The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-02-11
THE STATE CAPITOL.
HARRISBURG, Feb. 8, 1876.

dARRlSBURG, feD. 9, 1910.
Since last wrote you the Legislature has
been continuing almost uninterruptedly in
the easy grooves of routine work, grinding
out mass of crude legislation which it will
require many long days to digest. One con
summation of the past week has been the
perfectng of the once seemingly intermina-
BILE finance bill. The report of the confer
ence committe which was appointed on FRI
day last to adjust the differences of views en-
tertained by the two Houses of the Legisa.
ture as to the proper management of the fl
nances of the State was adopted this morn
ing in the House by vote of 1852 yeas to 10
nays, the largest vote cast by that body on
any measure during the present session,
which fact in itself is indicative of the inter-
est felt in the bill. The Senate will shortly,
tomorrow possibly, take the same action on
the bill that the House did, and no time
will be lost in obtaining for it the guberna-
torial signature
1t was amusing to notice this afternoon
the raid of the half-famished members upon
the State Treasury when it was announced
that the State Treasurer, satisfied with the
mornings work of the House, was ready to
pay installments on the salaries of the men,
bers. The doors of the Treasury having
been opened at last, the remaining days of
the session bid fair to be far more lively, in
a social point Of view, than its past days
have been.
AS agreed upon by the conference COM
mite, the finance bill is substantially the
same as passed by the Senate. Strang's
provision than that countenanced by the
Senate has been incorporated in it. As
sort of gentle "let down" to the Democrats
Of the House, in tue clause requiring the
State Treasurer to make statements of the
'nterest" he receives for the use of the
money, the conference committee added also
the words cor other consideration" The
bill would have been just as strong without
these words ii the House only thought so.
The bill providing for the cutting down of
the salaries of all the officers and en-
ployees of the Senate and House of Rep
| resentatives. the passage of which was in
tended to coin a large amount of political
capital for the economical member from Al
legheny, Mr.. Hayes, and the no less econ
omical but rather more buncombe-loving
WISE of Greene, has come to grief in the
House, and has been consigned to last
resting place by vote of the Honse against
it, and by the mfeeling conduct of Mr..
Christy, of Allegheny, in moving, after its
defeat, to reconsider, which motion, of course,
did not prevail, but eXtinguished entirely
the last Pickering spark of vitality left in
this Wise bill
The House has passed finally the follow
ing acts.
Allowing plaintiffs for damages and mcsne
profits after declaration filed, to obtain ON
trial damages and mesne profits prior to the
filing of the declaration.
Also, empowering camp-meeting associa-
tons to employ police force.
Also, providing for the entry of satislac-
ton of judgments which have been fully
paid by the defendants.
Among the bills which have lately passed
the Senate finally we note the following:
Conierring equity jurisdiction upon the
Courts of Common Pleas in all cases of the
mortgages of the property and franchises by
railroad, canal or navigation companies.
Regulating the passengers fare and freight
rates on railroads not exceeding fifteen miles
in leAgth
Enabling citizens of the United States to
hold and convey title which had been held
by aliens and corporations not authorized by
law to hold the same.
Authorizing Courts to make orders and
dccrees relative to burial grounds and ccme-
teries in incorporated boroughs
The act for the prevention of horses,
cattle, sheep and swine running at large in
the various townships of the Commonwealth
when majority of the voters shall so decide
was defeated, as bills of like import have
been in years gone by.
State Superintendent Wickcrsham is max.
ing extensive preparation for display of tho
Common School interests of the State at tn,
| approaching NtulClllllul al
appropriation of $4,000 for the erection o
a suitable building for this purpose is askeC
of the Legislature The bill providing fo
its app ropriation has passed the Centennia
} Committee unanimously, and the amour
desired will very likely be granted, Tha
amount, however, will not be suilicien
, to erect the building, which is expected t
cost 100. The State Superintendent
therefore about to issue circulars to the Cit
and County Superintendents of the State
the Colleges, Normal Schools, &C., askin
for contributions for this purpose. 1t is in
tended to make this phase of the exhbito
perfect success. Among the features of tn
proposed display will be a primary schoc
in full working order. The other Centen
NAL appropriations asked are in statu quo.