National Republican., 1878-04-26
HOUSE OF REPREsENTATIYEs.

Tho regular order having been demanded
the House resumed consideration Of the un-
finished business ofyesterday, which: was the
Senate bill to repeal the bankrupt act.
Mr. KELLEY desired to have some undor-
standing rs TO the limitation OF debate. He
understood IL was proposed to limit 1t to two
hours, and that that time had been divided
between nine gentlemen.
Mr. MCMAHON, who lad charge Of the
bill, said that under the instruction Of his
committee, he was bound to limit debate to
| 'wo hours but it was within the power of the
House to extend the time by voting down the
previous question.
| The bill was then read.
Mr.. KNOTT said that before tho substitute
Of the committee was offered he desired to
| offer certain amendments to perfect the Sem
ate bill. II the bankrupt law is an evil It
should he repealed at once. If 1t Is a benef.
cal act II should be continued in force. But,
acting upon the hypothesis that 1t should be
repealed, 1t was desirable that tho bill should
he perfected, especially as there WAS n doubt
among many members whether the Senate
bill really repealed the bankrupt act but
whether by repeating the act of 1857 the act
of 1874, supplementary thereto, did not re-
main in force.
He therefore proposed an amendment to re-
81 Of the Revised Statutes, and the act Of jan
uary %, 1874, supplemental TO the act of 1867
There was another defect in the bill, which
was that II made no provisions in relation to
penal prosecutions, and he therefore proposed
further amendment continuing in force and
etfoct all penal actions and criminal proceed
ngs arising under the acts repealed.
Mr.. MCMAHON said that at the proper time
he would offer q substitute for the Senate bill
by which he would provide first. for the repeal
Of title 81 of the Revised Statutes and acts
regulating the bankrupt acts second, provid
ing that it shall not affect pending proceed.
ngs; third that the repeal shall take effect
Immediately AS to the involuntary clause, and
on January /, 1879, as to the voluntary clause.
Mr.. MCMAHON then proceeded to explain
his substitute. He had no doubt that perma-
ncnt bankrupt law was necessity in purely
commercial country, but 1t was not so in u
country largely engaged In agriculture.
Mr.. CONGER said that when the Senate
passed the bill the first impulse of tho Judi
riary Committee was to agree to IL, and thus
make an unconditional repeal but In view of
tho letters coming up from the people 1t was
thought best to let the voluntary clause re-
main as at present. He should vote for Mr.
MCMAHoN's substitute, and, If that was not
adopted, he would vote for the absolute repeal
Mr.. FRYE believed II was not only tho con-
stitutiOnal right but the duty of Congress to
keep bankrupt law upon the statutc-book.
Mr.. LAPllAM called attention to the his
tory of bankrupt laws in this country, and
>lid they were only made to meet times of
great distress aud after tho occasion passed
they were repealed.
Mr.. CIiITrENDEN believed there should
DO wcll-regulatcd bankrupt law but ho was
opposed to the substitute offered by Mr. Nc
MAHoN.
The bill was further discussed by Messrs.
llUNroN, EWING, COLE, KELLEY, HANNA,
FRYE, WHITE, BUTLER, WILLIS, SrENGER,
PHILLIPS, CALKINs, POTTER, and others.
A motion by Mr.. HUNToN TO refer the bill
to the Judiciary Committee was rejected
yeas, a nays, li5.
An amendment proposed by Mr.. WILLIS to
make the law take effect July / was also re-
jectod.
Mr.. KNOTS amendment perfecting tho sec.
ond section was agreed to.
Tho bill as thus amended was passed-yeas,
206; nays, 80.
The bill having been amended, must of
course, go back to the Senate.
Mr. HALE submitted tho conference report
on the deficiency appropriation bill, and 1t was
agreed TO, after which the consideration of the
bankrupt repeal bill was resumed.
Messrs. CLYMER, BLoUNr, and HALE were
appointed conferees on the naval appropria-
tiOn bill.
Mr.. SCHLEICHER, from Committee on
Foreign Affairs, submitted a report relative to
tho condition of affairs in Mexico. 1t was Or
dGred printed and recommitted.
Mr.. HAMILTON, from same committee,
submitted q report in relation to the Vene-
Luela Mixed Commission. Ordered printed
and recOmmittcd.
Nr. ACkLEN asked leave TO Offer rosolu.
ton for tho appointment of q committee of
three members TO proceed TO the state of
Louisiana aud investigate the charges of cor
ruption against Special Agent Carter and 9th.
ers in relation to the log seizures. Objected to-
Mr.. HARRIS Mass. asked leave to call up
for present consideration the bill in relation
TO the rotAOval of tho National Observatory,
but objection was made.
On motion of Mr.. ROBERTS, Senate bill for
relief Of GeOrgs X. Dennis, OF Mary land, was
taken from the Speakers table and referred to
Committee on Claims.
Mr.. COX n. " offered concurrent rosolu-
tiOn, which was agreed 10, authorizing tho ap-
pointment Of u joint committee to consider and
report upon the proper measures TO be adopted
for taking the next CENSUS Of tho United States
and TO report to the House.
Mr.. DuNNELL, from Committee on Com
merce reported back the bill constituting Jer-
sey City port OF entry, and 1t was referred tO
the Committee of tho Whole.
The House then, ut 435 p. M, adjourned.
r e M . " A L.
n n POWEN