The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-02-20
BANKRUPTCY BILL PASSES
INVOLUNTARY FEATURES ARE RE-
tanned IN THE MEASURE.
Twelve Democrats and One Popu-
list Favor Ii, While Eighteen
Republicans Are Against IL.

WASHINGTON. Feb. i9.-After four
days Of consideration. the house today
passed the bankruptcy bill reported by the
house committee on judiciary as j substi
tnte for the Nelson bill passed by the SEN
ate az The extra session last summer. The
bill - known as the Henderson bill. and
contains both voluntary and Involuntary
features IL IS considered less drastic than
the measure passed by the last house by
a vote OF l57 TO =. The involuntary fea-
ture. however has but Is majority. Today
a motion 10 strike out the involuntary fea-
lures vas defeated by a majority Of "a.
The vo<e stan0ing. Ayes, l5s. nays, Ia.
Eighteen Republicans voted against the
bill and twelve Democrats for it. The
Populists. with one exception, voted
against IL
tss4ay the bill was read for amendment
under the five-mnute rule. Under the or
der made. the final vote was to be taken
at clock this afternoon. Bailey sought
TO secure an arrangement by which the
house could have an opportunity 10 vote
or the senate Tor Nelson bid before
voting on the house substitute. but he
failed. An arrangement was effected.
however, by which the first vote taken ar
4 o'clock should be on Underwood's series
OF amendments 10 strike out the inyolun-
taTy features Of the substitute.
During the consideration Of a motion to
strike out the section defining the terms
used in the bill, one of which defined an
''insolvent" as one whose property at a
fair valuation was not sufficient TO pay
his debts Bland stated that the effect OF
this provision would be to declare over
one-half Of the business men OF the coun-
try bankrupts.
Lacey Republican, of Iowa, said he
could not give his support 10 the involuG-
tafy features of any bankruptcy law,
Democratic applause.)
Bailey of Texas secured the floor upon
another amendment, and submitted brief
~ some observations defining his position.
He was as anxious he said as any men,
Der Of the house 10 see an equitable bank
refntes law laced upon the statute books.
But his anxiety would not lead him TO
vote for q measure which would iniure
the solvent more than Ii would benefit the
insolvent.
Cannon. Republican. of Illinois. created
some enthusiasm on the Democratic side
by announcing that he would refuse 10
support the bill
Mahany Republican. of New York Of
fered an amendment limiting the operation
OF the act to two years from the date
OF its pa4ssa ge He said he would be glad
10 vote for the bill. II this amendment
were adopted hut he was opposed TO put
ting In operation indefinitely a law OF
this character.
The vote on the motion was taken by
tellerJ and the announcement that il had
carried was greeted with loud applause.
Henderson Immediately moved TO recon-
slider the vote and Bailey moved TO lay
that motion on the table.
The motion 10 lay on the table Hender
sons motion 10 reconsider was lost by li6
TO l56
When this vote was announced the hour
set for vota a o'clociO had passed The
motion to reconsider was put and carried
without division. and the vote was about
20 be taken again on the Mahany amend
ment. when Dalzell made the point Of or
der that the order under which the house