Mr. ROGERS. It is a well known fact that prior to the situation of the countryin which it has existed for the last 5 years the party which I represent persistently opposed the passage of alfbankrupt laws. I have, heretofore, been opposed myself to a system of this character, and if the situation of the country had remained as it was before the war and before ourfinancial difficulties, I perhaps would have remained in the same state of mind: but I feel the responsibility rests upon me higher and above all party considerations, and that the in; terests of this whole country are at stake in having some system adopted throuvhout the length and breadth of thishroad land that will relieve those who have been so unfortunate as to have failed in business by reason of the war over which they had no control. I know the results of this war have caused many honest and patriotic business men throughout this country to lose their property. In the great State of NewYork, as well as in other States of the Union, the very best business men have been for the last 3 or 4 years lost to the best business interests of society merely because they have been subjected to failure on account of consequences to the country which they could not prevent. I have taken some pains to examine this bill with a view to get it in such a shape thatI could conse ientiously vote for it, and 1 am now free to say that no bankrupt bill has ever been drawn in this country which is so equal in its terms to all sections and all parts of the country as this bill and because, within the language and meaning of the Constitution, it extends to the people of the southern States as well as to the people of the North, I feel that I would not e oing my solemn duty to the interests of the whole country did I not, notwithstanding the position which, in times gone by, has been as sumed by the Democratic party, cast my vote in favor of this great measure which I believe will do much to bring back that business on terprise, prosperity, and happiness which this country enjoyed before these financial dilficultiescame it on us. I knowt at there are 1,000s of men in the southern and northern States who had no control of the state of affairs that has existed during the last 5 years, who have been compelled5 to go into insolvency. To these men, whose hearts beat with patriotic emotion in the North, as well as to the people of the southern States, I want to extendp the protection which the Constitution designed should be extended to them whenever the circumstances should arise which required the passage of a law like this. Therefore I shall unhesitatingly and with pleasure cast my vote for this bill, whatever views may be entertained by those who hold the same political opinion as I do, upon the ground that it is my duty as a Representative of the people, without distinction of party or of vocation, when a great measure like this comes up, which I believe is to advance the interest of the whole Union from one end to the other, to throw away my party prejudices and cast my vote for the advancement of that which I believe to be the best interest of society and particularly of the business classes of this country. The question recurred on ordering the bill to be engrossed and read a 3rd time.