The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-04-22
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-.
THE SENATE.
New Measures MISUNDERSTANDING of the
Bankruptcy Bill.


New Measures MISUNDERSTANDING of the
Bankruptcy Bill.
WASHINGTON, April 21.-Mr. Kenna asked
unanimous consent to add a few words to the
tributes in memoriam of the late Representative
Herndon, of Alabama. Unanimous consent be
ing given, Mr. Kenna addressed the Senate few
moments in feeling remarks commemorative OF
the virtues of the deceased.
Several petitions were presented and referred,
praying that discrimination be made between
different schools Of medicine in making medical
appointments under the United States.
A bill was passed TO provide for the relief of
the trustees of the Southern Illinois Normal
University, at Carbondale. The bill authorizes
the Secretary of War to cancel any Indebtedness
which the trustees of the university may owe to
the United States by reason of the destruction of
arms and accoutrements, the property of the
United States, by the fire which consumed the
university building
The following bills were introduced and re
ferred:
By Mr. Jonas: Providing that an industrial
and cotton centennial exposition be held in
New Orleans
A similar bill was introduced in the House by
Mr.. Ellis
BY Mr. ingalls,: To amend section 3243, Re-
ysed Statutes, so as to prohibit collectors of in
ternal revenue from charging or receiving any
special tax license or permit fee for the sale of
intoxicating liquors in any State where local
laws prohibit the sale or manufacture of such
liquors.
Mr.. Fry offered resolution which was re-
ferred to the committee on foreign relations, re-
questing the President to institute negotiations
with the government of the King of Spain for
reference to an umpire for decision the ques-
ton whether the treaty of 1919 had been fully
carried into effect and to settle and finally de-
eide what amounts remain to be paid by the
United States.
The Senate then took up the bankruptcy bill
Mr.. Van Wyck, in the course of the debate said
the principal difference he saw between the pres
ent bill and the old bankruptcy bill-against
which all classes had risen up and protested
was that under the old law the expenses in
Cured for officers compensation came from the
bankrupts estate, and in this bill they were to
come from the United States treasury.
Mr. Hoar replied that out of the bankrupts
estate a certain percentage was paid into the
treasury of the United States.
On motion of Mr.. Sherman the bill was so
amended as to make the examining officers of
the Treasury the officers to finally examine the
bills fer disbursement the bills to be- in the first
instance sworn to by the party presenting them,
and to be certified by the judge.
Mr. ingalls, said the machinery created by the
bill would be expensive. There would he
thought, be at least $50 commissioners appointed
at once, and there would be the whole number
of supervisors required by the act; that would
involve an appropriation of not less that $3.50,
600 to $500, GOO, in addition to the amount already
appropriated for the United States courts. All
the scandals of the old bankruptcy system had
grown out of the enormous expenses it involved.
Mr. ingalls, was opposed to the whole plan of
giving extra compensation to government of
ficers. 1t was vicious system Why should
supervisors and commissioners be paid travelling
expenses and extra compensation when judges of
the United States District and Cir
cult Courts did not receive extra com
pensation for any duties arising within
their Down district or circuit If the salaries
named were not sufficient, they should be made
sufficient; but they should be fixed and certain.
Under the plan of allowing extra compensations
Mr. ingalls, had doubt the administration OF
the act would involve an expense of 81, 900 00C
annually
Mr.. Van Wyck referred to the substantlated
failure of all laws intended to secure payment
into the treasury of fees collected by officers and
predicted the same fate for the fees provided fol
by this bill.
Amendments were proposed by Messrs. George
Sherman, Hoar, ingalls,, Edmunds, Morgan and
Van Wyek. The bill as amended was reported
from the committee of the whole to the Senate
and passed, yeas thirty-two. nays fifteen.
The chair then laid before the Senate the next
special order, the pleuro-pneumonia bill Ad
lourned,