The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-05-12
THE STATE CAPITOL.
HARRIsBURo, May 6, 1876.

The much abused and little appreciated !,
the notorious, yet after all partly fair-good
as the average at last-legislature OF 1870
1876, has at least given up the ghost IL
died with the stroke of noon yesterday, and
"boom boom !" the same words into which
its infant wall sharped itself, were waited
forth with its dying breath.
The body which adjourned sine die yester-
day, the first legislature working under the
new constitution of the state, was an exper-
iment, and as such was subjected to keener
scrutiny and harsher criticism than any OF
its predecessors. The work marked out for
it was of the most dtlicult kind, and close
observer free from partisan prejudice VIII
scarcely fail to see that this work was per-
formed rs well as concomitant circumstances
would admit. Many vexatious measures
were introduced, stirring up strife and CON
tention. which attracted public attention
more than usal to the inside workings of the
legislature, most noted among which was
the ar-famed "boom bill"
| To recount faithfully and detail the march
es and countermarches, flank movements
| and varied manoeuvres of the advocates and
| op onent of this measure would I'LL a vol.
| ume. which to the careful reader would
| prove a strange record of legislative action
| at once anomalous, ridiculous and grave
| During the early weeks of the session we lind
the house weared with continued vexatious
| controversy on the bill. Twin lobbies work
| ing ardently for and against its passage tc
the detrment of other and more important
businesss, until its final passage was an es'
tablished fact.
| A sigh of relief followed in the wake of its
departure, when a playful member to crown
a spree, explodes mine by the introduc'
ton of resolution of investigation which
led to the expulsion of two members OF the
house, and to the beclouding of the reputa
tions of Others, endangering the fate OF the
bill. which was saved only by dread feal
falling on the majority of the senate that il
they refused to sign the bill and send it tc
the governor, and seconded the action OF the
house investigating committee, that the
lightning engendered in such storm might
strike many towering forms among them.
The closing scenes yesterday were OF the
usual interesting character, varied by the
presentation of a message from the governor
vetoing sections in the appropriation bill
for paving of expenses to Morganza treasury
and Philadelphia House of Refuge investl
eating committee, on the constitutions
ground that the expense were in Cured with
out previous authority of law.
The following testimonials were given:
i Speaker Patterson, handsome gold watch
and chain, from his friends. Presented by
Mr.. Spang. -,
George d. Herbert, reading clerk, a sill
YER service from his democratic friends
Presented by Mr.. Faunce. A gold headec
cane, from his republican friends. Presen
ted by Mr.. Morgan, of Lawrence.
From the pages of the house to Majo
M'Conkey, resident clerk, silver berry disl
Presented by Mr.. Plummer.
From the pages of the house to Adam
| Woolever, chief clerk, combined card re
ceived and flower stand. Presented by Mr.
| Plummer.
From the speaker Of the house to the SAINT
a handsome gold headed cane. Presented
by Mr.. Mitchell.
Senator Davis, President pro tenn. of thu
Senate, received costly gold watch from
the members of the Senate and Chief Clerl
Errett silver berry dish from the Senat'
| Librarian.
| Lieutenant Governor Latta was presented
yesterday at the Capitol with an elegant anC
costly silver tea set, consisting of nine pieces
and an ice pitcher, salver, slop bowl, goblet
cake basket, baking dish and pickle jar, a
token of the esteem in which the member
of the Senate hold him as presiding office
of that body.
The work of both houses this session com
prises one hundred and seventy-two bills
of these seventy up to the present time hav'
been signed by the Governor
The following statement shows the appro
priations made by separate bills for the va
rous benevolent and special purposes indi
Gated: