The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-04-14
TIE STATE CAPITOL.
HARRISBURG, April 11th, 1876.

/ ~ JONlHl TstDTtStnttblNt anu u flhu W III
fnitO jest is the Hon ID. p. Rosenmller, Of
Lancaster. and not for an instant did IL resi-
within his breast last week when he offered
a hastily written resolution to investigate
the alleged charges of bribery connected
with the Boom Bill, that he was stirring 9
hornets nest about the ears of his fellow
Representatives and raising a Legislative
row, upon the history of which the changes
would be rung from one end to the other OF
the Commonwealth.
That which had its inception in joke
has proven to be a very serious matter for
certain, at least, of our honorable law-mak-
ers. No sooner had the committee appoint
ed in pursuance of the resolution held one
meeting than it was most evident that there
was rather more in the matter than had at
first been anticipated. Examination of the
members was commenced, taking them in al
phabetical order. This was done. the Commit
tee sitting with open doors A few members
were examined when where there had been
but little smoke the fire began to burn
brightly and it was found necessary to close
the doors of the Committee rooms and her.
metically seal them to the inquisitive repre-
sentatives of the Press. 1t had, however,
already been made public that certain mem
bers had testified that the Hon. Peter Her
die, the chief boomer against the Boom Bill,
had through his representatives at least in
directly made offers of money for dodgers
and voters against the bill, 5000 for a dodge
and S400 for an adverse vote.
Then through the testimony Of Speaker
Patterson the name of Hon. Themas A. Scott
was associated with the bill, rather more as
a peace-maker, however, than anything else,
but it was considered necessary by the Com.
mittee to close its doors.
Since that time the Committee has pur-
sued its duties arduouslv, attempting to keep
its work a strict secret. There have been
leakages, however and some of them of a
rather startling character, and the fun of it
is, the Herdicites are not the only parties
hurt but 10, the other side, the immaculate
Lumbermen, are discovered in the role which
they so virtuously condemned in their or
ponents. The journal clerk of the House
Captain Skinner is called to tie stand and
he testifies that on several occasions GER
tain member from Philadelphia named Pet
rolf who by his actions in general as sup
posed to be a firm friend of Herdic, had
evinced to him an ardent desire to know
what Embick-the chief of the Lunbermen
was willing to do on the boom.
Skinner being a personal friend of En-
bck and as he testifes interested in the
passage of the boom bill, in an official point
of view, desiring to be rid of the trouble
some measure and relieved from keeping its
troublesome and intricate record, recounts
his interviews with Petroff to Embick, at
the same time giving Embick to understand
that Petrof and his crowd were brewing
mischief. He then states that for the pur-
pose of testing this party check for $500
was drawn by Embick and given into Skin
ner's hands. Petroff becoming cognizant
of this fact grew keener than ever and went
so far as to go to a certain bank and inquire
whether or not Embcks check was good
for the above amount. Being satisfied on this
point he was ready for action but, Skinner
becoming convinced of the character of the
man returned the check to Embick, with
the information that Petroff was trying to
play sharp dodge The check was then
and there destroyed by Embick, while Pc
troff was left in statu quo, with a letter
in his own handwriting, asking "what
Embick is willing to do" still remain
ing in SINNERS hands. Said letter is
now one of the valuable possessions of
the committee and Petrotf is non est inven-
tbs; rumored to have gone with Herdic and
Embck to attend Moody and Sankey's mee-
tings in New York.
The committee are still working. Two
sessions were held to day with another in
prospect for to night when it is expected
Treasurer Mackey will testify.
Col. Mcclure of the PhiLa. Times was be-
fore the committee this morning. To the
subject matter of the written formula of
questions he answered no, and when inter-
rogated as to the authorship of the cor
respondence in the Times making specific
charges of bribery, he refused TO answer
stating that he would not do so before a
court of justice and no more would he be-
fore the committee. If the committee saw
fit they might proceed against his paper,
but answer he would not.
1t has been stated on pretty good auth ority
that evidence enough has already been pro-
duced before the committee to send three
persons at least to the Penitentiary. Who
these persons are and wha. their positions
deponent sayeth not.
Sparse sessions of the Senate have been
held during the past week, their calendars
in existence before the first OF April having
been cleared up with a furry, and they re-
naming firm in their refusal to take up new
business. The House has been clearing up
its calendars of bills on third reading Quite
number of printing and appropriation
bills have become laws. d