Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1871-04-05
Eotes from Harrisburgh.

day a very important bill. 1t provides that
ION and after January /, 1872, all moneys
received from licenses shall be paid into the
several county treasures instead of the State
Treasury as heretofore. Our State fnan
css are in such fourishing condition, and
our State debt is being so fast liquldated,
that we have arrived at point wherein we
can calculate to certainty not ouly our re-
sources, but our wants Every year our
income Is increasing, and the present year
will demonstrate that we can easily spare to
the counties the tax from licences, and still
have sufficient for State wants. In 1867
our revenue was about FIVE and half mil
lions. We relieved real estate from taxa
tion yielding one and a half millions, and yet
last year we had revenue of six millions,
sufficient to pay our expenses and one mil
lion and a half of our State debt, and this
year it will be at least six and a half millions,
fully two millions beyond our expenses. 1t
is fact well known to ali fnanciers that. the
only way to economize in our expenses Is
to so regulate our taxes that they shall yield
sufficient for our needs and no more. An
excess bcgets extravaganza. Hence, we
to the counties from whence it was taken in
lS42, when we were in need. IF the coun-
ties then choose to relinquish it entirely or
modify it, they can do so, and W hope eve
ry member, regardless of party feeling, will
join in passing this bill.
The apportionment bill reported by the
House Committee compares favorably with
the Democratic measure which passed the
Senate, as it does not emasculate the map
of the State, and makes fair and equitable
the State chance to elect majority Of the
representatives in both Houses, privilege
which they were debarred from by the Ser
ate bill
The House acted promptly in passing this
just and equitable apportionment bill, aud
il now goes to the Senate for consideration.
The latter body has taken the somewhat
lofty position that it viii compel the House,
or Republicans 10 act in accordance with its
dictation, or will stop legislation. Consid-
Republican and the Legislature quite as
strongly Republican as Democratic-each
party having one legislative body-the &C
ton Of the Senate has some of the old snap
of the slave drivers whip. Three weeks
ago, the Democratic majority in the Senate
agreed in caucus, TO take such action as
would compel Republicans to agree to their
measures They seek to force CO ordinate
body to submit to their dictatiou. A great
er outrage was never attempted by one leg
isative body on another. But they have
overstepped the bounds of proprlety. The
gauntlet they have thrown down has been
taken up, and Republicans have determined
to come to an open rupture, and entirely
stop legislation rather than be dominated
by the majority in the Senate. If the SEN
| ate will not appoint conference committee.
and compromise tile question of apportion-
ment, legislation is about ended during the
present term of the Legislature. Let is be
remembered, the Republicans in the Legis-
laturc willing to confer, and agree on
some fair measure thus far the Democrats
are not. The latter are therefore responsi-
be for any lack of legislation that may fol-
low. Among the things that will thus be
crowded aside is the proposed amendment
of the Cons, tuition. In preventing this
the Democrats are realizing, Of course, their
nrecisn wishes. But it remains to be seen
whether the presentation of this subject to
! the people will not serve to illustrate their
eagerness to preUeat rather than consuuate
needed reforms. This will afford an excel
lent proof, before the people, of the SINGER
| ity of their outcry agains: the Republican
party for not cffecting certain reforms, as
well as of their earnestness to secure benefi
| cial changes in our State Constitution. The
| Democracy, in a word, are following out
their old propensities, demanding every
thing, and if they cannot secure it, obstruc-
| ting legislation. We confess. however, that
| in political sense we are neither surprised
nor sorry. They are making capital for the
Republican party in the State at most
rapid rate.
! A petition signed by several thousand
citizens of Cumberland county, has been
presented to Gov. Geary asking him to par
don Dr. Scheppe DOW confined in Jail at Car
| Isle under sentence Of death for the murder
of Miss Steinicke The petition is endorsed
by the best citizens of Cumberland county,
and among these many who heretofore be-
lieEed Scheppe guilty. The Governor has
referred all the papers to the Attorney Gen
eral to make report thereon preparatory to
future action.
INFORMATION WANTED-of Edward
Mitchell tprinterl, aged twenty eight, who
left his home in Somerset, Pennsylvania,
about ten years ago. When last heard
from, about three years since, his addres;
was corner Centre and White streets, New
York. Any information in regard TO him
will be thankfully received by his father
c. f. Mitchell, Greensburg. The news
papers thoughodt the country will confer a
lasting favor upon an old printer by giving
the above notice conspicuous publicity.
! Il.