The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-03-02
A SNAP JUDGMENT.

A SNAP JUDGMENT.
Senator Nelson is credited with inten-
ton to introduce a new bankruptcy bill
in the senate because he is dissatisfied with
the radical alterations made in his former
bill in the house. Senator Nelson should
wait until a conference committee OF both
houses have shaped the measure; tEcn, if
It is not sa. 'sfactory, it will be tims enough
for him to interpost his objections. He
snCuld remember, however that the vast
majority of his constituents are more in
terested in having a bill Of some kind
passed a. this session than they are In the
details Of such bill Any measure that pro-
tects honest debtors and is just to fair and
honorable creditors will meet with favor,
even if it is not perfect in detail. Senator
Nelson gained much credit for getting his
bankruptcy bill through the senate 1T the
last session. The bill was regarded AS
somewhat crude but it was Il bankruptcy
bill. and the masses Of the people were
pleased at the prospect of getting it on the
statute books. If our junior senator now
fights and defeats the passage Of the bill
as amended, he will be regarded in tho
same light as the COW that gave a brim-
ming pailful Of milk and then kicked it
over. The amendments, as we understand,
are mainly in the direction of adding
stronger involuntary features to the origi-
nal Nelson bill. Any measure that passes
must be the result Of compromise be-
tween the extreme advocates voluntary
and involuntary bankruptcy. The people
have looked to this congress to pass such a
compromise measure If it fails to do So,
1t is to be feared that the opposition will
be greatly strengthened in the coming con-
gressional election Should the silver Demo-
Gratis and Populists get into power they
would not hesitate long in passing q
bankruptcy bill in which the rights of the
creditor would be almost utterly ignored
and the advantage Of the debtor alone con-
sidered. Both policy and prudence require
that the Republicans should act upon bank
ruptcy legislation, and act at Cnce.-Min-
neapolis Tribune.
The foregoing from the Tribune pre-
sents several matters of interest to all
Populists. 1t emphasizes the fact that
the Republican party with it's great dali
les is the champion of the creditor class
es. 1t here openly urges Republicans
while yet In power to enter up snap
Judgment in favor of the money lenders
and aginst the producers and industrial
classes of the nation.
1t earnestly urges that this congress
put upon the statute books bankruptcy
law with strong involuntary features,
framed in the interest Of creditors, an
engine Of oppression by which the last
drop Of life blood may be squeezed from
the struggling debtor. Without a blush
or apology it assigns us it's reasons-that
the people demand a bankruptcy law
and that creditors bankruptcy measure
barrier against the enactment of the
much dreaded Populist measure. The
Tribune goes further and admits that
the action of the Populists would be
prompt and in the interests of the under
dog If the object and intent of bank
ruptcy legislation is not to relieve the
oppressed, enslaved and struggling debt
or, then, as the Tribune suggests, it has
come to be an instrument of oppression
in the hands of the rich, a species of re-
fined torture, prolonging the struggles
and obligations Of the debtor so long as
his hopes, his energies, his strength and
his courage will sustain him in the ter
rife battle against debt. The creditor
East wants bankruptcy measure, which
shall be framed as the Tribune expresses
it with strong involuntary
features provisions whereby any
creditor may force his debtor
into bankruptcy at any time
when the creditor sees an opportunity TO
rob the debtor of the largest amount
The debtor West wants bill whereby
debtors who have spent the greater part
of their lives toiling to pay usury may,
by surrendering their all, free them
selves from the shackles so CALLING to de-
Ginning years and near the end of USE
full life of industry and honest effort be
again permitted to catch glimpses of the
star of hope, to feel that once again they
are free, that the relentless grasp of the
hand of greed shall be stayed from doing
them further harm, and that, at least,
some of the hopes and aspirations of
youth may in old age be realized. But
the Tribune would have a snap judg-
ment entered up against mans last op-
portunity.
What a volume of cunning in the final
sentence Of the Tribune that both
policy and prudence require that the Re-
publicans should act upon bankruptcy
legislation, and act at once" E. A. T.