The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-01-14
THn Lne1sh hARURH.

ERRoR prI1-THE DELINQUENT TAX ooII,Eo-
IoR-THE REcoRD-THE PHrLADELPHIA CON-
TESTED sEATs-rHE PROBABLE FATE OF THE
PETITION IN THE FIRST SENATORIAL DISTRICT.
From Our 0vn CO TespOndcnt
HARRIsBURa, Jan. 13, 1871.
THE MILFORD AND MATAMoRAs swINDLR.
While there has been no really important
business transacted in the Legislature during the
week, there have been several matters intro
duced which promise to be the cause of inte-
resting times upon the Hill. The most promi-
nent of these is the presentation OF an act
repeating the supplement by which the Milford
and Matamoras Railroad Company was released
at the last session from paying an annual tax
of $4,000 into the State Treasury.
IL will be remembered this bill re-
ceived the Gubernatorial sanction, and
it's true character was not discovered until the
usual demand was made by the State Treasurer
for the payment of the tax. The Governor in
his annual message called the attention of the
Legislature to the fact, aud, as above stated
repeating act has been presented. This will
invoke a fight in which every effort will be
made toprevent Its passage. The same roguery
which was practised in 1870 will be repeated at
this session. The author of the ubiquitous mea-
sure is here at present, andis engaged in the
business of ''setting-up" the Senate. Should
he succeed in that branch of the legisls-
tive department of the State Government, he will
be compelled to go through the same ceremony
in the House, as a similar act will be introduced
there during the coming week. This kind of
legislation is decidedly refreshing to certain
class of the members, who participated in the
rooster rings whfsh became so notorious at the
session of 1870. Several of these fellows have
succeeded In being reelected, and already have
they begun to feel the pulse of the country dele
cations. Especially have they been active in
testing the committees, but they have as yet
met with but little encouragement in that
quarter, the main object of Speaker Webb
being to SO constitute these important
auxilaries to legislation as to
render It impossible for a ring to be formed to
bear upon any measure. But there is no telling
how men may act in a month or so, especially
after they have had taste of the expensive ma
ture of living at Harrisburg An investigating
committee might shed some light upon the
manner in which this Milford and Matamoras
bill became a law. 1t is said that it was offered
and read in the House, and that then the obnox-
ious section which causes a loss to the State of
nearly million of dollars was not included in
its provisions. 1t next went to the Senate,
where it was not amended, and yet when the
Governor gave 1t his signature the section was
there, but couched in such language that its
late. Its passage in its present shape looks very
singular, as there was gentlemen here watch
ing the progress of the measure: and he states
that after the Senate had acted upon it he ex-
amined it, and could find no such section as
subsequently appeared in it.
THE sCHoEPPE WRIT OF ERROR BILL.
Some of the members who were instrumental
In securing the passage of the bill providing
that, in cases of murder in the first degree, q
writ of error could be taken to the Supreme
Court, on Which that court could review the evil
dence as we'll as the law, are anxious to have it
expupged from the statute books. II was in
tended to apply to the case of DIR. Schoeppe,
now confined at Carlisle for the murder of Miss
stennecke, but its provisions have caused SO
much delay in subsequent cases that Mr.. Josephs
to-day introduced repeating act. 1t went to
the regular committee, and will receive action at
an early day.
THE DELINQUENT TAX COLLECTOR.
There is some talk of the introduction of
another repeating act. This will apply to the
bill, also passed at the last session. creating the
position of collector of delinquent taxes in
Philadelphia. This measure created great ex-
eitement among the then members, who felt
satisfied that 1t had received the sanction of the
House in some way other than the usual form.
Irregularities in the proceeding; but there were
decidedly material witnesses who were never
called before that committee, mainly from the
fact that they were not thought of at the time.
allude to the photographers who were present
and recorded every bill as the Speakers table
was cleared. l believe that If their notes had
been produced, the suspicion in the minds of
not only of the members but also of the COM
munity, that foul play had been practised, would
have been strengthened.
The presentation of the above repeating acts
shows the great caution which should be exer-
cised by members, and it also suggests the ne
eessity of a
RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS
being published daily by each branch of the
Legislature. This subject has received the con-
sideration of the joint committee appointed for
the purpose. They have directed that proposals
be received for a record similar to that of 1858,
when sketch of the debates was also pub
lshed. That the contractor who would attempt
to abstract the speeches of the present time
would rest on bed of thorns is too palpable to
need any further comment. Bat great neces-
sity does exist for the issuing of this document
That it will prevent outrageous legislation no
one will pretend to deny, and the State can well
afford to expend several thousands of dollars for
Its reproduction. The absence of such a publi-
cation last winter was the great temptation
which induced members TO vote for corrupt
measures, as their constituents would never
know how they voted on bills of interest to
their localities
THE CONTESTED SEATS.
The most absorbing event of interest to Phila-
delphians during the week has been the dIspo-
sitiOn of the cases which invoiva tha aaats of