Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1870-04-01
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.
LETTER FROM HARRISBURG
HARRIsBuRG, Pa, March 25. lS7.

HARRISBURG, Pa, March o.. 1870
SOLDIERS AND SAILORS MONUMENT
a bill has passed the House providing for
the erection of monument to the memory
of the soldiers and sailors who were slain, OF
lost their lives in the late Rebellion. The
bill provides that the monument shall be
erected in the public grounds at Harrisburg,
Immediately in front of the western porch
OF the capitol, and appropriates twenty
thousand dollars out of the State Treasury
for that purpose The bill ELECTED a long
and partizan debate in the House, and was
passed by pretty close party vote 1t will
likely pass the Senate
THE wATT-DIAMoND
Contested election case of the Senate has
been closed on the part of the sitting mem
Der, Mr. Watt, and the committee will meet
this evening for the purpose of hearing re-
butting testimony. Tie investigation has
unearlhed series of Democratic frauds that
are astounding, and as the case now stands
Mr.. Watt is entitled to the seat by hand
some majority. The testimony at the last
meeting showed that party of Baltimore
ans, to the number of about sixty, were EN-.
ployed and came to Philadelphia on election
day aud voted the Democratic ticket early
and often, in their usual manner. For this
work they were to be paid ten dollars each
and their expenses.
THE RAILROAD BILL
Passed last week, which takes nine and a
half millions of railroad bonds out Of the
sinking fund of the State Treasury, and re-
places them with bonds of roads not yet con-
structed, has not been acted upon by the
Governor, 1t is generally thought that it
will receive his approval, although there is
a possibility of a veto. A great diversity Of
opinion exists in reference to the propriety
of the measure, and a good deal Of opposi-
ton has been developed to the bill since its
passage
THE NEW METROPOLITAN POLICE BILL
For the city of Philadelphia has passed
the Senate, and has been reported upon
favorably by the committee to which it was
referred in the House. There is little ques-
ton of its passing that body, though It's ap-
proval by the Governor is still considered
doubtful.
THE GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL
Has been under discussion in the Senate
the most of the week, and only about half
of the sections disposed Of. The appropria-
ton to common schools is made five hundred
thousand dollars, instead of seven hundred
and fifty thousand dollars as it passed the
House. The pay of members is fixed at one
thousand dollars and mileage, the salary of
the transcribing clerks increased two hun
dred dollars, and that Of the other officers
remains as fixed by the law of 1865. The
question Of afording State aid to private
charities is again raised in the discussion of
the bill. The House included quite num-
Der, but the Senate Finance Committee cut
out all not recommended by the State Board
of charities In the Senate a strong effort
Is being made to get them restored The
policy Of granting State aid to nearly every
local charity that comes to Harrisburg and
asks for it is subject to so many abuses that
it IS questionable whether it ought to be
longer continued. The creation Oft State
Board of charities, it was supposed, would
have the effect of settling these questions,
but the tendency Of the Legislature is to
override their recommendations and again
open the door to giving State aid to private
institutions in all portions ofthe State.
DOWN on GAMBLERS.
The House has passed, and committee
in the Senate reported favorably, bin to
prevent gambling and lotteries in this State.
The penalty for gambling is a fine of one
thousand dollars aud imprisonment not to
exceed five years. This provision applies
to keepers Of games Lottery dealers are
punished 10 the same way, but those who
are gulled by the purchase Of tickets are ex-
empted. The duty of watching for such
games is imposed upon constables, and
keepers of hotels, inns and restaurants are
forbidden, under severe penalties, from al
lowing games in their houses. The relatives
of those who lose are enabled to sue and re-
cover in any court Of record The bill is
quite severe in its provisions, but perhap,
not more so than the character of the mat
ters legislated upon requires.
POLITICAL GOSSIP
Quite number of prominent politicians
have lately been in Harrisburg, looking after
legislation, which has given rise to con-
political discussion. The question
Of the next Governorship thus early re.
ceived its share Of attention, and the chances
Of certain aspiring politicians we're freely
gossipped over In connection with the /
Republican nomination were mentioned the T
names of Hon. w. w Ketchum. of Lu-
zernei Col. Elisha W, Davis, at present /
member of the House, from Philadelphia:
den Harry White, State Senator, from In
diana; Gen. Hartranft. of Montgomery, the
present Auditor General; Gen. James L.
Seifridge, Of Northampton, the present /
Chief Clerk of the House, and Hon. James
l. Graham, State Senator, from Allegheny.
on the Democratic side the most prominent
named are Hon. VIM. A. Wal (
ace, State Senator from Clearfeld; Hon.
Wm. A. Galbraith, of Erie; Hon. Charles
Buckalew, State Senator from Columbia,
md Gen. George w. Cass. of Allegheny.
THE BORDER CLAM BILL
las been abandoned BIZ its friends, the
JoVernor having intimated that he would
1eto the bill IN case it sould pass.
FINAL ADJOURNMENT
Both branches OF the Legislature have
greed to adjourn, finaly on Thursday, the