The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-23
WISE TO BE COURAGEOUS
MIR. OVERsTREET THINKS CONGRESS
SHOULD ACT ON THE CURRENCY.
House. at Least, Should Pass a Bill
The Proposed Bankruptcy
Measure.

Representative Jesse Overstreet arrived in
the city yesterday from Washington and is
stopping at the Denison. He will spend
Christmas in Franklin and will return to
his duties at the national capital about
Jan. s. Mr. Overstreet last night gave an
interesting outline of the work now before
Congress. He stated that the earnest labors
of Congress will begin Immediately upon the
reassenbling of the body after the holidays.
Much time has already been devoted to the
appropriation bills, and the House commit
tees have all been fully organized ready to
take up their respective work in January
Mr.. Overstreet is very much interested in
the proposed bankruptcy bill, being MEM
Der of the judiciary committee that has
charge of the measure. Speaking of this
bill he says that it is very probable that its
consideration will follow Immediately the
passage of the appropriation bills and that
such consideration will be reached early in
the yeag.
THE BILL" said Mr.. Overstreet, sis framed
along the lines of the Torrey bill. The
committee thinks that the measure as just
reported will be less criticised than any
measure that has heretofore been presented
on the subject of bankruptcy. The bill has
been most thoroughly and critically pre-
pared and aims to give full and proper con-
sideration to both debtor and creditor. A
careful examination of the measure will
in my judgment show that such legislation
will be of benefit to the country. The
abuses which existed under the old law have
all been avoided and the severe criticisms
and objections which were lodged against
it cannot be urged against the present meas
ure. The bill will have the support of some
of the best Democratic lawyers in the
House. The voluntary feature will probably
be approved by the minority. while num-
Der of the Democrats will support the en-
tire measure. There is no question that the
bill will pass the House early in the year.
MONETARY REFORM.
When asked about the prospects of none
tary reform legislation Mr.. Overstreet gave
it as his opinion that there is growing sem
timent in favor of the House taking action
upon the subject. Legislation upon the
currency question" said he, continues to
absorb the interest of Congress. Early in
the session two dangers appeared to cause
members of the House to hesitate In any
effort for currency reform. One was the
fear that the Senate would refuse to act
or at all events would be adverse to the
views of the House. The other was the
danger that the members of the majority
would be unable to agree among them
selves. The first danger is causing little
trouble just now as the House should not
and cannot escape responsibility by en-
deavoring to shift it to the other branch of
should act in this matter regardless of
what the Senate may do. The second dam
ger seems to be giving way, as it appears
that it is not at all impossible or even i'm
probable for the members of the House to
agree upon this question. For my own part
| am very firmly of the opinion that an
made to prepare and pass through the
House measure in line with the we'll
established views CT the Republican party.
Having declared i'll favor of the gold stand
ard, no other alternative is left then but
to pursue it to it's logical and scientific con-
illusions. am still persuaded that the eff
forts of the currency commission will result
in the preparation of a measure that VIII
commend itself to the business world. This
attention to the question and will shortly
submit to the public its conclusions. l have
such confidence in the men comprising that
commission that I feel satisfied Congress
will give attention to their recommends
ftions.
1T is altogether likely that the Republic
an members of the Indiana delegation III the
House will be in favor of taking strong
ground on this question. ] can see no spe-
cial reason for haste in framing such a
measure and think that the banking and
currency committee of the House will give
it thorough and conscientious conSidera-
ton. The Republican party has never lost
anything by being courageous, and l think
upon this question the party will not depart
from it's position and will treat the sub
ject with care and with firmnesS.
THE FEDERAL BUILDING
Speaking about the chances of an appro-
priation for the Indianapolis federal build
ing, Mr.. Overstreet said that no policy has
yet been foreshadowed on the subject OF
new public buildings. THE lack of rev.
enue,' said he, lis the only thing in the
way of an appropriation for this city.
am very much afraid we will have diff
Guilty in obtaining early legislation, but 1
am satisfied that If any such legislation
is had this session Indianapolis will be taxi
en- care of. The committee has not yet con-
sidered any of those bills, but / have the
assurance that the Indianapolis Dill shall
receive proper attention and l shall see to
1t that the committee keeps its word"
Mr.. OVerStreet also expressed himself as
much gratified by the action of the depart
ment in granting improved facilities for the
Indianapolis poStoffice and the extension of
the free-delivery system to the annexed
suburbs He said that the free-delivery ex-
tension will be made operative Feb. J. by
which time the carrier stations will be
fully equipped and all the necessary boxes
placed. The letter boxes all now being
posts. There will be q sufficient number
az carriers and clerks to make the service
at Indianapolis effective, and the office VIII
be as thoroughly equipped in men and
money as any in the country.