The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-03-17
THE STATE CAPITOL.
HARRISBURG, March IA, 1876.

iihhhiebthpt AhpiNh iN'N'
During the session of last night as usual,
several "apples of discord" were cast upon
the taps. First aud foremost among these
was a resolution offered by Mr.. Foster of
Schuylkill, instructing Congress to present
medal or some other mark of distinction
to the five military companies of Pennsylva-
MIA who first responded to the call for troops
IN the late war Two companies from Potts
vile, one from Reading, one from Allen
town, and one from Lewistown were named.
The resolution was adopted, and no sooner
was the House adjourned than indications
were manifested that this resolution is likely
to excite no little jealousy among the vcter-
an soldiery of the Commonwealth.
Your readers will recollect that last year
grave charges were made against corpora
ton formerly styled "The Laurel Run I'm
provement Company" but at present doing
business under the name of "The Reading
Coal and Iron Co." A committee of inves-
tigation into the condition of the affairs of
this company was appointed, which commit
tee, after working arduously all summer at
Cape May, succeeded in making up report
which didn't mean very much and which on
its presentation to the present Legislature
caused scarcely ripple. Last night Mr..
Jameson, of Bucks county, again disturbed
the equanimity of this company, which has
been resting in fancied security, by introduce
ing Il bill which in summary manner au-
thorizes the Governor to appoint five disin-
terested persons in whom shall be vested all
the property, real and personal, of the
Reading Coal and Iron Company" these
persons to be known as the board of recev-
erS of this company. They are to give such
security as the court of common pleas of
Dauphin county shall fix. These receivers
having sold the property and effects of said
company and having marshalled the assets
shall apply the same to the payment of the
debts Of said company, and the balance of
the money to and among the stockholders
therein pro rata according to the number of
shares held by each. Now eve shall see
what we shall seq in regard to this move
mcnt.
The bituminous coal mine ventilation bill
has not yet been rescued from the clutches
of the House. Nearly the whole of to-day
was passed in its consideration. Amend
ments without number were showered upon
it, and to cap the climax of its troubles a
bitter partizan fight sprang up upon the
question of the appointing power to be nam
nI Il, t1,o LIN nina
Governor alone was first mentioned, but it
was deemed by the Democrats rather an un-
safe proceeding, so they determined that the
Secretary of Internal Aiiairs-at present
Democrat-should be associated with the
Governor in the making of these appoint
ments. So bitter grew the fight that for
little while this morning the fate of the bill
was very uncertain. The amendment, how
ever, was finally inserted. The bill now
awaits the final action of the House.
Quite little stir was made o.day by the
refusal of Speaker Patterson to place his
name to Senate bill because the Speaker
of the Senate had first placed his there Mr..
Patterson claiming that according to parlia-
mentary usage the name OF the House
Speaker should appear first. When the ac-
ton of Mr.. Patterson was announced to the
Senate it was met with storm of indigna-
ton. The Speaker of the House was de-
nounced for his action. and there was some
wild talk of compelling him by the courts
to aflix his signature to the bill. In the af-
ternoon Speaker Patterson placed his name
to the bill, but before that of.the Speaker of
Senate. The matter will probable rest just
where it is. Certainly no further notice
should be taken of it.
Hon. j. w. Forney is delivering his ad
dress on His.Centennial Experience in Eu-
rope" before crowded audience in the Hall
of Representatives tonight