The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-02-21
IN THE HOUSE.
How the Bankruptcy Bill Was Given a
Passage.


DAYS of consideration, the House today
passed the bankruptcy bill reported by
the House committee on judiciary as a
substitute for the Wilson bill passed by
the Senate at the extra session last sum-
mer- The bill is known as the Henderson
bill and contains both voluntary and
involuntary features. It is considered less
drastic than the measure passed by the
vote of 157 to 81. The involuntary feat
ures. however, had but 16 majority. To-
day motion to strike out the involuntary
features was defeated by majority of 10
and the bill was passed by majority of
90. The vote standing: Ayes, 15s; nays,
1875, Eighteen Republicans voted against
the bill and 10 Democrats for 1t. The
Populists with one exception, voted
against it.
A motion to strike out the Involuntary
features of the bill was defeated, i39-15s
and u motion to recommit with instruc-
ton to strike out the involuntary features
met q similar fate by vote OF l30-l57.
| Today TIE bill was considered under the
five minute rule for amendment but the
reading of the bill which contains eighty
pages, only advanced through the first
section and only one unimportant amend
ment was adopted. 1t was only by a
slight inadyertenoy on the part OF the
champions of an amendment to limit the
operatiton of the measure to two years
that this amendment was lost.
During the consideration of the motion
to strike out the clause defining the terms
used in the BILL one of which defined an
sinsoIvent'" as one whose property at a
fair valuation was not sufficient to pay his
debts, Mr.. Bland, Democrat of Missouri
stated that the effect of this provision Of
the bill would be to declare over one hall
of the business men of the country bank
rupts
Mr.. Lacey, Republican of Iowa, said
he was exceedingly sorry to differ with
his colleague, Mr.. Henderson, the author
| of the bill but his convictions were based
on much observation and he could not
give his support to the involuntary feat
ures of any bankruptcy law. Democrat
| ic applause.)
"The only thing that shakes my faith
| in nv own conviction" said Mr.. Lacey,
commenting on the demonstration from
! tho opposition benches, lis the applause
ON the Democratic side, for after every
| Democratic administration there always
comes demand for such relief" Oaugh-
ter
| Mr.. Mahanay, Republican of New York,
then moved an amendment limiting the
operation of the act to two years from
the date of the passage.
Mr.. Mahanay said he would be glad te
vote for the bill if this amendment were
adopted. The. vote was taken by teller'
and the announcement that it had car
ried. 1929 was greeted with loud ap
plause.
Mr. Henderson moved to reconsider thu
vote and Mr.. Bailey moved to lay that
motion on the table. The motion to table
Mr.. Henderson's motion to reconsider
was lost, 146-156. When this vote was an
nounced, the hour set for voted O'Clock
had passed. The motion to reconsider was
put and carried without division and thu
| vote was about to be taken again uDoI
the Mahany amendment when MIR. DalZe
made the point of order that the orde
untier which the House was operated
precluded any further action except upor
fine Underwood amendments which unde
the arrangement were to be voted on at
O'Clock,
This uoint of order the Speaker sus
tanned. An interesting parliamentar.
struggle followed in which Mr.. Bailey
Mr. Williams, and the Speaker took part
which finally resulted in the Speaker
deciding that the House had reconsideret
its action in regard to the Mahana,
amendment and that vote on 1t was ex
Guided by the order. The underwood
amendment which struck out the invol
untary features were then voted upol
under the order of the House. The amend
ments were defeated 139-158.