Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-12-14
BANKRUPTCY BILL.
General Debate Closed in tho
House.
THE BILL MAY BIZ DEFEATED.
Col Oates Labors Hard for Ills Pet Meas
uro-wnI Now Be Rea d by Sec
tions for Amend
ment

bill will be read by sections for amend
ment.
Mr. Bailey, Of Texas, will attempt TO
secure vote on his substitute, which
includes plan merely for an involun-
tary system OF bankruptcy in order TO
| test the sense Of the house in advance
and give the members an opportunity
TO express their preference us between
such bill and the one prevailing, which
includes both voluntary and involunta-
ry bankruptcy.
Col Oates says he will resist the at
tempt 10 secure n vote on the substi-
tute before his bill has been amended.
The bankruptcy bill has undoubtedly
lost much ground during the progress
Of the debate, and its opponents say II
will be badly beaten, but Col. Oates
still maintains that II IL can be brought
10 a direct vote II will pass.
Among the executive documents laid
before the house was the annual report
-of the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES of the
army A resolution was reported from
the committee on accounts authorizing
the experiment OF several additional
clerks and laborers and assistant door
keepers, in order to bring the capitol
force up TO standard OF proper etii-
cheney
Messrs. Kilgore and Sayers made
some inquiries regarding the necessity
for this increase of expense. Mr.. Can.
non thought there was necessity for
reorganization OF the capitol force.
After some general discussion tha rcso-
luton was adopted with an amendment
eliminating one additional clerk for the
disbursing Office.
On motion OF Mr. Meyer CLa) the
house went into committee Of the
whole 20 consider tn. resolution pro.
viding for the appointment of Joint
committee 60 investigate the rank, pay
and matters relating to the personnel
of employees In the navy Wednesday,
when the resolution was being dis
cusscd, the consideration morning hour
expired while an effort was being made
TO secure n quorum.
liy unanimous consent the report OF
the naval affairs committee was read.
Mcssrs. Kilgore and Meyer took their
places as tcllcrs to ascertain the pres
encc of quorum, the question being
and report the resolution to the house,
with the recommendation that IL pass.
The vote by tellers resulted, 1870 yeas
to nays, and the clerk was directed to
call the roll, which resulted in securing
the presence of 2l0 members. But the
morning hour expired at this point and
the bankruptcy bill was taken up
Mr. Bailey spoke in opposition to the
measure. There should lie method
for the cheap, speedy and equitable
distribution of an insolvent merchants
Gssetsnmong his creditors. The pro-
posed law would not change the time
or place or manner of pleading in
bankruptcy litigation. At the proper
time he would offer q substitute for
the pending measure, comparative and
Inexpensive, providing for voluntary
bankruptcy, Those who were unfort-
unate in business had his sympathy
and he would favor any legislation
looking to their relief lie referred to
the growing Importance wrongfully
| given 10 federal courts, and to the re-
mnrkable fact that the proposed bill
made all processes against debtors
summary. bankruptcy litigation was
| given preference over all other business
before the courts.
Mr.. Oates spoke in favor of the bill.
lie began 10y referring TO the difficulties
| Of legislation. II was an error to com
pare this bill with shylocls 1t might
/ he pretty ms a figure of speech, but was
inaccurate. Shylock did not want his
money but II pound of flesh. Legis-
! lators must not espouse the cause OF
either class, debtor or creditor, but
simply prepare machinery for the
| speedy and equitable administration of
| justice. The measure contained no
harsh provisions. lie had been aston
ished to hear this bill denounced as
republican measure Politics did not
enter into the question.
Mr. Oates quoted from the speech
made against the bill by Mr.. benson,
of Alabama, last month, in which the
latter said that the only thing which
might benefit the debt.ridden people OF
this section would be the free coinage
of silver
Mr. Oates did not think any abund.
nnce of silver would benefit the poor,
rs they would have no equivalent to
/ tNthdllEN WIN silver,
MIR benson, interrupting, said that
the price of cotton and commodities
would be advanced, vases raised and
an increase of metallic circulation dis.
tributed where il was most needed.
a mild free coinage discussion fol
lowed between the Ala anna congress
men, the point OF difference being the
ratio Mr.. Oates said that when n sill
yer dollar was 90 o.ncd he wanted II tt
be worth II dollar The sent 'mcnt IN
Alabama was largely in favor of fre,
coinage, and he him, elf favored il.
Mr., Oates returning to the hill, re
piled nt length 10 the statements OF
Mr., benson, which he said were botl
extreme and vitupernt,vc, Responding
To the assertion at this bill would
drive the ltst ma | In the coffin Of lihcr
ty, he quoted Mime Ro,and's diving cN
cllmation ON III, puilloune; 30 Lib
crty, what crimes have cen committed
in thy namel
The prescat bi,l, hr id. was tn,
mildest and most humane Uunlruptc,
hill which had ever tctu presented f,,
the consideration Of congress IN,
federal constitution authorized the en-
actment Of such legislation, At III,
conclusion Of his rcmnrlSs Mr.. Gate,
gave notice that when the bill is tnl,er
up to-day II will be under the Rve-min
ute rule, general debate having beer
Terminated
. NEWS NoIEs.
william and Samuel Conrad, Tn,
brothers who killed five whitecap,