The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-02-25
THE STATE CAPITOL.
HARRISBURG. Feb. %, 1876.

HARRISBURG, FeD. EZ, lo'o'
About the only question over which the
Legislature has been excited during the past
week has been the fixing time for final ad-
iournment Ever since the close OF the iirst
week Of the session the minority party, ac-
tuated by generous love for the Democrats
have been endeavoring, by the introduction
of various resolutions at different inoppor-
tune moments to effect an adjournment.
The Democrats, however, having been
caught in trap last year by following too
blndly whittier the "foxy" Mitchell led,
cautiously determined in an early caucus
that they would regulate the matter OF ad-
journment themselves this year. This was
showing their hands to their opponents at
the beginning of the game, and ever since
the minority, whenever they wished to raise
a little excitement, have been, Haunting their
adjournment resolutions in the faces of the
majority, and said resolutions every time
have had much the same effect as a red
handkerchief exhibited before the eyes of an
irate bull. The last attempt in this direc-
| ton was made on Friday morning by Mr..
Stewart, of Lawrence county. His resolu-
| ton provided for the shutting down on the
| introduction of new business two weeks
hence. An animated debate which lasted
| the entire session Immediately sprung up.
| The resolution, however, was finally defeat
ed. The Democrats, considering that the
session is far enough advanced to make some
move toward adjournment, yesterday called
a caucus which is in session tonight, deliber-
ating on the proprioty of closing the session
within the hundred days. They will not
likely fix any definite time for adjournment,
but will name day after which no new bu-
siness snail be introduced. This will mar
row down the session and they will then en-
deavor to make it conform to the limit of
the hundred days.
70 limit the introduction of new business
at an early date is an eminently wise deter
mination, for the calendars of both houses
already contain enough work to consume
what seems to be considered the legally al
lotted time The house calendars show two
hundred and eighty odd bills, while the SEN
ate work is numbered up to a hundred and
a half. The close of the eighth week of the
session is approaching and but three bills
have been sent to the Governor for his sig
nature, viz the Finance Bill, the act al
lowing Courts to divide cities into wards,
and the act enabling assignees to sell real
estate encumbered with liens. These, how
ever, must not be considered the entire work
Of the session, for a large number of bills
were defeated which are as much portion
of the work as the bills which have passed.
Among the bills pending, attention is CEN
tered principally upon two or three: the
County Salary Bill, giving salaries instead
of fees to county officers; the bill revising
the tax laws of the Commonwealth the
boom bill, and the various appropriation
bills for charitable, centennial and other
purposes.
The country Salary bill and Boom bill
were forced through the Senate under ex-
tremely high pressure in opposition. The
first mentioned bill being very. obnoxious to
certain officials in Philadelphia and the last
mentioned being very detrimental to GER
tain corporation doing business at William
sport. These bills will both be fought fierce
ly in the House. 1t is rumored that it is in
tended to amend the boom bill in the House
under a show of fairness but in reality for
the puprose of sending it back to the Senate
again where, or in conference committee it
is expected 70 die the death.
/
To-day the time-honored custom of read
ing Washington's Farewell Address" was
observed in both branches of the Legislature,
after which the House, satisfied with fixing
two sessions per day, adjourned without
transacting any business. The Senate made
a show of work but adjourned before the usu-
al hour. The day passed here with scarcely
any demonstration. A national salute was
fred at midday by the Arsenal Battery.
| b.