Year: 1873

| have become impressed with the be-
lief that the act, approved March -, 1867
entitled An act to establish uniform
system Of bankruptcy throughout the
United States, is productive OF mere evil
than good at this time Many consider


atoms might be urged for its total repeal
but if this is not considered advisable !
think it will not be seriously questioned
that those portions of said act providing
for what is called involuntary bankrupt
cy operate to increase the fiRancll embsr


rassment Of the country Careful and
prudent men very often become invovled
in debt in the transaction OF business,
and though they may possess ample prop
er,y, if it could be made available for
that purpose, to meet all their Liabilities,
but, on account of the extraordinary
scarcity Of money, they may be unable
to meet all obligations as they become
due In consequence Of which they arc
liable to be prostrated in business by
proceedings in bankruptcy, at the in


stance of unresnting creditors. People
are now SO easily alarmed as to money
matters that the mere filing OF petition
in bankruptcy by an unfriendly creditor
will embarrass and oftentimes accomplish
the financial ruin OF responsible bust
ness man. Those who otherwise might
make lawful and instant arrangements to
relieve themselves from difficulties bret
on by the present strlgency in money are
prevented by this constant exposure, to
attack and disappointment by proceeding
against them in bankruptcy. And beside
the law Is made use Of in many cases by
obdurate creditors to lrishten or force
debtors into compliance with their wish


es and into acts Of injustice to other cred.
tors aud to themselves | recommend
that so much of the act as provides for
involuntary bankruptcy on account OF
suspension of payments be repealed


CLAIMS AGAINST TUE GOVERNMENT


Your careful attention is invited to the
subject ofelaims against the government
and the facilities offered by existing laws
for their prosecution in each OF the de-
partmen;s. The departments OF State,
Treasury and War have demands for
many millions of dollars upon their files,
and they are rapidly accumulatlng. To
these may be added those now pending
before Congress, the Commissioner OF
claims and the Southern claims commits
sion, making in the aggregate an immense
sum. Most OF these grew out OF the re-
bellion, and are intended to Indemnify
persons on both sides for their losses
during the war, and not n few ofthem are
fabricated and supported by false tes'i'
meny. Projects arc on foot, it is be.
lieyed. TO induce Congress to provide Tor
new classes of claims and to secure old
one. through tho repeal or II cd fieation
Of the statute limitations by which they
are now barred. lpresumc these schemes
il proposed will be received with little IA
vor by Congress, and | recommend that
persons having claims against the United
States. recognizable by any tribunal or
department thereof, be required to pro
sent them at an early day, and that lsais-
la,ion be directed, as far as practicable,
To the defeat Of unfounded and unjust de


nsnds on the government And l would
suggest, as a means OF preventing fraud,
that witnesses be called on to appear in
person to testify before those tribunals
having said claims before them for adju-
dication. Probably the largest saving
10 the national treasury can be secured