New-York tribune., 1886-06-05
IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT.
A HEARING BEFORE GOVERNOR HILL.
ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST THE MEASURE
TIE GOVERNORS VIEWS AS TO CLERGYMEN.
lBr TELEoRArH TO TIE TRIBuNEl

ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST THE MEASURE
TIE GOVERNORS VIEWS AS TO cLERGYMEN.
[Br TELEGRAPH TRIBUsEl
ALBANY, June 4.-GOvernor Hill gave hear
Ing this afternoon on Speaker Husteds bill aboishing
Imprisonment for debt. Erastus wiman. who worked
Win great energy to get the bill through tho Legss
ture was present to advocate It, Ho supported in
MS arguments for tho by Charles watrous,
Gilbert K Hawes. c. c. Leeds. James Ross and W. ii.
Miller The opponents of the bill Edward p VIII
der, Charles Benner. j. II. Ross and J. G.. Hail. As
usual the Governor first heard the arguments of those
VINO were opposed to the bill Mr. Wilder made
tho first speech. He said that 1t
would authorize general jail delivery.
THAT is very proper, isn't it. II the bill is right
said Governor HILL
al should say not" said Mr.. wilder
1t seems to me-" Governor, that there
should be no distinction between the debtor in jail
and the mau who may become debtor. The bill must
be based upon abuses the past which this bill is meant
to redress"
"Nel' said Mr.. Wilder, al have another objection
TO this BILL and that Is any change which mutpes
the difficulties In proving fraud is bad one This does
that In nine out of IL is impossible for the
creditor to discover the fact OF fraud In advance OF
suit to recover his property. Suppose the defendant
doesn't dispose Of his property TIL just before the trial.
have known OF men disposng of their property
stay OF proceedings. Now, you get body execu-
ton"
Isn't the fraudulent disposition punishable by law 2"
inquired the Governor.
"It Is" replied Nh. wilder. "but you oant get any
grand jury ndct a dlsposing OF his property
on the eve OF bankruptcy"
DO not city merchants" saii the Governor ain their
anxiety TO sell goo Is. fairly force their upou
country merchants and then have them arrested on the
charge OF fraudulent representation e.
"Inat may be So" replied Mr. Wilder" but this is a
bill In the interest OF tho slippery Dicks tho dis
honest mon who do to pay for their
goods. II you going to sweep away tho
redress have now, you should give me
substitute. Why should release the rich thieves who
can get bail for the jail limits Of York, which is
great hardship IL is In the interest Of some rich
thieves that this bill is passed"
Permit me-" said the Governor, TO ask You II this
bill had been in operation in Tweeds time, although ne
had stolen 6Ooo000 II he woulI have been released at
tho end OF six months r.
" lie would have BEEN" replied Mr. " ilder 4" 1t is
bil in the interest OF the rich thieves. Such
man decide whether 1t is not worth his while to
steal sufficiently large endure six months in
Jail limits"
"1hc law now says" said the Governor. that man
who has deDt Of 500 can be imprisoned all his e He
may be sorry for it the next week,
but the Judges can keep him imprisoned. received
f. judge OF the supreme Court. OF this District in which
he say that he Is in favor OF abolisng inprsoninrnt
question 10 be decided 49, Is II night 10 mpflsOn man
Tor life for debt We have direct state menl IN our
statutes TO that effect and yet our laws perm.tlt
j. T. Ross said that The trainers OF the bill had nlscOn-
strued object OF imprisoning for debt Ii was
for the purpose OF compelling them to disgorse fraudu
lcntly acquired gains
suppose said the Governor, "a man. after judg-
ment IL rendered against him. gives 500 10 his daugh-
ter lie Is mad at his creditor aud tries to beat M out
OF the money Then under examination he ACKNOWLEDGES
the deed and says: Yes. did that was angry. |
would surrender the money now II l could. Dut my
daughter has gone west with it. Gould ne be I'M
prlsonrdl'
Mr. Mills replied that he could not be imprisoned and
Mr.. Miler said that he could be.
Mr. Benncr protested against the bill being signed on
the ground that under exMayOr DeDeyJse OF Long
ISlnnd city, charged with keeping possession Oh
100000 wOnd bc released.
Erlstus Nlnan made an earnest speecn IN support
the bill presented resolutions IN Its favor pssed
yesterday by the Chamber OF Commerce OF Newly lorR
and also a petition signed by 200 cergymcn.
Clergy men," SAID the Governor, grasplng at the
document seem TO have got on % pelohs TINS year.
They all broken out with them"
" In my opinion, Governor" said j. g. Hall, clergy
men, although honest. more competent To speak
ON "A question Of this kind III many children
Mr. Leeds appealed 10 the Governor 10 sign the meas
urc, saying mpr sOnment for debt was relic OF
baI barisn With this speech the hearing ended