The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-02-24
How ThIngs are Done at Harrisburg.

How Things are Done at Harrisburg.
T4E telegraphic abstract OF the proceedings of
the Pennsylvania Legislature yesterday has
been used, by the oomplaisanoe OF the re-
norter. as q CON nvenient medium for spreading
bafore the citizens OF Philadelphia the follow
ing lame apology
Ssanator Heuszey desires TO state, In regard
To the Weighing bill introduced by hlm lnto tue
Senate, that in presenting ~ ne mlereLy exc
outed inc request of some Influential constitu-
ants Public attention Is called 10 the factthat
IL does not follow that any senator or member
muat necessarily endorse or sanction every Dill
which he presents. On the contrary, IL is of
almost daily occurrence for memoeIs, out OF
regard to the wishes of their constituents, 20
intposuce measures to which they are opposed,
and which they very often help to defeat"
Il is well-recognised principle oflegislation
that q representative can properly present
any petition signed by portion Of his con-
stituents, even if he disapproves of the mea-
sure asked for, provided the petition is
couched in respectful language. On this
principle it was not uncommon occurrence
for Democratic Sena ors from Pennsylvania,
in bygone years, to present the petitions of
anti.slavery societies, for the abolition OF
slavery, to the United States Senate. But
even this practice was frequently, il not
u sually accompanied by an explicit disavowsl
Of sympathy with the object of the petitioners
when the subject matter was of sufficient
Importance to attract serious attention.
We see no good reason why the practice of
presenting petitions TO Oblge constituents
should be extended to the presentation of
bills. 1t is doing rather too much to "oblige
Benson" to assume the paternity of proposed
-, Cd
stage. 1t seems fair to assume that when
member of parliamentary body presents bill,
that he really desires its passage, unless he
explicitly announces his hostility. But it
appears to be the practice at Harrisburg for
members to introduce measures of any descrip-
tion, under the happy consciousness that they
are perfectly free to claim reward and credit
or to disclaim all responsibility, according to
the final fate OF their bantlings.
This practice is at once convenient to the
members and confusing to the public. 1t beats
the thimble-rig, and bewildered constituencies
can never tell exactly "whers the little Joker
is" II the Twelfth and Sixteenth Streets
Passenger Railway bill, or the act incorpo-
rating "The Commercial Weighing Company
of Philadelphia" or any other iniquitous
scheme, happens to become law, the men,
Der who introduced the measure may be ready
to boast loud and long OF his zeal and courage
in "fghting the thing through" But if a
storm of indignation is raised, and necessity
arises for making specious display of regard
for the interests of an outraged people, it is
extremely convenient to tune the legislative
pipes to another key, and seek shelter b.
hind the miserable subterfuge that the Oh.
noxious bill was offered merely to obiige in
duentisl constituents.
1t is lamentable that the zeal disulaysd at
Harrisburg in "taking the chances" on unjust
but profitable legislation-for this is the sub.
stantial meaning of the system under discus
sion-is accompanied by reckless disregard
OF the important interests of the State. If q
bill is supposed to have money in It the live
liest interest is Immediately awakened; but i
1t has no better or other recomm endation thar
mere merit, it stands poor chance of becom
ing law.
The highest medical authorities of the State
have called attention to the import ance o
providing for the appointment of an Inspec
ator OF Drugs, and the fact is notorious tina,
lives are constantly endangered by the fre
quent adulterations which are gradual,
robbing medical prescriptions of their forme
meaning. But we hear little or nothing o
measures designed to remedy this or many
other evils and the order of business is S
arranged that while time is never wanting t
consider measures calculated to enrich col
fupt members and plunder the public, it
always difficult to obtain earnest consider
tion for measures designed to promote ii
public welfare.
If the genius of any inventor can devise a
inspeotorship that will keep Senators ar
Representatives honest and faithful to Il
public interests, there can be no better i
vestment than liberal salary to such 1
official; and the people would gratefully dl
penss with weighing companies, new passe
ger railways, inspectors OF pawnbrokers, etc
If they could be assured OF the future fdeli
of Senator Henszey and his cOmpeers.
The recent dispatches from Cuba leave i
doubt OF the continued success Of the revol
tion. Its proportions are rapidly increasin