr. Buckncr, OF Missouri proposes tho adoption
Of a constitutional amend ment, az follows-
ARTICLE l7-All Of that part Of tho fifteenth
amendment 70 tho constitution OF the United States
which provides that "thc right OF citizens VI the
United states to shall be DENIED or abridged
by the United States by any State on account of
race, color or previous condition. shall only apply
extend to, comprehend or include persons who were
citizens Of the United States on the 3oth day Of March,
1870, when sad amendment was adopted. and their
Issue
rho purpose OF tho above Is understood to be to
prevent Chinese their desccndens in this country
from becoming voters
Tho bill introduced to-day by Representative Hard
cnberg, of New Jersey, TO relieve ships and
vessels rom compulsory pilot fees" provides that
No owner, agent, trustee consgnce any ship or
vessel duly enrolled AID licensed aud engaged the
coasting trade fishery shall by
any State be compelled TO take, employ pay pilot
not voluntarily employed, on entering or departing
from any port or harbor, entering passing through
or leaving any channel, passage strait wtnin
waters Of the United Statcs
1t was referred to the COMMITTEES on Commerce
The bill introduced by Representative Frye. OF
Maine, to-day, TO amend tho Bankrupt law = pro-
poses repeal the Bankrupt act OF March . 1867 and
al the supplemental acts on that subject, and 10
enact in lieu thereof the following:-
30 IL enacted, &c, that whenever any debtor In
dividual Grm corporation III failing circumstance es
shall make voluntary surrender gninent OF all
their property assets estate and effects Tor Tho
OF their creditors, without preference with
out having given any preference In con
temptation OF bankruptcy. under the laws OF the
the pr ncipa Office OF the corporation ~ located such
debtor shall be discharged from all further liability
tor debts existing nj the time OF such assignment or
surrender, provided the assigned estate anu ELECTS
snail 30 sufficient Ia amount To pay --- per ccntum
OF such debis, provided further that this shsl
not apply. to any dcbts owing in any hdaciary ca
pacuy.
Secoad--rhc evidence OF discharge shall be the Ger
tncac seal Of the Court having jurisdiction
The accounts
II referred TO tho Committee on the Judiciary.
The bill introduced by Representative Springer. OF
Illinois, In relation 10 tho vcnczuela Mixed Comms-
sion, directs tho Secretary Of State to abstain from
any distribution Of the moncy that Is now or may
hereafter BIO in his custody under awards OF the
mission OF 1880; recommends to the President pro-
pose TO the Venezuelan government new commission
for rchearing Of tho claims which laid before
or passed upon by the comm and arbiter
der the former Convention and also for tho cxamina
ton Of such other international claims may DO
IN Washington instead OF Caracas IL desired by this
government, and also provides, that the commission
shall have power cancel all outstanding certificates
OF award and to tissue other certificates to sucn per-
sons may be rightiuIy entitled thorcto
Among other now measures introduced to-day arc
bills by Mr. Covert. OF New York, approprrtng $50 900
to deepen and improve the channel OF Flushing bay
and harbor; BY Mr.. Neal OF OHIO, imposing duty Of