The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-01-28
Harrisburg Letter.

Recovering promptly from the effects of
the Governors Inauguration, both branches
of the Legislature during last week accom-
plished something Of legislation.
The mooted question of the increase of sal
aries for judges, agitated again this year, has
probably received final quash by the action
of the lower House in adopting an amend
ment to the Supreme Judges bill, settling
the salary Of the Chief Justice at ~ 800 and
of the Associate Justices at $1,000. AS this
bill was considered to be the ''entering
wedge for the introduction Of last years
country judge bill, its notification has dis
posed Of the last named measure as we'll.
The last expiring efforts ofthe friends of an in
crease of salaries were witnessed in the House
this morning. An attempt was made by Mr..
Smith, of Chester, to give to the Supreme
Judges, in addition to the salaries named in
the adopted amendment, a mileage of twen-
ty cents per mile. This proposition was dis
agreed to, and although the House adjourn
ed without vote on the second reading of
the bill, it will undoubtedly pass that read
ing, and finally.
The finance bill, so called, having for its
object the diversion of certain of the reve-
nues of the Sinking Fund into the general
revenue fund has been well advanced toward
final passage, its third reading in the House
without further amendment having been
compassed this morning.
Another amendment to the bill, however,
is urged before it becomes law. The bill
requires the State Treasurer to make a
monthly statement of the banks, &C., with
whom the money of the Sinking Fund is de-
posted, and the interest paid for the use of
the same. The amendment proposed has
for its object the expansion of the word in
terest so as to include premium, bonus or
any other consideration for the use of the
money. An attempt will possibly be made
to insert this amendment when the bill
comes up for consideration in the Senate.
Among the other bills which passed the
House finally this morning, may be noted
one giving to assignees for the benefit of
creditors the power TO sell real estate encum-
bered with liens,-wherc personal property
will not cover the debts-in such manner
that good title may be secured to the pur-
chaser.
The measure increasing the pay of arbi-
traitors to 50 per day has met with the fate
of its compeer last year, gone to meet the
judges salary bill.
The Senate is progressing in its usual
grave and reverend manner The monotony
of steady work is, however, occasionally bro
ken by well-pointed witticsm ON the part
of the Hon. Horatio Gaber Jones, Philadel-
phias superb Senator, or the irrepressible
Wood, Of Allegheny, which gentlemen are
acknowledged wags of the Senate. Senator
Woods latest is resolution returning the
thanks of the Senate to the "Ground Hog"
for the able and efficient manner in which
he has assisted cold Probabilities" in taking
care of the weather; also, making "Ground
Hog Day" legal holiday. The offering OF
such resolution as this may be deemed a
useless waste of time, but Mr.. Woods object
in Offering it was that he might be afforded
an opportunity of giving his opinion at fu-
ture time upon the deplorable habit which
the members of the House have fallen into
of Offering absurd resolutions on every occa-
sion. Speaking OF resolutions of this kind
recalls to my mind the very poor attempt
at joke made by Mr.. Losch, member from
Schuylkill last night in Offering a resolu-
tion of censure upon Congressman Stringer,
Coch ran and others for their late action in
regard to the Centennial bill, and providing
for the purchase of "leather medal and tin
whistle for their personal use. Such resolu-
tions as this may do for boys debating So
ciety, but seem to me in very bad taste for
the aw-making power Of great Common
weath like Pennsylvania. N.