Mr. CONKLING. Mr. Speaker, the object of the amendment pending is to improve one of the sections of this bill. If I could get some of the lawers around me to attend to it I would like to in em them what the section is. It provides in every case of voluntary bankruptcy an assignee shall be appointed to administer the bankrupts estate; and it provides also that in every one of these cases a deputy marshal shall intervene for a mere preliminary purpose. My point is, that the interposition of a marshal is quite unnecessary, that it necessitates an expense which is useless, and the creation of a large number of officers entirely useless. I say, in answer to a suggestion made by the Gentfrom Massachusetts, [Mr. ALLEY] that my argument is not at all in favor of official assi uses, but my point is, that the as signee which, under the section as it stands, is to be appointed in every case should, from the outset be present and take charge of the estate, thus dispensing with the necessity for a deputy marshal. Now, there is but one objection to this which anyone has struck and that is, that the creditors will not be able, in the 1st instance, to select the assigee; that the trustees will not be nominategnhy the cesluy trust. In my judgment, that is no objection whatever to the matter. Under the section as it stands, a friendly and managing creditor will be quite apt to manage and control the proceeings in 9 cases out of ten. So, if the section as amended gives to the court the power to appoint an assignee at once, and then to change it upon cause shown, 2 objects will be accomplished: 1st, the marshal and this a cloud of deuties will be dispersed; and 2nd, the cre itors will be assured of an assiguee proper, active and acceptable to them, because, if the court makes a mistake, a change will be made on their suggestion. Now, to my mind it is entirely clear that the whole purpose may be accomplished by allowing the assignee to be BPJKDIDLML to begin with, to act as messenger an as assignee, and the glaring objection to this section at the same time can be avoided. I make this suggestion in friendship to this bill, for I would like to vote fora good bankrupt lawnot an insolvent law, not aIaw which Will sponge out debts and last till that is done and then be repealed; but a law which will take its place as part of the permanent commercial system of the country. If we can have that, I shall be very glad for one to give it in vote and I suggest, with great respect to the committee, that they may make a mistake in adhering too strongly to all the technical parts of this bill. The objection which I now seek to enforce comes to me from judges and from lawyers who understand this subject thoroughly, and from one lawyer especiallyI might say it without disrespect to this committeewho knows as much about this subject as any gentleman who will take part in this discussion. He thinks, and others think, that this section is exceedingly objectionable. I agree that it is, and I suggest to the committee whether, without adopting necessarily the idea of an official as siguee, they had not better dispense with apro vision which, for the reason I have indicated, and which I would indicate more at leugthif I had time, is, I submit, nnnecesshily objectionable.