The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1898-03-10
Especial Correspondence to News and
Observer

Especial Correspondence to News and
Observer
The Democrats of the Fifth Con-
gressional District ought to feel
proud of their son, w. w. kitchin.
He is made Of the right kind Of stuff,
and when it comes to debating impor
tant questions he can hold his own
with the best material in the House,
He showed up splendidlv in the de-
bate Of the Bankruptcy bill. His re-
marks are 80 clever and to the point
that | give them verbatim.
Mr.. kitchin said:
Mr.. Speaker:-The diverse opin-
ions in this House and throughout
the country as to the right and pol
icy of bankruptcy legislation, also
he various opinions among those
who favor bankruptcy legislation, as
to what are proper provisions Of such
Legislation, compel me to wish that
had greater time to discuss this bill.
In my opinion, he amendment rcpor-
ted by the judiciary Committee as a
substitute should be defeated, and
this should be allowed to vote directly
upon the Nelson bill as it passed the
Senate last spring
Now why should the judiciary
Committee amend this Nelson bill by
striking out all after the enacting
clause and inserting this amendment?
The main reason that occurs to me
is that the Nelson bill was intended
especially for the benefit of debtor.
while this amendment is intended es-
pcciaIlv for the creditor. Under the
Nelson bill the creditor could blast
the hopes and destroy the fortunes Of
his debtor in only one case, and that
was where the debtor had conveyed
his property with the actual intent
and purpose on his part to prefer or
| defend any of his creditors.' But
under this amendment there are eight
clas>scs of acts of bankruptcy under
either OF which the creditor can pur-
sue the debtor the bankrupt court
This amendment, If it passes, and
becomes IA law. will be used by cred
itors a. method Of collection. In
my opinion bankruptcy Legislation
| should have but one general pur-
pose and that purpose the relief OF
deserving and unfortunate debtors
| from their load of debt, to enable
them to 90 forth in business with
| confidence and freedom: it should
never be intended as a method for
| collection of debts. The different
! States provide or should provide suf-
| ficicnt laws for collection of debts.
And think all bankruptcy legisla-
tion should be limited in its dura-
| tion 50 as not to continue as stand
ing temptation for fraud. 1t should
never be expensive in its operation,
or cruel and oppressive,
| Mr.. Speaker, the Federal court is
| ALWAYS a terror to the accused; and
SO will any court be whose Judges
hold office for life and who can and
will express opinions upon the facts
to the jury, and it will he Il fearful
thing for the debtor to fall into the
hands of the Federal judiciary under
this measure.
III the majority Of this House
really desire bankruptcy legislation,
why do they not advocate the Nelson
bill. which has already passed the
senate? Why should you bring an
amendment which, if passed, will
probably be defeated in the Senate,
thus leaving the country without any
Legislation on this subject?
Il suppose. Mr.. Speaker. if there
ever was 4 time when bankruptcy
Legislation was needed. How is the
| tipn I-ri.r I h.. foil ,f ,ri,.r ,ouca.}
by the enhancing value of gold, ever
rising urucr the favortiSm of law,
Intelligent. Industrious and frugal
men have in times of plenty gone
from good To bad circumstances: and
as farm products have fallen in price
hard times have. over a land greatly
blessed by nature. spread debt, mis-
cry and despair like a pail.
The Dinglev bill has not brought
relief to this country. though it ma,
be considered by Republicans as 3
panacca. Wages in the New Eng
land mills have been reduced: opera
tive> are out of work; and cotton
the great American export crop, i:
worth $40 per bale less to-day than
it was when President Mckinley ap
proved the Dinglev bill. And thi:
bill. which was intended as meas
urc of revenue As we'll as protection.
i> about to bankrupt the Treasury o
the United States, Notwithstanding
the vast amounts Of money received
from the sale OF the Union Paci!i,
Railroad. The results of this DingleN
bill will stamp it As a failure: it viii
he so recognized by the people. 1t i:
one of the great burdens that the Re
publican party will have to carry il
) the ensuing campaign. The vote il
this House on the Teller resolution
speaks evil for he Republican party
And. Mr.. Speaker. that sad an'
disastrous calamity in Havana har
bor would not have happened--th
) Maine would not have been in tina
! harbor in my opinion if the majorit,
on the floor Of this House had al
I lowed the Cuban resolution To be con
! >idered properly. as fidelity to tn
spirit OF their platform demanded an
a> the American people expected.
I'm my opinion the violate
, pledges of the Republican party
the overdue debts of that party to tn
American people and humanity ar
sufficient under any Just principle:
when You consider their platforr
promises made in order to obtal
power. to throw the Republican part
into inevitable. Involuntary and pei
y. petual bankruptcy. And in tn
d minds of the people petition for tbs
n purpose is already on file. Tn
1t American jury will find the facts; an
N the coming elections will declare tn
$ Democratic party the trustee of a
those great powers and responsibilite
that are enjoyed but improperly use