Abilene weekly reflector., 1896-04-09

bans as result OF the adoption OF the
resolutions. In this connection Mr..
Patterson (dem.), Of Tennessee, who is
recognized as one of the administra-
tion leaders on the floor, made sig
nificant statement III the Cubans
are united" he said, lin the cause of
independence, they are entitled to au.
tonomy, and II the United States
would interfere to prevent Spain from
acquiring new territory in this hemi-
sphere, why should we not interfere to
prevent her from retaining territory
by subjugation?' Mr.. Routelle, on
the other hand, maintained that IT was
an open secret that the administration
was opposed to granting belligerency
to the Cubans. AT the session last
night several members attacked Mr..
Erdman (dem.), Of Pennsylvania, a
member of the invalid pension com.
mittee, for blocking pension bills.
Mr.. Erdman in his reply declared that
he favored meritorious bills, but that
he had opposed and would continue to
oppose bills to pension teamsters, camp
followers, photographers, deserters
and others who were not Justly enti-
tied to pensions. He referred to the
pension bills passed without debate in
the afternoon lover 80 in number) as
feast spread by the house for the ben
eft OF deserters, photographers and
bounty jumpers. Eight bills were fa-
vorably acted upon.
THE VOLUNTARY BANKRUPTCY BILL.
WASHINGTON, April 4.-The senate
committee on judiciary has decided
upon favorable report for the volun-
tary bankruptcy bill. The bill will be
reported to the senate on Monday, the
l3th inst As agreed upon by the com
mittee, it provides tina. any debtor
owing $500 or more may make a volun-
tary assignment before any com.
petent authority Of all his prop.
erty except that exempt under
the law for the benefit Of his
creditors equally, He is required
to file a full list Of all his property, ex-
empt or unexempt.and Of his creditors.
1t allows preferences only to debts due
to the United States, to any state or
territory. to servants or laborers for
service performed within one year, and
to liens or membranes on homesteads
to the extent Of $1,000. The debtor is
allowed to file petition in the United
States district four months after max
ing his assignment asking to be dis
charged from his debts, which the
court is authorized to grant after due
proceedings for the protection Of cred
itors and the observance Of the law. Es-
pecial provision is made to the effect
that this discharge shall not include any
debt which may have been created in
consequence of defalcation as public
officer or as guardian or trustee, or
while acting in any Judiciary charac-
ter The law is to remain In force for
two years only. The district courts
are made bankruptcy courts for the
purpose Of carrying the law into effect
Senator George, of Mississippi, will
have charge of the bill in the senate,
and he said that he would make every
effort to secure consideration and &C.
ton upon it during the present session.
THE MISSOURI RIVER APPROPRIATION.
WASHINGTON, April A grand kick
made by some Of the members Of the
Missouri delegation induced the com
mittee on rivers and harbors to change
Missouri river from 100000 to $3.50, ,O00
The change came at the last moment
and still it is not satisfactory. An ef
fort will be made TO increase the
amount to $5OO,0OO when the bill II
taken up in the house.
FREE HOMES IN GREER COUNTY, OK.
WASHINGTON, April 4.-The houst
committee on public lands yesterday
reported favorably a bill granting tt
residents Of Greer county, Ok, similar
benefits to those which may accrue tt
citizens of Oklahoma under the pro
visions OF the free home law. Th'
bill permits actual residents TO acquir,
title to 100 acres Of the land upor
which they reside.
THE TERRITORIAL DIVORCE INDUSTRY.
WASHINGTON, April 4.-The hous'
bill requiring residence of a year II
suits for divorce in the territories wa
received with favorable indorsemen
by the senate committee on territorie
yesterday. The committee amende'
the bill so as 10 provide that 1t shal
not affect suits already begun.
THE BIG MONEY ORDER BUSINESS
, WASHINGTON, April 4-The none,
order transactions throughout tn
; United States during the last quartz
: Of 1895 beat all previous records II
: volume. The accounts have just bee
audited, and show the receipts to hav
aggregated s1o5,755,97l.
I The vote taken by all Methods
, Episcopal conferences Of the countr
: on the proposition to admit women
lay delegates to the general conferent