New-York tribune., 1876-01-05
STATE LEGISLATURES.

II NEW Oh AN ADJObhNi>b piS'''iC-''
I THE QUESTION OF THE HOUR AT HARRISBURG STILL
IN TIE cLoUDs-THE SENATE BEGIy ANEw-THE
HOUSE THINK OF so DOING But DoTr-HAEr-
RANFI's SHOT AT TIE RINGS.
fDr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUIR1
HARRISBURG, Penn, Jan. 4.-The pennsylvania
Legislature began to-day what is called by the new
Constitution ian adjourned annual session" just
what the nature of the session is remains an open
question. The Senate, acting Its resolution OF
last March, held it to be an annual session like those
held under the old Constitution, and proceeded to
organize aud start legislation afresh. J.. w. Davis
of Philadelphia was chosen Speaker pro tenn by the
solid Republican vote the Democrats supporting Mr..
Dill. The old Chief Clerk and nearly all the other
officers were reelected. In the House there was an
evident disposition TO recede from the position in
opposition to the Senate taken Mt last session. and TO
agree with that body in considering all the old IN
! finished business as dead. If a vote had been taken
this would all appearances have been the decision,
but the arrival of the Governors message cut oil de-
bate upon the question and threw it over until to-
| morrow.
| The present session is an abnormal one in GER
tain sense. Ii belongs to a transition period, when
the machinery Of legislation is in process Of being
remodclcd. BY the new Constitution, instead of
annual sessions, with members Of the House elected
| every year and one-third of the Senators chosen
every year for terms of three years there to be
biennial sessions after 1873. with representatives
elected for two years, and half of tho Senators
chosen at the elections to four years. To
work up TO the system gradually, the Constitu-
tiOn provided for the election of eleven new Sem
ators last Fall, TO fill vacancies occurring under the
old system, and authorized adjourned annual ses-
sons until 1873. The ablest lawyers disagree
as to whether this is an adjourned session
ind fxva1 tar
published to-day holds that it is last years session
prolonged ard that consequently business must be
resumed where it was left at the adjournment
Ex-senator Buckalcw, who was an active member
Of the Constitutional Convention takes opposite
ground He contends, in a letter to Senator Allen
that the session agrees in character with annual
sessions under the old constitution, except so far
the organization Of the two houses is concerned
"That bills and resolutions pending in the Legisla-
turc shall fail with adjournment" he says, is
necessary result of the principle, that the assent of
all branches and divisions Of the making power
10 the enactment Of q law shall be cotempOTane-
uusp
As both the eminent authorities who have been
cited agreed that there was no occasion for the
House organizing anew, the Democrats who control
that body decided in their caucus to leave the old
officers undisturbcd. When the House met, there
fore n went 10 Work JUST as III the auJouIuiebL ndu
been for a day or two instead of for nine months
There was not even roll call No legislation was
attempted however. The proceedings consisted only
OF the passage of certain pro Jormd resolutions, and
IF concurrent resolution relating TO the inaugura-
ion of The Governor the 18th. In the Senate
the question of reorganization was made party
one. Tho Republicans insisted upon the nee, ssty
# elcctng the officers of the body anow and the
Democrats maintained that the old officers held
over In the House. however. parties are divided as
10 the status of tho unfinished legislation of last
session. A consideration of expcdiency viii proba-
bly turn tho scale by resolving the doubts of men,
bcfs whO do not pretend to comprehend the consti-
tuional question involved. They will prefer to be
gin bus.u,,, anew rather than quarrel with the SEN
ate aud risk "a deadlock.
The portion Of Gov. Ilartranfts message relating
70 corruption and extravaganza in municipal gov
ernmcnts is regarded direct blow al the Rings
IN Philadelphia and Fitt,bnrgh, and an indication
that he oycr0oks their services IN twice electing
him. and means to organize an attack upon them in.
the Legislature If he should do the people would
forget aud forgive his apparent conntcnauce of the
plundcrers who have brought the two great cities
the Commonwealth 10 the verge OF bankruptcy, aud
hc would become al once the most popular man in
Pennsylvania.
lIosaJsl4c ~ G1U HIfrinrs NsfJs rec Thiri PIye .