paid moneys as his sureties, which shall be first paid out of the assets; and any person who shall have performed any labor as an operativeOperatives entitled to full amount of wages for labour, not exceeding $25.
Proviso. in the service of any bankrupt shall be entitled to receive the full amount of the wages due to him for such labor, not exceeding twenty-five dollars; Provided, That such labor shall have been performed within six months next before the bankruptcy of his employer; and all creditors whose debts are not due and payable until a future day, all annuitants, holders of bottomry and respondentia bonds, holders of policies of insurances, sureties, endorsers, bail, or other persons, having uncertain or contingent demands against such bankrupt, shall be permitted to come in and prove such debts or claims under this act, and shall have a right, when their debts and claims become absolute, to have the same allowed them;Value of debts payable in future may be ascertained and allowed.
Suits not maintainable on debts or claims proved under this act. and such annuitants and holders of debts payable in future may have the present value thereof ascertained, under the direction of such court, and allowed them accordingly, as debts in presenti; and no creditor or other person, coming in and proving his debt or other claim, shall be allowed to maintain any suit at law or in equity therefor, but shall be deemed thereby to have waived all right of action and suit against such bankrupt; and all proceedings already commenced, and all unsatisfied judgments already obtained thereon, shall be deemed to be surrendered thereby;In mutual debts or credits, the balance to be the true debt.
Proof of debts. and in all cases where there are mutual debts or mutual credits between the parties, the balance only shall be deemed the true debt or claim between them, and the residue shall be deemed adjusted by the set-off; all such proof of debts shall be made before the court decreeing the bankruptcy, or before some commissioner appointed by the court for that purpose; but such court shall have full power to set aside and disallow any debt, upon proof that such debt is founded in fraud, imposition, illegality, or mistake;Corporations may prove debts by an officer thereof.
Commissioners to be residents of the county where the bankrupt lives. and corporations to whom any debts are due, may make proof thereof by their president, cashier, treasurer, or other officer, who may be specially appointed for that purpose; and in appointing commissioners to receive proof of debts, and perform other duties, under the provisions of this act, the said court shall appoint such persons as have their residence in the county in which the bankrupt lives.
Cases to which the jurisdiction of the district court shall extend. may adjourn any point or question arising in any case in bankruptcy into the circuit court for the district, in his discretion, to be there heard and determined; and for this purpose the circuit court of such district shall also be deemed always open. And the jurisdiction hereby conferred on the district court shall extend to all cases and controversies in bankruptcy arising between the bankrupt and any creditor or creditors who shall claim any debt or demand under the bankruptcy; to all cases and controversies between such creditor and creditors and the assignee of the estate, whether in office or removed; to all cases and controversies between such assignee and the bankrupt, and to all acts, matters, and things to be done under and in virtue of the bankruptcy, until the final distribution and settlement of the estate of the bankrupt, and the close of the proceedings in bankruptcy.Courts may compel obedience to their orders and decrees.
District courts to prescribe rules, &c. And the said courts shall have full authority and jurisdiction to compel obedience to all orders and decrees passed by them in bankruptcy, by process of contempt and other remedial process, to the same extent the circuit courts may now to in any suit pending therein in equity. And it shall be the duty of the district court in each district, from time to time, to prescribe suitable rules and regulations, and forms of proceed-
