Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-01-15

4hitaSStCuN tHt EtSppDSlDltlty 1OF
which, after the adjournment, but few mem
bers could be found willing TO assume, or
even to admit any knowledge of their pass
age. it Is expected that every legislator
should be acquainted with all that is trauss
pirIng IN the legislative halls He is not
SIMPLY chosen to give his support to certain
buds which have been called to his individu.
al attt ntlon, but to be constantly on the alert
TO Illustrate every act that may have ten
dency TO jeopardize the public interests. To,
plead ignorance after a real or imaginary
wrong has been done, is to acknowledge
want OF attention to the trust reposed by his
constituents. One bill, the authorship and
knowledge of which has been generally dis
claimed, passed both branches of the AS
sembly, and was sent in due form, with the
signatures of the proper officers, for Execu-
tive approval. anC IN several instances bills
were passed and sent for approval in dupG-
care. All such hasty and careless legislation
should be avoided. and the members Of the
session now about to commence be euabled
at Its close TO give an account of their par
ticipation IN every act, however unimpor-
tant. The LEGISLATURE, coming as it does
fresh from the ranks of the people, should
set an example in economy, retrenchment
and reform 1t is the custodian of the pub
nc interests, and any unnecessary extrava-
gance or prodigality in the expenditure Of
public money IS reprehensible Ii was q
matter OF common notoriety at the last ses.
sion that number of subordinate officers,
III both branches of the Assembly, were ap-
pointed, to whom liberal salaries were paid
ana who were never seen at their designated
posts. and rendered no service to the State.
This practice has been emphatically con-
demned by the press and the people, and
viii not be continued by any Legislature
which means to acquire reputation for
faithful performance of duty. Your
attention is respectfully invited to the law
on this subject as contained in sections fifteen
to eighteen Of the act approved the 7th day
of May, 1885.
ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS.
l our attention Is directed to the practice
OF Withholding the annual appropriation bill
until the latest moments of the session. In
the public estimation great importance is
attached to this bill, and no action Of the
Legislature undergoes closer or more care
full scrunity. Its provisions concern the en-
tire community, and in their enactment too
much caution cannot be observed. Last
year the appropriation bill was not passed
until the last night of the session, when it
was hurried through both branches of the
Legislature, and oD the following morning
presented for approval, without atfording
time tor the necessary investigation, and SUBJ
jecuIng the Executive to the alternative of
signing 1t with ali its imperfections, or sus-
pending, for the ensuing year, the indispen-
sable means for the operations of the State
Government. 1t is, therefore, earnestly de-
sired that the appropriation bill be takenup
discussed, and passed at sufficiently early
period during the session TO enable it to re-
celVe that thorough examination which its
Importance demands.
PERQUISITES OF OFFICE.
Very many serious complaints have been
made for many years past relative to the dis
position OF the debris which annually accd-
mulates about the Capitol. This seems to
have been regarded as legitimate perquIsires
Of certain attaches of the several legislative
and other depa. tments and has consequent
ly led to pra tees which should be prevent
ed. 1t is alleged that valuable property has
thus been taken possession OF aud applied 10
personal uses, or sold for mere nominal sums,
and the amount obtained privately appropri-
ated. i remedy for this evil is TO allow no
perquisl,es whatever to any employees OF the
government Stlaries, sufficient in all cases
Tor the services rendered, should be appro-
priated beyond which no other consideration
should be allowed The ad1ption of this
principie would remove the temptation for
young men in the departments to resort to
improper practices. All the public proper
ty, of every description. as well as the build
ings and grounds, should he placed in charge
of the superintendent appointed for that
purpose, chosen for his known integrity and
general capablity, and required to give suf-
iicient bonds for the faithful performance of
his duties All property and material nos
needed for public use, the superintendent
should be required to sell at public sale, and
pay over the proceeds to the State Treasury.
INSURANCE DEPARTMENT.
NV attention has been called TO the SUBJ
iect of insurance, and SO important does it
appear, t!lat [ deem it worthy of legislative
consideration. Many millions of dollars are
now involved, in the United States, in in
surance. and the amount is being rapidly in
creased. To guard the interests of insurers,
our laws are adequate, and therefore need a
thorough revision. Laws have been estab-
lished i'll several of our sister States, and so
successful have been their operations that
the insurance companies acting under them
command a respect aud confidence which Is
not extended to those of Pennsylvania.
Whilst a large portion of the insurance bu-
siness of New York is done In this State,
some of our companies have recently aboi-
ished their agencies in New Y ork, because as
they saw. no one there will insure IN Pennsyl-
vania company, in consequence of the iaxi-
tv of our insurance laws The policies of
many organizations, under our present laws,
are alleged to be worthless; and although
they are continually failing, others of SINH
las character are starting into existence.
Within few months five fire insurance
companies have failed, one of which had Is
sued policies to over one million OF dollars,
and other serious defections are of frequent
occurrence.
In view Of these facts and the costly ex.
perience of the people, | would recommend