The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-01-07


T1oN AND ITS Evus-THE PINE CREEK RAIL
ROAD AND THE APPoRTIoNNIENT-Gov
GEARY AND TIE UNITED STATES SENATE.
HARR1sBURe, Jan. 6, 1871
Special Correspondence Of The BUening Telegraph
DULL WEEK.
For the first week of the session of the Legis-
lature this has been the quietest that has been
experienced in Harrisburg for a number of
years. Barring the onslaught made upon
Senators Petriken and Findlay on Monday
night, there tae been no excitement whatever.
Outside of the hotels and the legislative halls
there was no perceptible difference from the
dullest week in July or August. 1t is remark
able that such should be the case, considering
that the State Treasurer contest, which is
always productive of so much excitement will
be at an end on Wednesday next. The situa-
ton in that matter has not been altered,
although the Democracy seem satisfied that
their services will again be needed to elect a
boiling Republican, in which case they expect
to receive come recompense in the apportion-
ment, If it transpres.
THE COMMITTEES.
The week has been productive of nothing of
importance in the way of legislation. Both
houses have adjourned until Tuesday in order
that the Speakers may have an opportunity to
make up their committees so as to announce
them in the early part of the next week. This
part of the work has been carried on so quietly
that the curiosity of the anxious ones has not as
vet been satisfied. In conversation day or two
ago Speaker Webb said that he had seen less ex-
citement in this regard az this session than he
had ever known in his life, aud the only reason
he could give for it was that in the canvass for
the Speaker no pledges had been given or re-
quired.
THE RECORD.
The matter of the publication of Record has
been referred to a joint committee of both
houses, which will meet at an early hour, 80 as
to be able to report at the earliest possible mo-
ment There is considerable difference of
opinion as to the manner in which the docu-
ment shall appear, some favoring the style of
the old Record, others recommending full
record of the proceedings with a short synopsis
of the debate, and others desiring a report of
the proceedings with merely the names of mem
bers advocating or opposing measures. Another
idea is to publish the report in two of the papers
of Harrisburg, and in that event. should the
Telegraph be defeated there would be much
difficulty placed in the way, as Mr.. Bergner will
never quietly acquiesce in his o.d patronage
being torn away from him AMI transferred to
the columns OF his rival The record of the
proceedings, with the names of those advocating
or opposing measures, seems to be the best, as
it will satisfy the people, and then again it can
be produced every morning, with the report of
the work of the day previous.
THE CONTEST IN THE FIRST SENATORIAL DIS
TRICT.
There seems to be no doubt that the seat OF
Colonel Dechert will be contested by Mr.. Lyn-
dali, the revelations made by the Democratic
leaders of that district, together with the infor-
nation otherwise obtained by Republicans,
Warranting such course. 1t is said that the
most astounding frauds can be substantiated
without any trouble, the Democracy acting on
the authority of very prominent legal gentle
men that the Registry law did not apply to
special elections. Hundreds of men were
marched up to the Democratic polls sand testified
that they had been residents of the division for
ten days, and this was taken as sufficient au-
thority for the reception of their ballots. Again
name upon name is found upon the lists the
owners of which can appear and testify that
they were never near the polls on the Goth OF
December. Should this be accepted as compe.
tent testimony there is sufficient of it to warrant
the throwing out of nearly every Democratic
division in the district 1t may be interesting
to know that in drawing the committee to de-
eide this case, in the event of the papers con-
testing the seat being fled the names in the box
will com prise sixteen Republicans and ffteer
Democrats. This is caused by the fact that the
Speaker and the sitting member cannot partici
pate in the trial.
SPECIAL LEGISLATION AND ITS EVILS.
There is but little speculation as to the legis
Iation in the prospective, but all seem to con
cede that it will be decidedly lively session
at which more than ordinary precaution will
have 10 be taken. Should Mr.. Josephs and the
rest of the members follow the course which he
announced few days ago-that of not allowing
any legislation being enacted under a sHspen
sion of the rules-there will be an immense
saving of damage to the people of the Common
wealth. There is another matter which should
receive the serious consideration of every mem
ber, and that at once. Several bills have beel
known to have been so manipulated after having
left the legislative halls that when they reache
the Governor the originators of them did no
know them.
They had been so altered that their charitabl
intent had been turned into the most giganti
frauds upon the State. In one or two instance
these measures have become engraven upon tn
statute books, with no remedy to efface then
Where this manipulation has taken place hs
been mystery, but an investigation of the ma
ter of the railroad company in the northeaster
part of the State which was at the last sessio
relieved of an annual tax of 100000 migt
make such disclosures that such things migl
be prevented in the future Again, whole SCI
tions have been found incorporated in bill
which were not there when originally offere'
that is, special acts have been made genera
This could be remedied by compelling the clerl
to resd the entire bill in both houses of IL
Legislature.
THE PINE CREEK RAILROAD AND THE APPol
TIONMEkT.