SALES BY INFANTS.
On motion by Mr. FOSTER, the bill [H. R. 124] relating to sales by infants of real and personal property, providing for disaffirming such sales and recovery of the property, was read the third time.
Mr. BELL--It provides that an infant femme covert can not, after making a conveyance, set it aside without repaying the consideration, and in other cases where an infant falsely represents to be of lawful age, the same requirements follow.
Mr. MENZIES objected to the bill, especially to the second section, which proposes to strike down the shield for infants.
Mr. BELL insisted this bill was in the interest of common honesty, and intended to strike the sword from the hand of infants and not to touch the shield.
Mr. BROWN said: This bill, if passed into a law, would affect past as well as future transaction. Upon principle it is unwise to overturn a law upon the subject of contracts without a saving clause that it shall apply to the future only. This bill leaves a port open by which the greatest kind of frauds could be perpetrated. He gave reasons why the bill should not pass.
Mr. FOSTER advocated the passage of the bill.
Mr. HENRY declared this bill to be in the interest of grossest dishonesty.
Mr. CHAPMAN thought the bill ought to be recommitted. The second section states what the law should be, in his judgment.
On motion by Mr. BUNDY, the bill was referred to a Select Committee of three.
