The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-05-07
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS.

Washington, May 2.-The house to-
day, after five days of debate, passed
the Henderson bill to establish a uniform
system of bankruptcy by vote of lo'
to 81.
The majority in favor of the bill was
greater than it's friends anticipated,
owing largely to the fact that quite a
number of members, who desired only
voluntary bankruptcy bill, after beng
defeated. voted for the measure as
passed. There were but two amend
ments, one unimportaDt, the other
| making the non-payment or note M, Ior
thirty days an act of bankruptcy, Inc
| bill. as passed. is based upon the Iorreyy
bankruptcy bill, which has been urged
| before congress for several years.
| 1t provides for both voluntary and IN
voluntary bankruptcy. Under its terms
are eight acts for which a debtor can be
forced into involuntary bankruptcy, as
| follows:
First-If a person has concealed him
self with intent to defeat his creditors
for forty-eight hours. -.
Second-Faied for thirty days whlie
insolvent to secure the release OF any
property levied on for $500 or over:
Third Made a transfer of any OF ms
| propert! Niln iiiteht W
itOrs. A.
Fourth-Made an assignment for the
benefit of his creditors.
Fifth-Made while insolvent a trans
fer of any of his property for the pur'
pose of giving a preference.
Sixth-Procured or suffered Judg
ment to be entered against himself WITH
intent to defeat his creditors or suffered
same to remain unpaid ten days.
Seventh-Secreted any of his property
to avoid being levied upon under lega
process against himself.
Eighth-Suffered, while insolvent, al
execution for $500 or over to be returned
no property found.
On motion of Mr.. Spalding (Rep) OF
Michigan the ninth act of bankruptcy
as defined in the bill, was stricken out
as follows: 49,.
Suspend and not resumed for thirty
days. ,..
Mr.. Hepburn Rep.) of Iowa denounced
the bill as Il fraud on its face.
An amendment offered by Mr.. Manor
| (Rep) of Pennsylvania to compel thu
petitioners in an involuntary proceeding
to file a bond sufficient to cover dam
ages and costs in case the petition II
dismissed was adopted. As to 1S3.
Mr.. w. A. Stone, (Rep.) of Pennsyl
yania moved to strike out the involuntar,
features of the bill. Defeated, {:
to 102.
Various attempts to strike out various
acts of bankruptcy provided III the bil
were also defeated.
Mr., Henderson, in charge of the bill
closed the debate and at 4 o'clock. unde
special order, the bill was reported t.
the house. where. under the agreement
Mr.. Bailey Dem) of Texas and MIR
Broderick (Rep.) of Kansas offered tw'
Substitutes. each for voluntary sys
TEN of bankruptcy.
Mr. Bailey's substitute was defeated
on rising vote, 50 to 12O.
Mr. Broderick's substitute. which wa
substantially the bill for yoluntar!
system of bankruptcy. reported by TIT
senate committee, was also defeated OF
an ave and nay vote, 112 to 12S.
Mr.. Stone Rep) of Pennsylvanl,
moved to recommit the bill to the judi
ciary committee with instructions to re
port the bill back amended so as to con
fine the involuntary feature of the bil
to cases of actual fraud.
The motion was lost, So to ll6.
The bill was then passed.
Mr.. Turner Dem.) of Virginia called
up the contested election case of Ihorp
VS.. McKenny from the Fourth Nirgini;
district. The report was unanimousl.
in favor of the contestant, Mr. Thorpe
and without opposition it was adopted.
Mr.. Thorpe was then sworn in.
During the debate Mr.. Hit, chairman
of the committee on foreign AFFAIRS
called up and passed without objection
the senate bill. passed yesterday. appro
priating $4,000 for the expenses of th
Rehring sea commission on its delibera
tons at San Francisco.
At 5:15 the house adjourned.