The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-02-09
Ghe columbian
BLOOMSBURG, PA.
February 8, 1872.


the tlme Is tne nasty ihahhoi ih WhiSh
laws are made. The consequence is that
they are crude and lily digested, in
many instances unconstitutional, and
frequently, in the case of local bills,
are passed without consulting the peo
pie to be affected by them.
SO common is this that the Legislature
has become mere machine to advance
the interests of few influential citi-
zens, or OF powerful corporations. Mem
bers are are induced to vote for meas
ures which they believe to be wrong,
through fear that, If they do not, their
own legislation will be impeded or de.
feated. AS consequence, all matters,
however trifling, are thrown into the
legislative hopper and an immense
amount of chat, and cheat Is the conse-
quence. We have seen as many as one
hundred bills (many of them of the
gravest importance) passed in as many
minutes, the subject matter Of which
was known to only the members who
presented them, and in many instances
even they did not know the consequence
of what they were doing.
The record of last week S proceedings
Ia both Senate and House fully bears out
this statement. Bank acts were pre-
sented practically severing the connec-
ton between father and child--husband
and wife-and contrary to the entire
policy of the law. During the debate
on this subject, our Member, Mr.. Brock.
way said:
81 have noticed several bills with fea.
lures similar to this; and although l
think it is foregone conclusion that
they will pass-for there are few instan
ces where corporations are refused what
they ask in this body-yet L wish to
point out briefly an objection that
have to it, and TO all bills of this class.
Section three provides that married
women and minors shall be competent
to make such deposits with said corpor.
alton, and their checks, orders or receipts
for the same shall be a sufficient dis.
charge of the said corporation" &c.
This enables minors to deposit money
subject to their own control, and there
is no provision that the parent may
touch it. For that reason / think it is
Ill COllltl Win llt SutllC putty VI Oul
law. 1t changes all existing rules in
relation to married women, and enables
them to make deposits-whether they
are of their own earnings or nOt-and
keep them for their own separate use.
The capital stock of these corpora
tions is of such nature that there is no
protection whatever. By recent ex.
animation of some of these savings
banks in New York, it was found that
they were fraudulent there was no
security whatever for the depositor.
1t is true that some bills passed last
year and years previously, containing
this section. The fact is, this is All in
ducement for mans wife to go through
his pockets at night and make deposit
afterwards. I think it would make
more business for the Committee on
Divorces If this was passed.
The legal objections have not yet been
met so far as can see. The parent or
husband now by law is entitled to the
wages of his son or daughter, and he
should be entitled to them, having
reared them up to the age when they
would be useful to him. But suppose
the bank refuses or declines to pay for
any reason whatever, the married
woman cannot bring the suit, nor can
the minor in his own name. 1t seems
to me that is sufficient objection to the
BILL"
But these Banks, not content with
obtaining this privilege, have asked
to be allowed to become executors, ad-
ministrators, trustees, guardians, COM
mittees of lunatics, receivers, &C., aoih.
out giving bond or security, &c.
This section was also opposed by Mr..
Brockway and on motion was stricken
out. Another class of Objectionable
legislation is granting charters of incor-
poration where the Courts have power.
Dozens of such bills have been present
ed and will undoubtedly pass. Under
the law the Courts can grant charters to
loan associations and fire insurance
companies, yet large number of these
bills are now on the calendar and op-
position to their passage seems to be
futile.
Many hope and believe that the COM
ing con nstitutional convention will rem
edv all this. We believe not, because
the sane class of men who manage the
Legislature will probably control the
Convention. Even if wholesome re.
forms are incorporated in the Constitu-
tion, so long as Representatives are
elected in the present manner, they
will evade or openly ignore that instru-
ment as they are doing daily now. The
only plan is the adoption of system
which will enable good men to repres-
ent us, without being compelled to go
through forms in which a blackguard
or scoundrel stands the best chance OF
success.