Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1867-03-15
nARR1sDuRG CORRESPONDENTS.


would shortly make move for the appoint
ment of a special committee to inquire into
the propriety Of removing the Capitol to the
city above named There appears to be a de
termination on the part Of the people of Phil
adelphia to secure the location of the Capitol
ia their midst, and year after year we find the
question of removal thereof from Harris
burg to that city. Whether sufficient influence
can be brought to bear upon the Legislature
to effect a removal, do not pretend to say,
but there is no denying the fact that there is
no real cause for such a move. The Capitol
buildings are now large enough for all purpo-
ses and accommodate every branch of the State
/ Government The Capitol extension, which
cost the State several hundred thousand dol
lars, is not yet completely finished, and il Mr..
Myers should succeed in his undertaking, this
very costly and magnificent building would
prove dead loss to the Commonwealth. An
executive mansion was purchased, two or
three years ago, at cost of about $4,000.
If this. and the extension, and the old Capt.
tol buildings, were put up at sale, they would
not bring one-third their cost, for the reason
that they would be useless for private purpo-
ses. Were the Capitol to be removed, new
buildings in Philadelphia would cost several
millions OF dollars, which would have to be
paid by additional taxation. The people are
not prepared to submit to this. Besides,
there is another important matter to be con-
sidered If, as is alleged, the Legislature is
corrupted in a city the size Of Harrisburg
with population of twenty-five thousand,
what could be expected of that body were it
to hold its sessions in Philadelphia, which
boasts of several hundred thousand inhabi
tants?
A bill has been passed giving the Courts of
common pleas power to grant charters Of in
corporation in all cases wherein any number
of persons, citizens of this Commonwealth,
are associated for the purpose Of insuring
horses, cattle, or other live stock against loss
| by death, from disease or accident or from
! being stolen, and also to grant charters of in
corporation to water and hook and ladder
companies, fire insurance companies, musical
associations, teachers institutes, skating
parks aud building associations. The same
act also makes valid all charters Of incorpo-
ration which have been granted heretofore by
any of said Courts of common pleas in cases
wherein the Supreme Court only had power
and authority to grant the same.
The House has passed an act relating to ev-
idence in actions of ejectment, which pro-
two or more persons, any of the defendants
shall be competent as a witness for either
plaintiff or defendant, as effectually as if not
made party to the record: Progided, that it
shall appear to the Court, upon the trial, that
the party so offered as a witness has disclaim-
ed, upon the record, all title to the premises
in controversy, and paid into Court the costs
already accrued, or given security for the
payment thereof, at the discretion of the
Court.
The committee appointed to examine into
the propricty Of enlarging the Governor s
residence and present plan and estimate Of
the cost of such enlargement, has reported in
favor of enlarging the mansion, and the work
viii doubtless be done the ensuing summtr.
1t is necessary, and should be completed as
speedily as possible.
Joint resolutions have been passed by the
Legislature, for the revision of the civil laws
Of the Commonwealth and providing for the
appointment Of Commissioners for that
purpose.
A bill has been passed by the Senate for
the incorporation Of the National Homestead
at Gettysburg.
The House has passed a supplement to the
Mechanics lien law, authorizing liens to h
issued for Improvements upon buildings, as
well as upon the original construction-pro-
yiding the repairs or improvements amount
in value to over twenty dollars.
The Senate has passed q free railroad law.
1t authorizes any number Of citizens, not less
than nine, to construct aud operate steam
railway, with a capital stock of not less than
SO, 600 per mile, and not less than six nor
more than twelve Directors. The prehmina-
~ arrangements must be acknowledged be-
fore an Alderman and fled with the Secreta-
ry of the Commonwealth but the Secretary
shall not file the same until SO, 900 Of stock
for each and every proposed mile Of road is
subscribed, and ten per cent thereof paid in
cash. The stockholders shall be individually
liable to the amount Of their stock for the
payment of wages, of labor, materials, right
of way, and damages. The directors may
keep open books to fill up the capital stock
The corporation shall be liable to the proyis-
ions Of the general railroad law Of 1919 No
charge shall be made for transporting coal,
iron, metal lumber or agricultural products,
exceeding two cents per ton per mile in pri-
vate cars, or two aud half cents in the cars
of the company. The stockholders may in
crease the capital stock, and may borrow, not
exceeding $40, 600 per mile, and issue seven
per cent bonds secured by mortgage They
may also build any branch roads deemed nee
essary.
The House has passed new liquor bill, or
rather, a supplement to the old one. 1t com
pels all applicants for license to sell liquor of
any kind, to petition the Court for the same.
County Treasurers can no Logger grant license
for keeping drinking saloons, and even the
Court cannot license such unless they are
connected with eating houses. Remonstran-
ces may be presented to the Court, and must
be heard.
The Senate Committee on Judiciary Local
has reported, as committed, an act to regulate
the fees Of the directors of the poor and
house of employment of the County of Bed