The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-02-13
LETTER FROM HARRISBURG.

THE RETURN FROM PITTsBURG--A FLARE-UP AT THE
BAEQUET-THE CoNNELLsvmLE RAILROAD
ANOTHER NEW RAILROAD BIIr-THE PAWN
BROKERS' BILL-THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO
VOTE FOR OR AGAINST PASSENGER RAILWAY
CARS TO RUN ON THE SABBATH ETC. ETC.
ESPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS EVENING TELEaRAPHl
HARRISBURG, February II.
The members who attended the 'iunket-
ing' at Pittsburg all returned last night.
They express themselves highly delighted
with their trip, and with the princely hospi
tality extended to them. The banquet at the
Monongahela House, on Friday evening, was
great affair. There were over three hundred
persons present, and the speech-makng to-
wards the latter part of the entertainment was
somewhat boisterous. Mr.. Bigham, Senator
from Allegheny, took occasion to say that if
the Connellsville Railroad did not receive the
legislation they asked, it would be owing to
certain members being bought off by that huge
monopoly-the Pennsylvania Railroad Com
pany Mr.. Barton (Rep.), of Delaware
county, severely rebulled Mr.. Bigham
! for making such a gratuitous assertion. Mr..
| McCandless, Senator from Philadelphia, also
| gave Mr.. Bigham to understand that there was
| Just as honest men to be found in either
! branch of the Legislature as were to be found
in the Allegheny delegation, and he did not
| see why their motives were to be lmpugned,
nor could he see what the Connellsville Rail
road Company had to do with their visit to
Pittsburg. This little episode created quite a
sensation, and caused some virtuous indig-
! nation.
The members visited the Penitentiary the
Soldiers Home, the Orphans Asylum the
House of Refuge, Dixmont Lunatc Asylum,
and other institutions, and We're handsomely
entertained at each. All of these institutions
| are asking for large apprOpriations-the
| Penitentiary alone wants $l65, 900. Some of
the members are highly censured by others
for adjourning the Legislature for week, to
the neglect of urgent business, for the pur-
pose of 'going junketing.''
| The Connellsville Railroad matter creates
considerable feeling in both Houses, and was
strongly opposed by the friends of the Penn
sylvania Railroad Company in the Senate this
| afternoon.
A new Free Railroad bill will be introduced
this week, divested of the objections to the
two bills already before the Legislature. The
creation of a Railroad Bureau will be stricken
out, and the individual liability clause inserted.
bill so modified, and not to be construed SO
as to interfere with railroad franchises already
granted will pass with little or no opposition.
The sooner it is passed the better it will be for
honest legislation and the true interests of the
State.
was mistaken, in my last letter, in stating
that Mr.. Adaire introduced the bill for the
better regulation of pawnbrokers in Philadel-
phia. Mr.. Subers has the credit of presenting
this bill. 1t is now in the hands of the proper
committee, and as it is most important mat
ter to all classes of your city, it should be
speedily reported to the House. There IS a
desire upon the part of majority of the mem
bers to have it passed, as it is believed that it
will not only prove of benefit to the golfers OF
| a State. an m
Of petty larcenies which are daily committed
III your city.
Mr.. Kens called up in the House, this after
noon, the act to ascertain the views OF the
qualified electors of the city and county of
Philadelphia as to allowing the Passenger Rail
WayCompanies to run their cars on Sunday. Mr..
Quigl0y moved to amend, by Offering an addi-
tional section:-''That the several Passenger
Railway Companies are hereby authorized to
run their cars on all days of the week: Pro-
vided, That this act shall go into effect when a
majority of the lawful voters or electors of
said city, shall determine in favor thereof, by
the special election hereinbefore provided for
Messrs Quigley, Hood, Lee, Davis, and Barton
warmly advocated the bill. Mr.. Armstrong, OF
Lancaster, moved its indefinite postponement,
as he was opposed to the bill ON Christian
grounds
Mr. Waddell, of Chester, contended that the
people had no right to make laws, or vote for
laws Delng lnaue' llley selJ tuelr representa-
tives here for that purpose. If their repre-
sentatives wanted the passenger railway cars
) to run on Sunday, they should come up here
: and vote in favor of the measure, and not
shirk the responsibility by trying to screen
themselves behind the votes of the people.
Mr.. Pennypacker opposed the indefinite post
ponement he was in favor of the bill, and
: wanted the question settled; and if it came up
before the Legislature again while he was a
member he should move an amendment that
all persons be allowed to ride, without distinc-
tion as to race or color. Mr.. Davis, of Philadel-
phia, took the same grounds.
From the course the debate took, it is evident
: that there is a disposition on the part of a
: | majority of the members to let the people de-
: eide the matter for themselves. The motion
to indefinitely postpone was lost, and without
taking further action the House adjourned.
, AJAX.
I'M