The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-04-15
THURSDAY, APRIL IS, 1869.
Tux LAST LEGISLA TIVE SCHEME TO
ROB THE PEOPLE.

No COMMENT upon the proceedings oil the Le-
yisIature can be moro severe than the brief tele-
.,raphic reports of the ubiquitous measures which
from time to time receive the support of the men
who 80 shamefully misreprcscnt the people OF
Pennsylvania. Their misdceds carry condemna-
ton upon their face, and IL every day grows
more aud more palpable that nowhere in the
Commonwealth can men be found who evinee rs
much anxiety to injure and plunder their fellow
citizens, as among the rapacious members OF the
State Senate and House Of Representatives. The
General Appropriation bill which recently
passed the House contained, among other mon
strositics, a section providing for the payment of
the twenty-seven superfuous employees for
whom places were created at the commencement
of the session in defiance of law. The Senate
committee of conference agreed to the retention
Of this section. but by e singular piece of good
fortune for the taxpayers, this report was de-
feated Yesterday; and If the Senate steadfastly
maintains its virtuous resolution, the experiment
Of providing sinecures for needy followers of
As6emblymen may yet prove as unprohtaoic 30
IL manifestly unjust.
While the House unnecessarily voting
away money for this and other purposes which
confer no real benefit upon the public and
whiio it is clearly evident that the present reye
for ell the legitimate objects of State expendi-
iurc under the existing system, it hastily i'm
posed host of new taxes, and the telegraphic
report of its proceedings the 14th instant
contains the following amazing paragraph
't must be explained in reference to the Tax bill,
that Il has become apparent since its passage yes
terday morning at half-past 1 o'clock that 1t i'm
poses new taxes on coal, OIL and whisky, and re-
leases the railroad companies OF the State from the
burden of their taxation. This was done by tack
fauw IN no Ion Tth
hundred and fifty sections"
We doubt very much whether there is another
civilized State in the world, possessing sem
blance of constitutional government, in which
equal disregard for the rights and interests of
the people was ever manifested. The Constitu-
ton requires that bills levying taxes and appro-
priatng money must originate in the popular
branch Of the Legislature, and theoretically it
was presumed that this preeaution would ensure
vigilant regard for the pecuniary welfare OF
jealous constituencies But 1t seems our argus
eyed legislators impose heavy new burdens with
out being even aware of the fact! They tax
whisky petroleum, and coal, and absOlye rail-
road companies from heavy annual contributions
TO the State at halt-pasl o'clock in the MORN
Ing, without discussion, without consideration,
aud without the slightest idea of what they are
doing If the business Of the State is turned
over to the French Opera Company, to be dis
posed of as they see proper in the closing scene
Of Geneuiere or Fleur de The, or to the negro
serenaders as the grand wind-up of series of
break downs, walR-rounds, and plantation melo-
dies, they cannot display greater carelessness
and recklessnese thar the men duly nominated
elected, and paid TO legislate have shown in this
Instance. The opera company or the serena
ders would, indeed, in all probability take inf
niteiy greater pains 10 please the public, and at
all events, to avoid giving them just cause of
ofense; and if they did happen to make an over
eight or mistake, they would show greater will
ingness to correct it than the Legislature eynced
yesterday; for one of the most singular features
OF the diScreditable transactions there is that
Whe0 a motion was made TO request the Senate
~ return the Tax bill, which had been rushed
through in such unseemly haste the reporter
tells Us that "Mr. Davis made a short speech,
but strong. in which be urged the House not TO
make towards of themselves by undoing their
OWE work." and this appeal proved SO potent
that the Tax bill, passed in ignorance, was con-
hrmed az an act OF Legislative valor. 1t must be
confessed that the Legislature is rarely wanting
In courage when taxpayers are to be leeced,
and that it advances 70 the charge as boldly as
hungry wolves attacking a badly wounded
suffslo.
The sections of the new Tax bill which are
published provide for tax of five cents per
gallon on whisky, one fourth of cent per gallon
ON petroleum, and TWO cents per ton on anthra-
cite coal, and for the creation of a host of new
Officials, possessing powers similar to those ex-
ercised by the assessors and deputy collectors
now appointed by the National Government, to
collect these new taxes. The people are to be
oppressed, and places provided for politicians
IN this manner, so that the railroad companies
may be enabled TO increase their present large
dividends. 1t is reported, to the credit of the
two most powerful railroad corporations of the
State, that they refuse to aid the bill, notwith-
standing the splendid bribe Is proffers TO them,
and remains to be seen how much virtue the
Senate will display in resisting this last outrage
The reporter telegraphed last night that the
bill was engineered by one of the most wealthy,
shrewd and energetic men in Pennsylvania, but
there is every prospect that 1t will be defeated,
as the members fear that Its provisions Will be
unpopular with the masses" but he added, in
trepidation, that although it was, perhaps,
dead, Il was Certainly not yet buried" Whether
this is a serious attempt to effects radical change
m the revenue laws of the Commonwealth with
out any just reason, or merely base device to
levy contributions on distillers, wen-owners Goa
operators, and railway officials, 1t Is equally
odious and the men who have Willingly sane
toned such an infamous proceeding have thereb.
forfeited all claims TO the respect and conhdenc
of their constituents
DOGBERRY IN COURT.
YESTERDAY q number OF committing magh
trates. In common parlsnce termed aldermen
La