The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-04-28
THE STATE CAPITOL.
HARRISBURG, April 25th, 1876

30
Last night, amidst a silence and attention
not at all characteristic of the House, the
report of the committee appointed to inves-
tigate the alleged charges of bribery in con-
nection with the ''Boom Bill' was submitted
and read at length. Great expectations
were based upon this report which were by
no means realized. Instead of radical action
recommending the expulsion of certain
members, as Was anticipated, the report was
very conservative, stating merely the facts
brought out by the evidence and shifting
the responsibility of action thereon entirely
upon the shoulders Of the House. a
BY the report cloud is thrown over the
following members and outsiders: ....
The attention Of the House is called to
the conduct of Mr.. Miller, of Philadelp phia,
but the Committee expresses no opinion
upon the same. .....
The Committee is of the opinion that the
conduct of Mr.. Knight, of Bucks, was very
improper. a.,.
That Mr.. Thornton, of Allegheny, ap-
preached both Wise and Buck, members Of
the House in such a manner as to lead them
to suppose that they could obtain valuable
consideration for their votes against the bill.
OF Mr.. Gentner, of Philadelphia, they are
not prepared to say that he was guilty of any
effort to corrupt any of his fellow-members.
That w. 5. Douglass, u member from
Philadelphia, was guilty of conduct unbe-
coming member of the House.
| That evidence was prr'duced before it that
shows that Emile J. Petroff, member OF
! the House from Philadel phia, was guilty OF
| a violation of the 29th section of article OF
| the Constitution in reference to bribery.
| That Martin FlLynott, a member of the
! House from Luzerne county, had also violat-
| ed the same section and article of, the Con-
| stitution.
| The Committee then go on to state that
! although of opinion that their power does
not extend beyond members of the House,
they feel they would not be doing justice to
themselves did they not call attention to the
misconduct of George w. Skinner, Journal
Clerk of the House. a. a5I . ..,. .
| Senator Boyer, jesse G. zimmerman. ex-
member of the House, John b. Beck, of Will
| liamsport, +. +. Embick aud Peter HerdiC
are then each separately arraigDed and
charged with corrupt and improper attempts
10 influence legislation on the bill.
The attention of the House is specially
called to the conduct of Luther Andrews, o
Alba, Bradford county, in sending false tel
egrams 10 the members and calling then
away from their seats on the final passage o
| Tue blil. L ht ItIfOIb iiOStS WIN u iOSuHi
mendation that after the House is done witt
this testimony it be referred TO the Attorne.
General for such action as he may see fit.
, All the members of the Committee excep
. Reyburn signed the report. That gentle
man, however, refusing TO do so because h
Considered the action of the Committee IN
constitutional inasmuch as the parties &C
Cased were not allowed TO confront their &C
cusers or given an opportunity Of deiehdin
themselves. Mr.. Reyburn's dissent finds ID
yor only among the friends of Petrof.
Lynott has few friends, and his ill-time
denial Of the accusation of the Committe
in presence OF the House lastnight has tenc
ed 10 render them fewer. .. ...u lu ....
The House will consider the report whe
printed with the testimony and laid befol
The House. This will possibly be abo,
! Thursday Whether the House will tax
up the responsibility cast upon it by II
; lCpmmittee remains to be seen. .i.- p.
The minority portion of the House lnye
{ tigating Committee into the affairs OF u
Q State Treasury, appointed by the House
Representatives last year, will most like
submit report to the House to-morr9
| morning. This report will substantially d
. nv many of the assertions Of the MAORI
), | report, such as that the Committee was N
allowed admission to his books by the Sta
b Treasurer. will have for its object the col
Y plete yiadication of Treasurer Mackey, al
A will contain at least one very wholesome 7
: commendation, and that is that a law
= passed by the Legislature regulating q
u manner of appointing all committees OF j
yestigati0n. .. .....
Tie bituminous coal mine bill, regulatil
,, mine ventilation, which consumed so mu
: of the time of the House, has been reach
a at last upon the Senate calendar aud is U
' der consideration tonight,
" The House is clearing up its calendi
i very rapidly. All of the bills on first rcadi
and nearly all on the second reading push
a forward 70 await final passage or defeat.
B.