New-York tribune., 1873-03-14
THE PENSSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE.

TIE MORE IMPORTANT PROPOSITIONS BEFORE
1.-THE LAW OF LIBEL-sENAroR WAL
LACE's SPEECH AGAINST RAILROAD LOB
BYIsTS-THE GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL.
IPROM AN OCC ASlONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
HARRISBURG, March 11.-FOr the past ten
years efforts been made pass through the Penn
syyana Legislature bill allowing persons prosecuted
for libel to prove the truth of their statements or
charges aud making the truth sufficient justification.
Each year the bill deliberately killed; but the ad-
vocates Of such law lmportunate as ever and
have at this session been 80 successful as 10 have
their proposition reported from standing committee
OF the House. and the matter may be discussed this
week or next There is little doubt however that the bill
will be cruelty consigned to the same grave with its pre-
decessors. There ia prospect that the maximum
number OF officers and men in the State militia will be
reduced to 5OOO that the direct militia tax will be
abolished, and that the minimum OF companies will be
fixed at 90 officers and men, the force to be
maintained by funds taken directly from the
Treasury rThe ICenenary at Philadelphia will
be supported by State aid and not less than 100000 will
be voted at this session OF the Legislature There
growing feeling here for the necessity of legazing
higher rate of interest in this Commonwealth but the
rural members OF both Houses generally opposed TO
a change and when they borrow, do not want TO be
bound up by higher rate. Seven per cent may be
egaized this session, but it is very doubtful whether
majority OF either branch be secured by those inter
ested for higher rate.
ceved the approval OF the Executive fixing S. 900 as the
maximum sum that might be recovered from any rail.
road company In tho State by the relatives surviving
friends OF any individual killed by accident. mat
how culpable the company or its employees or how
valuable the life lost, while the relatives OF any
ploye killed while in the discharge of his duties can re-
absolutely nothing Soon after its passage
manifest everywhere that the statute was very OBJ
noxious one; but every attempt at repeal by
members OF subsequent Legislatures has sgnay
failed, the repeating clause being generally buried In
the secluded resorts OF what once called the
"pinchers" but now go by the dignifed term OF
Standing Committees Last week another repeating bill
introduced but so busy were the railroad agents
looking after other than the interests OF their employ
ers that il referred a Standing Committee and
by that Committee reported afrmatvey to the House
even suspicion had been
out its friends and opponents being publicly known.
railroad corporations continues with the same
nnb lnshing ehrontery but more guardedly IN
Cearfold gave vent some OF his private feelings
ON the subj eet OF this course day day two ago His
T Ss S1s sS 'POPcnss O & S
TRIBUNE and others AMONG other things he said; -
h hnS @ Know aae innaences nee that surround Senators
In opposition TO the interests OF my constituents and
pitted against these convincing proofs Day by day
when Diis OF questionable character are pending,
be banished from the Legislature the capitol Pvng
their Infamous traffic. they pass with perfect freedom
the barriers that our rules prescribe. Mingling
gth the representatives of the people, they
drag their shiny way throughout these halls
communicating. coruptng, aud degrading all they
touch Unrestrained they traverse the transcribing
rooms add fupOr has II that there the Imprint of
their foul work may be traced upon the pages OF the
record In our cOmnlitteero0ms, in the Obbes ut our
desks In session and out or session. eau see and re-
cognize these birds OF evil omeD-these skilled aud
trained eorrupers Of the OF legislation IL the
tender merces OF these haTpes TO be consulted my
constituents have but slight chance OF Justice Against
the result that they would have most earnestly pro
test And well he may, for u corrupt, sneaking
conamnatng class OF men permitted 10 exist
wherever semblauce TO a law-makng body has been
vened.
bill 10 reorganize the Congress districts has been
drawn but not presented. and when ia will not re-
eeye the sanction OF majority OF the Senate and prob
ably notQf tho House, unless materially altered The
time now when apportonment bill must be drawn 10
SUIT the personal yiews and petty interests OF majority
OF Legislature else, however righteous in every other
respect cannot become law The Appropriation bill
VIII probably be considered this week the Lower
House Among other appropriations, the 6llowing are
contemplated Common schools, S500000 education OF
soldiers ana and sailors orphans ti60o0 public prlnt
ing 100000 publishing The Legislature Journal isi4 "A
pagel over $4,000 Judges Of the Supreme Court (nye
100000 benators and Representatives, $i60O0 penien.
uaries, s5JOOO various charitable Institutions over sS
600, including s90OOO To two medical coeges I'm PbiI,
deipha IL s doubtful whether the Logsauro will Adj
loufn before the lst OF May.