The Red Cloud chief., 1897-12-10
LAWS.
STRONG FlCHTTO BE MADE
IN CONGRESS.
chairman Henderson Of the House Com
mittce Promises to Have gsrly Action
MIR. Henderson on the situation -wr.
Cannon on Currency.

WASHINGTON, Dec. & To the cues
ton, "Wbat in your opinion is the
prospect OF bankruptcy legislation Mt
the coming session of Congress?"
General Henderson of Iowa, chairman
of the House committee on judiciary,
answered: well, az to that. IL is
rather carly for me TO express an
opinion. On Monday ! propose to in
troduce "A bankruptcy bill which will
n passed by the House of Repre-
sentatives in the last Congress. There
has also been referred to this commit
tee the bill passed by the Senate at
the special session. There VIII be a
meeting of the committee early in the
week and we will exchange views on
the subject and see what prospect
there is of n favorable committee
action. Then n subcommittee will
take the matter up and frame n
measure, either n substitute for the
Senate bill, or taking that as a basis,
propose amendments 10 it"
"Do you think there is "a strong pub
lie demand for such lcgislation2" was
asked.
Yes, ! do, and believe there will
be n strong pressure brought to bear
in favor of il. such legislation prop
erly framed and guarded is required
in the opinion of a great many people
besides myself, and all for the same
reason. During the hard times of the
last administration thousands OF men
went to the wall and their energies
were bottled up, who il they
could find legal release from
the chains which now bind them
would again and Immediately resume
the activities of a business life and add
immensely to the leverage in favor of
general business prosperity. They
would be able TO share in the benefits
of the tariff Legislation of last summer.
and the country would be all tho bet
ter for it. And yet, strong resistance
will undoubtedly be offered TO the en-
actment of such legislation and no
man ought now to attempt to predict
what the outcome may be, SO far as
the coming session is concerned. The
most ! dare say is that my hope is
strong"
Representative Mercer OF Nebraska,
who Is chairman of the House commit.
tee or public buildings and grounds,
agrees with General Henderson us TO
the desirability Of bankruptcy lcgisla-
ton. lie said: 1--WE have thousands
of men in Nebraska VINO were laid Hat
by the hard times of the last three
or our years who will never be able
TO regain their feet, financially speak
ing. until such n law Is passed"
Chairman Cannon OF tho House APP
preparation committee, in reply TO a
question as to whether the people in
his part Of the country were in favor
Of bankruptcy legislation at the COM
ing session said: mo, not in tho coun-
try districts. There is considerable
feeling in favor of il in Chicago and
also considerable opposition to it ]
understand. 1t might perhaps be a
good thing to have u voluntary bank
ruptcy law, to expire by limitation
six months after its enactment"
what do you think OF the prospect
Of currency legislation"
"Oh, what's the use Of talking about
that in the face Of the condition of
affairs in the Senate? Why, II the
House should pass a currency bill the
Senate would probably strike out
everything after the enacting clause
and send us n free coinage bill.
What's the matter with the currency,
anyhow, IL we can collect revenue
enough to pay the current expenses OF
the government md have a little left?
So far as the retirement Of the green
backs is concerned, ! do not believe
that u bill containing that provision
could pass the House OF Representa-
tivcs- Then, why not let we'll enough
alone? We've got to fight the free sill
YER battle over again in 1900, and We
would better prepare for It."