The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-05-05
communicated from the state Capitol J
II Mn,, D,l 1g-f

In your last news from the State Capitol,
your readers were given synopsis of the re-
port of the Boom Investigating Committee
in which charges were preferred against Pc
trof and Lynott, members of the House
then, but members no longer.
From the report of the committee on Mon
day the whole of the last week with the ex.
ception of Tuesday was consumed by the
House in attempting to fad Il way out
OF the intricate labyrinth into which it had
been led. One day the House could have
been seen in the position of trying TO resolve
itself into a high court of impeachment.
The next in trying to send the matter back
to the committee with instructions to do
their work over again, and the coup de grace
of the weeks work, on Friday, was sending
the boom bill back to the Senate and asking
the speaker of that body to sign and trans
nit it to the governor before it had been
purged of the corruption which surrounded
it and before even any definite action in
that direction had been taken
On Monday morning after quiet Sunday
for cogitation, the House resumed the con-
sideration of the matter with a seeming
clearer insight into the "true inwardness"
of the conduct of its misguided members,
than had at any time Heretofore been man.
ifested. A resolution embodying the expul-
sion of Representatives Petrotf and Lynott
''tOr conduct unbecoming member" was
proposed by Mr.. Hays Chairman of the inves-
tgating committee and an attempt made by
him to introduce it. The friends of Petrofr
however insisted on their right to a trial be-
fore the bar of the House. and the resolution
was consequently withdrawn for this pur-
pose.
A hearing was accorded to Mr.. Petroff
through his counsel j. Alex. Simpson Esq.
Messrs Wolfe, Hays and Christy were APP
pointed managers of the case on the part of
the House.
This trial to speak of it truthfully was
nothing but farce, 1t consisted chiefly of
rehashing of the testimony of Capt. Skin
ner, Journal Clerk, and that of Petroif him
self An opportunity was then given to the
counsel of Petroff to get off an argument
founded on the lame premises that Petroff
was legislative reformer who started into
this business for the purpose of exposing the
lobby for the bill. A fine chance was also
given, to Wolfe ct al to get off high sounding
speeches on the spread eagle style, when
after tiresome session lasting late into the
evening q vote upon the resolution of expul-
sion was reached and by two.thirds vote of
all present Mr.. Petrof was declared ex-
PEELED from his seat as member of the
House of Representatives.
This morning the trial of Lynott was next
in order. runor afloat, that he intended if
possible, to evade expulsion by resigning,
promptly drew from the indefatigable HAYS
Chairman Of the Investigating tribunal, at
| the opening of the morning session, a res
olution of expulsion. 1t then transpired
that the resignation of Mr.. Lynott was ac.
tnally in the hands of the speaker, and per-
sistent efforts were made by his counsel Mr..
Stanton to have it read before action was
taken on the resolution. This failing the
defense abandoned their case, and with
| drawing, allowed the resolution of expulsion
to pass uncontested, when Mr.. Lynott was
also declared expelled from his seat as a
| member of the House.
Then followed the resignation of Journal
Clerk Skinner and its acceptance by chief
| Clerk Woolever whose appointee Skinner
was. The House having no jurisdiction in
the matter this action could not be present,
| ed. Having thus summarly disposed of
the boom question the House settled down
| to business and passed number of bills up
| on third reading, the first work of the kind
| for a week.
1t now remains with the Senate to finally
| disposed of this disgracefu boom business.
AT the request of Senator Boyer it has APP
pointed sub committee to report upon the
case of that gentleman. Further action
with regard to Mr.. Boyer is suspended until
that committee is heard from.
The boom bill being sent to the Senate
this morning for the signature of the speak
er question was raised that it could not
be received, and this is the question which
nov agitates the minds of learned Senators.
It's discussion was entered into TO day and
will be resumed TO morrow.
In our next ard closing letter will give
your readers res4ms Of the work Of the
session. n