Mr. MCDOUGALL.. Mr. President, the question now before the Senate is a pure question of law as to the power of legislation in the Government; a question whether this is a general law, or whether it is one of those things that are exceptional. I always dislike to disagree with the chairman of the ComJudiciary, for whom I have great respect; but I understand that as a general law, passed for the benefit of all citizens, it comes within the general purview of the powers of Congress. I make a single exPression for the purpose of communicating my idea as to that single point. Then more, I desire to say, and I am only about repeating what I have said some years since, there is no civilized Government in Europe that has not such a law. The provision in relation to the power to pass such a law was placed in the Constitution of the U.S. by persons who understood that it was necessary to carry on commerce and the relations of merchants in that way. It was attempted in 1813, and by ignorant legislation it had to be repealed. It was again repeated in 1841, and then by carelessness and inconsiderate action it ho to be repealed shortly afterward. Those 2 facts having been a part of our fo history, most politicians were afraid to vote for a bankrupt bill, not understanding, I think, that to give the creditor his right and the debtor his right and to settle controversies was an obligation to impose upon the people and that the Government should impose. In the war of 1812 the country was bankrupted, and some of the ablest and best men were placed within prison bounds, and they had great difficulty to get means enough to support their families. Some of the most able men were prevented from engaging in large enterprises to develop the resources of the country. It has thus continued from that time until this time, although it was worse then than it is now. This law has been called for by all legislation of high, intelligent States. It was provided for in the Constitution of 1787. It has been promised by every party in the country. It is pledged by the Republican party, pledged by the Dem ocratic party, as a thing due to the people, and I have long sought to see the thing done, having been in office and taken some interest in these things for more than a decade. I trust that the conduct of this matter may be left to the gentleman who reports the measure from the committee, and I think we can all trusthisjudgment.