In re McLean

¶1The counsel for the bankrupt contends in effect, that the acceptance by the congress of the United States of the constitution of North Carolina, was in effect an amendment by congress of the bankrupt act of March 2d, 1867; and that the amendment thereby made had the effect to extend or alter the provisions, contained in the fourteenth section of the bankruptcy act, so as to embrace such a homestead, and such provision of personal property as is provided for in said constitution, in addition to the five hundred dollars in value, allowed to be exempted by said section. I am well satisfied that no amendment of the bankrupt law was contemplated by congress, in the act of acceptance referred to, and I am as well satisfied that that act had not the effect contended for. I have decided this question in the case of Thomas. C. Dodson, certified from the fifth district, in which I filed an opinion which was published in October, 1868. I see no reason for changing the views expressed in that opinion. It is not necessary that I should determine the question presented by the counsel for the as-signee, in regard to the retrospective character of the homestead provision in the North Carolina constitution, as I think it quite clear that the bankrupt is not entitled in any view of the case to the homestead or the personal property claimed by him.