AFTERNOON SESSION.
ATTORNEYS' FEES ON NOTES.
A Committe reported back Mr. Gilman's bill [H. R. 19] declaring agreement to pay costs of collection or attorneys' fees contained in any bill of exchange, acceptances, drafts, promissory notes or other written evidence of indebtedness, illegal and void and making it the duty of the owner when suit is brought for collection to render judgment accordingly, with recommendation that the same be indefinitely postponed.
Mr. GILMAN said: My objection to the report of the Committee to postpone indefinitely is that the interest of the people, both creditor and debtor, and the attorneys themselves demand reform in the attorneys' fee law as at present administered.
Mr. WILEY said: The principle of the bill under consideration is, in my naiad, manifestly unjust, and should not become a law.
Mr. JEWETT said: If the gentlemen will move to recommit this bill to our Committee, with instructions to amend the bill so as to make all agreements to pay more than 5 per cent illegal, and that no amount shall be allowed unless the amount has been actually paid to the attorney, I will vote for his motion, and gladly assist in obtaining the proper action in Committee.
The report was not concurred in.
page: 65[View Page 65]On motion of Mr. GILMAN", the bill was recommitted to the Committee on Judiciary, with instructions.
NEW PROPOSITIONS.
The following bills were introduced, read the first lime, and refered to appropriate Committees, unless otherwise stated:
By Mr. HANSON [H. R. 166] to amend Section 51 of an act concerning public offenses and their punishment.
By Mr. MAUCK [H. R. 167] an act to amend Section 1,942 of an act concerning public offenses, being Section 2,101 Revised Statutes. The bill was passed to the second reading.
By Mr. HAMILTON [H. R. 168] a bill establishing County Courts, denning their power, prescribing compensation of Judges, etc. The bill was passed to the second reading.
By Mr. ROBINSON, of Jackson. [H. R. 169] to amend Section 28 of an act providing for a general system of Common Schools. The bill was passed to a second reading.
By Mr. GILLMAN [H. R. 170] an act providing for the sale of escheated estates and the disposal of the proceeds, etc. The bill passed to a second reading.
By Mr. FRAZER [H. R. 171] a bill to amend Sections 3, 4, 10, 12, being Sections 4,275, 4,276, 4,288, 4,283 of the Revised Statutes of 1881. The bill passed to a second reading.
By Mr. WILSON,of Kosciusko, [H. R. 172] an act to provide that all notes obtained by fraud or under false pretense should not be collectible.
Mr. COPELAND offered a resolution that a Special Committee be appointed to ascertain and report to this House the number of disabled Union soldiers, if any, who have been given appointments at the hands of the officers of this House.
On motion by Mr. HAM the resolution was laid on the table-yeas, 56; nays, 38.
The House adjourned till 10 a m.
