The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-06-02
FORTY.NINTH CONGRESS.
DEBATE on THE BANKRUPTCY
BILLIN THE SENATE.
Mr.. Georges Speech Against the
Measure-The OleOmargarine
Bill in the House.

WASHINGTON, June l.-Houe.-Mr.
Weaver lIs. rising 10 question Of
privilege, sent 10 the Clerks desk and
had read an editorial from an Iowa
paper declaring that he had betrayed
the interests of his constituents by OPP
posing the olealbargarlne bill, init
mating that tbfs6pirons OF Armour
had their ma tina, in securing &c e tbs tbs
opposition and airing that he had
obtained his ssatW Congress through
fraud. All ihete charges he denounced
as untrue. He hal been, ands III was
in favor of the olsomargarine bill, and
il was false that he had been in
fluenced improperly in his course in
regard b that measure. No charge OF
fraud hsd been made againet him in
the contest for his seat, which had
been confirmed to him By the House
by an almost unanimous vote. He
understood that there were not more
than six gentlemen on the Republican
side who had voted that he was not
entitled to the seat.
Mr.. Blount Ga. from the Commit
tee on PostoffiCts and Postrosds, re.
ported a bill amending the statutes
Ie'a i've b the transmission OF lottery
advertisements through the mails.
House calendar
Mr.. LafToon XIV. !, from the Com
miitee On Public LAnds, reported
bill fer the forfeiture II the land grant
TO the New Orleans, Baton Rouge and
VicksbuTg railroad. House calendar.
The House thea went into commit
tee Of the whole (Mr. Springer Ill ]
in the chair on the oleomargarine
bill.
TIE first amendment in order was
that offered by Mr.. Daniel Va. abol-
thing the tobacco tax and il WAS re-
jscted-52 TO Ill.
The amendment also offered by Mr..
Daniel abolishiDg the tax on fruit
brandy was Iejected-.SS TO 1876.
Mr.. Dunbam I'M offered an
amendment reducing from 10 cents
pound to 3 cents pound the tax on
oleomargadne.
Thea amendments were offered fix
ing the rate st and cents a pound,
but they we're rejected, only, however,
after couple Of hours had been con-
sumed in securing quorum.
On motion OF Dir. Hatch Mo. the
amendment offered by Mr.. Durham
was amended go as 10 fix the rate at s
cent?, and as 50 amended 1t was
agreed to.
On motion OF Senator Dolph the
Senate resumed consideration OF the
Nor hsrn Pacific land forfeiture bill.
Spec ches were made by Senators
Dolph aud George, and at . o'clock,
Senator George still having the floor,
the matter went over until tomorrow
and the bankruptcy bill was placed
before the Senate.
After Senator Hosr, by unanimous
con ent, had secured some verbal
amendments to the bill Senator George
move d TO strike out all the sections that
provide for involuntary proceedings in
bankruptcy.
Senator George said he was willing TO
vote for bill that would allow an UNI
fortunate debtor TO start again in life
by a surrender OF his properly and
getting an aCquittal. He was not will
ling 10 vote for any scheme OF invol-
untary bankruptcy, 6spec' ally when
characterized by the harsh proceed
ings provided by this bill. The theory
OF the bill, Mr.. George said, seemed TO
be that every man who became insol-
vent wss either knave or fool. That
was not q correct theory. Calamities
for which they were not responsible
sometimes overlook the most efficient
and energetic business man, calamities
induced by the government, some-
times by the agents OF the government,
the banks. The putting OF such men
into bankruptcy and taking the man
agement OF their business out Of their
own hands and putting it into the
hands OF a court was the worst posi-,
BILE thing 10 do. Senator George arr
gued that the effects OF the bill on thG
business OF the Southern States would
be ruinous He also objected to the
bill not permitting man to give pref.
erence among creditors, such as was
allowed by the laws Of nearly all the
States. II often happened that man 8
condition, even his honor, required
that he should give preference.
Senator Hoar believed the bill Sc
cured a more favorable consideration
for the debtors interest than II wss
possible for the debtor TO secure with
out the bill. Senator Hoar instances
a number OF conditions and rights
which the bill secured for the debtor
among these, he stated that the bill
gave the man his freedom. 1t gave
him $500 to put in his pocket; it gave
his family a ma nlenanCe for six
months, aud it saved his estate from
being "gobbled" up by one creditor
after another, thus having his business
increased by heavy cost. 1t gave a
day laboTer lien for his wages before
payment of the ether creditors. The
only thing it did not do, was ii did not
allow shylock to Say to the debtor
81 will get all this property for my
sell" without regard to the rights of
either the debtor or the other creditors.
Senator George argued in contra
veation Of Senator Hoar's points, and
in the course OF his remarks said he
had never known Of the administra.
ton Of a bankrupt estate without
everybody being swindled, creditors
and debtors alike.
Senator Hoar moved TO lay Senator
Georges amendment on the table.
Before the announcement OF the
vote on this motion, ii being clear that
the result would be strongly against
il, Senator Hoar wished the bill post
poned until tomorrow. 1t seemt d to
him, he said, that the opinion OF the
Senate was against the fundamental
feature Of the bill, and il he should
be Of that opinion tomorrow he
might move 10 postpone the bill unit
December. He did not wish to dc
that without consultation with hi,
colleagues on the committee Reporting
the bill. He asked upauimous con
sen. that the bill be postponed unit
tomorrow.
Senator CObe.Objected.
Tde vote on Senator Hears motor
wss yeas u, NAYS 25 So the Sc at
declined to lay Senator Geug.'
amendment en- the table. The bi.
then went over until tomorrow.
Senator Plumb offered a resnlui OF
in regard to the Pac fC Raihoa
which YVES referred to the Commute,
- T.If.t,~4.