The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-21
TWO REFEREES APPOINTED.
NEW OFFICES CREATED UNDER
THE BANKRUPTCY LAW.

Judge 4. II. MacDOneII Has JurisdIc-
ton in Nine Counties and Col. j..
ID. Harreu in EIeven-The Appoint
ments Are for Two Years-Other
Referees May BE Appointed for the
Southern District-The Duties OF
Referees Under the New Bank
ruptcy Law.
Judge A. II. MacDonell has been ap-
pointed by Judge Emory Speer, as referee
under the recent bankruptcy act passed by
Congress An order making this appoint
neut was filed in the office of the clerk
Of the United States Court yesterday.
4 similar order was filed appointing Col
j. d. Harreu Of cambridge. Decatur coun-
~, 10 similar position, though the ter
ritories Of the two referees viii, of course,
be different
Judge MacDOnell viii have under his jul
risdicuon the counties Of Chatham. Bryan
Liberty Tattnall. Montgomery Emanuel
Buioch, Screven and Dillingham; The bail
iwick Of Col HarreH viii comprise the
counties Of Decatur, Thomas. Brooks. Col
quit Worth, Irwin, Coffee, Berrlen,
1t viii be seen that these two appoint
ments do not take In all the counties In
The Southern district of Georgia by good
deal, and there is room for the appoint
ment Of at least one and perhaps two more
referees. The law does not limit the num-
Der OF referees to be appointed but SAYS
simply that the number shall be sufficient
1 he h4t-
erees in bankruptcy are appointed for two
Years, and hold their positions at the
pleasure Of the appointing judge. They are
required TO take the same oath upon en-
tering Office as judges of United States
courts.
The office of referee is both lucrative
ana influential, and there VIII
De, doubtless, great many
ctlzens ready to offer their
services to their country to act in this
regard The number to be appointed is
not stated in the law, but as many viii
be appointed as are necessary 10 expedi-
uously dispatch the dulles of the office.
No one holding office with any emolu-
mSnt, whether in state or nation, can be
appointed referee, except notaries, justices
OF the peace or commissioners of deeds
NO one related within the third degree to
any NiICull court Judge, Appellate Court
or Bankruptcy Court judge can be an
pointed, and the appoiutees must reside
or nave their Offices within the territorial
districts for which they are appointed.
The compensation to the referee will be
$40 on each petition filed before them ex-
cept IN case the debtor has no assets, and
1 per cent of all dividends paid or one
half of l per cent. on the amount TO be
paid 90 creditors on the confirmation Of
composition.
The duties of a referee are to declare
dividends, deliver schedules to the trustees
who are to be appointed. furnish Informal
tiOu of all eases before them TO parties at
interest, prepare schedules of assets and
liabilities, and to keep and properly file all
the papers which are usually filed in cases
of bankruptcy.
II has been expected for some time that
Judge Spoer would make these appoint
ments at once and 1t is probable that
within day or two the appointment of
any additional commissioners of The dis
trict will be made
The referees have considerable work 10
do in that they viii have to deal with every
bankruptcy case that comes into the
court within the limits of their jurisdiction
In some ms tances they have TO act in the
place Of the district judge. where he is not
present, and in this and many other ways
the office is considered a most important
one.
Trustees are appointed in each case and
there shall be either one or three. II is left
win the creditors to appoint the trustees
and in case they do not do so the appoint
ments are made by the court.