A BANKRUPT LAW.
The SPEAKER announced the order of business to be the consideration of the joint resolution [S. 4] pending at the adjournment yesterday afternoon, for instruction to Indiana Senators and a request of Representatives in Congress from Indiana, to oppose the passage of a bankrupt law.
Mr. ROBINSON said: I am in favor of a well adjusted bankrupt law. It has been conceded by members opposed to this resolution that a good bankrupt law would be beneficial. I am therefore in favor of the law now pending before Congress.
Mr. BEST: I shall vote against this resolution, not because I am in favor of this law or against it, but because the people of Steuben County have as much confidence in our Representatives in Congress as they have in this body, and are willing to trust them to act without instructions.
Mr. ANTRIM said: I think it is our duty to express our views on this matter. I am decidedly opposed to a bankrupt law and shall favor the resolution.
Mr. CABBAGE was satisfied that the bankrupt system had been a failure, and for that reason was in favor of the resolution.
Mr. PATTEN demanded the previous question but the House refused to second the demand.
Mr COPELAND: I am opposed to this resolution for various reasons. I do not believe this House was sent here to instruct our Congressmen, and do not believe we ought to Instruct our Representatives in Congress to vote on the pending question-I for one am not in favor of sending Representatives to Congress who have not back bone enough to vote for what they think to be for the best interests of the country.
Mr. SMITH, in opposing the resolution/said the greatest commercial nation in the world has a bankrupt law. I hardly think that any class of men are competent to give instructions on this matter who have not given the question careful attention, therefore I shall vote "no" on the reso-
Mr. SHIVELY: I shall vote "no," believing that our Senators and Representatives from this State, who are on the ground and examining this law, can vote more wisely on this question than we can.
Mr. WILEY said: I am opposed to this resolution. I am in favor of a wise and just bankrupt law. I have examined into the merits of the law before Congress at the present day. I feel satisfied that if the members of this House would examine it for themselves the bankrupt law now before Congress, it would materially chang the sense of this House concerning this law. I am in favor of a wise bankrupt law, and I shall vote "no" on this resolution.
The joint resolution was adopted by yeas, 56; nays, 30.
Mr. JEWETT, from the Committee on Ways and Means, reported back Mr. Wilson's, of Marion, bill [H. R.] concerning taxation, with the recommendation that it do pass.
The report was concurred in.
