The times., 1898-06-29
aIllILITAaY BILLS PASSED
Dir. Hull Finally Succeeds in
Calling Up War Measures.
BAILEY OPPOSES THE RULE
After a Long Debate on the Bank
ruptcy Bill n Rule Is Adopted Civ
ing tl,e NiIitary Committee Two
Days and n Number of Important
War Bills Are Passed.

War Bills Are Passed.
There were so many vacant seats in the
House yesterday that 1t was not supposed
a quorum could be mustered. but when
the occasion arose during the afternoon a
quorum was obtained with very little de-
lay
There were just sixty-six members
present when the House was called to or
der.
Mr.. Henderson of Iowa submitted the
conference report on the bankruptcy bill.
The report was signed by all the confer
ees except Mir. Terry of Arkansas.
A statement setting forth the changes
made from the original bill was read.
1t was long, tiresome and technical, and
not single member paid any attention
to the reading The conference report
was agreed to in the Senate last Fri
day.
AT the request of Mr.. Henderson it was
agreed that the debate should be limited
TO forty-fiye minutes on each side. he to
control the time in support of the report
and Mr.. Terry 10 control it for the p2o-
sitin.
Gen. Henderson explained the long and
tedious labors of the conferees. He said
that Mr. Terry was opposed TO bank
ruptcy legislation in any shape. but he
had worked harmoniously with the other
conferees. He stated that the bin be-
comes operative within thirty days for
voluntary bankrupts and four months for
Involuntary bankrupts.
Mr. Terry said he had become satisfied
some time ago that this Congress would
pass a bankrupt law. and his labors as
a conferee had been devoted to relieving
the measure OF as many oppressive feat
ures as possible He did not believe in
legislation of the kind
Mr. De Almond of Missouri said the
bill was framed and passed in the in
terest of those who wish TO collect debts
rather than of those who are overbnr
dened with debt and are seeking some
avenue of escape from obligations they
cannot meet He said the bill made the
debtor an object of suspicion from star,
20 finish. 1t was rigid and unfortunate
was made perpetual. instead Of being lin
! tied TO the period OF business depression.
! 1t ought not to run more than one or
two years. The bill transferred jurisdic-
ton from State TO Federal courts. and in
that was wrong and oppressive; it trans
ferred permanent jurisdiction that
ought never TO reside in the Federal
Courts. The enforcement Of the law
would require the establishment of addi-
tional Federal courts and the appoint
ment by the President of additional Fed
eraI judges. The creditors preferred to
go into United States courts. where they
would have more power and influence.
rather than meet their debtors face to
face in the STATE courts, where the latter
would be more likely TO get Justice The
victims of the ruthless creditors would
be more numerous in the Federal than
in the State courts. Mr.. De Almond pre-
dicted that the expressions of the law
would create corruption and that expe-
rience would condemn the legislation II
would make bankruDts of persons who
need not become bankrupts.
Mr.. Underwood of Alabama said he had
opposed this legislation because he was
against involuntary bankruptcy He
would have none save voluntary bank
ruptcy. but the pending bill approached
very nearly 10 his ideas and he would
] vote for it as affording some relief to
! his constituents.
/ Mr.. McRae of Arkansas declared his
/ opposition to all bankruptcy legislation.
and he indorsed what Mr. De Almond
| had said
Mr.. McRae declared that the invoIun-
| tary provisions of the bill were not to go
into effect for four months. The Repub-
/ iicans had postponed the date to escape
the condemnation of the people at the
polls next November. While claiming
that the people were clamoring for the
act. the Republicans dreade1 the verdict
4 Of the people on the bill and therefore
postponed its enforcement until after the
election. rs} Giti
Mr.. Burke of Texas supported the bill
as one in the interest of the great mass
of the people. He knew that his people
would derive great benefit from the law
Mr.. Ray Of New York, one of the con-
ferees, closed the debate. He defended
the bill against the criticisms of its op-
ponents. He said that the law provided
that every person accused of crime in
connection with bankruptcy proceedings
should have the right of trial by jury
He said the demand for bankruptcy legis-
lation came from the far West and the
South. In further explanation he said
in reply to questions that under the law
jury trial could be had wherever
question of fact was raised
Mr.. Henderson said that while there
we're imperfections in the bill, they were
not numerous and could and would be
corrected by amendments.
The conference report was agreed to
by q vote of 81 to p.
Mr.. Terry demanded the yeas and nays.
The force of the sergeant-at-arms was
sent through the Capitol building in
search of absentees and a quorum dsvel-
oped on the first roll call. The conference
report was agreed to by 132 yeas to 80
nays, a members answering present
The omnibus claims bill was sent to
conference.
Mr.. Henderson reported from the Com
mittee on Rules a special resolution for
the consideration of bills from the Mill
tary Committee. II provided that the
committee should have two days.
Mr.. Bailey suggested that there was no
necessity for a rule, thus putting the
House in the attitude of resisting the pas
sage Of those bills. He said some mem
bers objected to several of the bills and
objections had come from both sides of
the House and he thought an arrange
ment could be made by unanimous con-
sent.
Mr.. Hull replied that he had made re-
peated attempts to get up those bills; that
they We're very important and the War
Department urgently needed the legis-
lation. The resolution was adopted
Mr.. Bailey remarked that there was
very decided opposition to the bill to re-
vive the grade of lieutenant general
The Senate bill TO increase the eff