The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-12-14
FIFTY-THIRD CONGRESS-.
SLEEPY DAY IN THE SENATE AND
NOTHING DONE.
Debate on Bankruptcy Bill Closed in The
House-Bailsy Of Texas Made Long
Speech Opposing it in Its Present
Form-Politicsl Gossip, Etc.
SENATE.


met a noon with very light attend
ance. The motion by Senator Cor
man Dem, Ind that when the senate
adjourn today it be to meet on Mon
day next, was agreed to.
Senator Hill Dem, n. Y gave no
tice that on Monday next Immediately
after conclusion of the morning bust
ness. he would move to take up FOL
consideration the bill to repeal the
federal election laws reported from the
committee on judiciary.
Several minor bills were passed, an
aYecutiye session was held and the
senate adjourned until Monday.
HOUSE.
General debate in the house on the
bsnkrnptcv bill closed this afternoon
and beginning tomorrow the bill will
he read bv sections for amendment.
Mr.. Bailey Tex Twill attempt to secure
q vote on his substitute which includes
a nlan merely for an involuntary sys-
tenn of bankruptcy in order to test the
sense of the house in advance and give
the members an opportunity to express
their preference as between such Dill
and the one prevailing, which includes
both voluntary and involuntary bank
ruptcv. Col. Oates says he will resist
the attempt to secure vote on the
substitute before his bill has been
amended The bankruptcy bill has
undoubtedly lost much ground during
the proeress of the debate and its OPP
moments saw 1t will be badly beaten,
but Col Gates still naintaines that II
it can be brought to direct vote It
will pass. ,..
During the morning hour a resolu--
ton authorizing additional clerical
force for the house aroused some OPP
position from Messrs. Savers and Kill
gore, and Cannon Oils J, took occasion
to cbide and reproach the Democratic
side with backsliding in pledges OF re-
trenchment and reform. The reso.u.
ton, however, passed.
JJnon announcement of expiration OF
the morning the house resolved itself
into committee of the whole for fur
Their consideration of the bankruptcy
bill. Mr.. Bailey (Tex), in charge OF
the opposition, antagonized it in a
brilliant speech. He referred to many
acute financial perturbations in the
history Of the country which stranded
thousands Of our citizens and left as
their ouly refuge from their creditors
the bankruptcy court. 1t was their
only hope of releasing and unfetterlng
their energies so they could begin life
anew. An equitable bankruptcy law
could work no possible injury to either
creditor or debtor. He felt that a
majority of the house favored some
proper measure, but as to the proposed
bill radical differences existed
as to whether it was the measure. He
did not so consider it, therefore. OPP
posed it. It's most objective feature
was its cumbrous, complex system OF
involuntary bankruptcy. He thought
the Objectionable features of the pend
ing bill so intricably interviewer in the
text of it's plan that it could not be
amended and made acceptable. In
addition to the Injustice of the clause
which would force delinquent debtors
into bankruptcy against their will, it
was unjust to provide against prefer.
red creditors in case of financial dis
tress. IT discredits the state judiciary
and commits all questions arising
under mercantile transactions to fed
eral Judges The bill should be styled
bill TO disestablish state courts and
constitute federal courts the debt col
lecting agencies. Much OF Baiey's ar
gument was confined to the legal
phases of the bill and frequently elicit
ed applause In concluding he APP
pealed to the Democrats to beware
how they passed bankruptcy law in
the present condition OF the country.
The Democratic party never dared
before pass such law, how
dare it pass the first law of its
character, "lf we must pass this law, y
said he, "for Gods sake let us end this
.disgracerul farce of claiming we do it
for the benefit of debtors, not credit
ors, making the one with the empty
good will giving to the other the
weapons its avarice craved. 1t NAV be
the debtors of the land should be har-
rowed with new penalties and hard
ships. II so. let us lay aside the mask
and forge letters with courage that
will half redeem the sin; let us put
aside false pretense and avow that we
pass the law for the better security OF
those for whom the courts are now
open; not in the interest OF the op.
pressed and stricken debtors"
Bailey's eloquent peroration evok ed
much applause In closing the general
debate for the advocates of the bill.
Colonel Oates divided the house into
bulls and bears of legislation. The
former creators of legislation. the lat
ter opponents of all new legislation.
All creators were antagonized; their
works picked to pieces and ridiculed,
their motives impugned; The authors
OF this bill were held up to the con-
tumely and scorn as actuated by
the spirit of Shvock, the Jew. He
proceeded to answer various criticisms.
He explained the charge that the bill
provided imprisonment for debt was
without foundation He denied that
the bill had any harsh provisions, AM
expressed willingness to accent any
amendments proposed in good faith
and sustained by honest argument.
During dialogue between Messrs
Oates and Der sin ala J, which drifted
into lie money question, the latter
who was an a'lent free coinage Dem
ocrst, spoke q the day when Demo
cratic house would renonetize silver
1.-The gentl'nan does not seem to
think this is a Den n,ratic house, " Mr.
Oates slid.
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