The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-04-26

ruptcies had increased daily since the
passage of the resumption act. He warned
Congress against depressing or
tempting further the struggling, suffering
and unfortunate masses, lest the voice
found a tone of prosperity disturbed before
this resumption scheme is fully executed.
Mr.. Hooker opposed reference.
Mr.. Kelly favored it. The country was
in the grandest Gf all crises, and when the
end came let men be relieved by the bank
rupt law. He pointed to the shrinking
revenues, the daily progress of pauperism,
aud begged the House to pause and not
precipiate further bankruptcy and not to
force intelligent men to regard the country
as an oppressor and look upon Congress as
a wrongdoer.
Mr.. Hanna said he would vote for the
unconditional repeal of the bankrupt law,
but only because so instructed by his
state legislature.
Mr.. Hewitt opposed the substitute and
favored either amendment or unconditional
repeal. We are marching steadily to
prosperity. Messrs.: kelly and Ewing had
astonished him by iDtimating that the
shrinkage of value was local. 1t is all over
the globe. 1t was reaction from the
speculative era which was the sole remedy.
Mr.. Frye favored reference.
Mr., Willis, of Kentucky, favored uncon-
ditional repeal. 1t was runious to the
business interests of this country.
MIR. Butler said he would vote against
repeal, even if he were alone. The bill had
better be considered 10 committee. The
gentlemen were governed by the newspa
pers and frightened at their shadow. They
were afraid to legislate like men. They
spent day over creek and let the river
OF corruption flow.
Mr. Willis. of New York, said he would
offer an amendment providing that the
bill take effect after July l.
Mr.. Burchard said necessity and the
country demanded the repeal of the bank
rupt law. The distressed condition OF the
country was not necessarily connected
with the currency.
Mr.. Lapham moved the previous ques-
ton, which was seconded. The motion to
refer was largely defeated.
Mr.. kaott's amendment to perfect the
bill was agreed TO.
Mr., McMahon's substitute was rejected,
and the bill passed, 2O6 to 80. 1t is as
follows:
That the bankrupt law, approved March
2. 1867, title 81, revised statutes, and all
acts in amendment or supplementary
thereto or in explanation thereof be and
the same are hereby repealed; provided
that such repeal shall in no manner in
validate or effect any case in bankruptcy
instituted and pending iu any court prior
to the day when this act shall take effect,
but as to all such pending cases and all
future proceedings therin and all penal
actions and criminal proceedings arising
therin, under the acts hereby repealed
shall continue 10 full force and effect until
the same shall be disposed of in the same
manner as if said acts had not been re-
pealed.
Mr.. Schleicher. from the Committee or
Foreign Affairs, submitted a report of that
committee in reference to the Mexican
border troubles, together withtbe bill in
relation thereto, requesting the President
to keep on the Texan border not less than
5000 men to protect American citizens,
and authorizing the crossing OF the border
by United States troops until such treaty
stipulations shall be made with Mexico as
may secure an efficient protection to Amer
lean citizens and property. Referred to
the Committee OF he Whole