The herald., 1897-04-09

grams favoring it. evidently inspired by
Interested parties In Washington, bu
the men who wanted harsh collector
system. who loaned money and clipped
coupons. should not be aided by bank
ruptcy bill. 1t was the honest debtor
who was struggling to get on his rect
8 Mr.. Nelson criticised the Torrey Dill
In detail, stating that it was vicious
and complicated, providing fifteen dis
tinct causes for bankruptcy. The Dill
also created thirSy-four criminal or
( fenses, with severe penalties.
There was, he said, no limit to the
fees that attorneys might charge under
this bill This was one of the crying
evils of the law of 1875 under which SO
many attorneys made fortunes.
Mr. Nelson then discussed the main
features of the substitute bill. The pur-
pose of the substitute was to make the
proceedings simple and inexpensive
limiting bankruptcy to Few causes
and leaving creditors in all other cases
to the state laws. There was no demand
outside of few jobbers and wholesalers
in favor of the excessive Torrey bill.
In the northwest hard times had near
ly shipwrecked many worthy business
men. They were loaded with DEBT, ana
II was to the interest of that whole sec
ton and the country to give them law
to put them on their feet-not to stran-
gle them with a harsh engine OF coliec-
tion. Next to the tariff bill Mr.. Nelson
said he regarded conservative pank-
ruptcy BILL designed to help deDtors
as the subject of chief Importance be-
fore congress. He hoped congress would
not adjourn before passing some BANK
ruptcy bill. He said he would even be
willing to take the harsh Torrey Dill
rather than see all legislation fail.
Hoar defended the Torrey bill against
Nelson's charge of harshness. He said
that 900 debtors were waiting the
relief of this humane bill. The Nelson
substitute Hoar regarded as impracti-
cable.
Lindsay (Ky., Dem) gave notice OF
a speech at the next session IN answer
to the criticisms of the committee Dill.
Thurston (Rep., Neb) gave notice that
on next Tuesday he would address the
senate on the subject of the Pacific rail-
road debt settlement.
At 4:45 p. M the senate adjourned un-
til Monoay.
NOMINATIONS CONFIRMED.
WASHINGTON April S.-The senate
today confirmed the following nonina-
tions:
Theodore Roosevelt of New York to
be assistant secretary of the navy;
Thomas w. Gridler of West Virginia
to be third assistant secretary OF state;
Benton B. McCreery of Michigan to be
secretary of the United States legation,
City of Mexico; Captain A. S. Crownin-
shield, u. S. N, to be chief of the bu-
reau of navigation, department of the
navy; Brigadier General Frank Wheat
on. to be major general in the army;
Captain Robert Craig, signal corps, to
be major.
IN COMMITTEE.
WASHINGTON, April S.-The senate
committee on commerce granted hear
ing today on the bills before it, provid-
ing regulations for the landing of SUBJ
marine cables in the United States. but
reached no conclusion in regard to the
bills.
COMMITTEE VACANCIES.
WASHINGTON, April S.-The Re-
publican and Democratic senators have
at last apparently begun serious efforts
to reach an understanding upon a basis
of reorganization of the senate commit
tees. The managing committees of both
sides of the chamber were in session dur
ing the greater part of the afternoon
today, and subcommittee representing
both parties met in conference for the
exchange of ropositions--Senators Nc
NIillin, Gallinger and Carter represent
ing the Republicans, and Senators Cor
man, Cockrell and Faulkner the Demo-
Gratis
The Democratic conferees outlined the
position of the Democratic side of the
chamber to be that the Democrats should
be allowed to fill the committee places
held by Democrat is in the last congress.
The Republicans proposed that the re-
organization should take place on the
basis of percentages, an arrangement
which they adHni.ted would result in
reducing the Democratic representation
in the committees to an average extent
of one member.
This did not prove an acceptable basis
of settlement to the Democrats, where
upon the Republicans suggested a COM
promise agreement They called atten-
tion to the fact that the Republican plu-
rality over the Democrats was nine now
whereas it was only two at the begin
ming of last session. This it was pointed
out, would require about twenty more
committee appointments than in 1895
They suggested that the Democrats
should make concessions that would give
the Republicans a sufficient increase of
places to permit them to take proper
care Of their increased number of sena-
tors.
This proposition was only tentatively
made and conditionally considered. The
Democratic senators indicated dispo-
sition to recommend its favorable con-
sideration TO their caucus committee,
providing an understanding can be
reached upon the allotments of the COM
mittees on finance and appropriation.
Those vacancies have been the real bone
on contention from the beginning. There
are two vacancies in the finance COM
mittee, one caused by the retirement of
q Democratic senator and the other by
the retirement of a Republican, and
three on the appropriations committee,
all caused by the failure to secure re-
election. The Democrats stated en-
phatically that the party they repre-
scented would allow no diminution of the
Democratic strength on that committee.
on account of the silver issue, but said
Il was possible they might concede one
additional Republican on appropriations.
They agreed to present the matter to the
full committee. The proposition was af-
terward brought to the attention of the
full Democratic caucus committee, but
no definite action was taken. There