The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-01-12
OUR HARRISBURG LETTER.
HARRISBURG, January Q, 1877.

HARRISBURG, January 0, 1877.
This evening at 7.3O the Legislature re-
assembled after their holiday of nearly
week. 1t was expected that the standing
committees ofthe House would be announce
ed to-day, but owing to the Speakers neces.
sarily limited acquaintance with many of
the new members, he concluded to give the
subject still further consideration. There
are plenty of wiseacres who profe0O know
all about the matter, but as we do not think
1t safe to accept their prognosticatit n, we
will await thei official announcement. Until
this is made, all business is in allegiance, the
two Houses meeting only to adjourn over
until the important matter is settled.
1t is rumored that one of the first items on
the programme will be a resolution on the
Presidential! muddle, intended to strengthen
the hands of Secretary of War Cameron and
the Republican Senators and Representa-.
tiyes at Washington. The Democrats have
been putting their heads together to fix up
on some concerted action, should such u res
olution be Introduced but as yet have de-
termined upon nothing. So far but little in
terest seems to be manifested by our Solons
in regard to national affairs, but if Madam
Rumor tells the truth, and the matter
should be formally introduced in the Legs-
lature, the smouldering fires on both sides
will be stirred up, and some fierce explo-
| sions will undoubtedly follow.
The ADVOCATES of Local Option are NOV
ing vigorously in support of their project ana
are evidently in dead earnest. They held
meeting in this city to-day, and determir ed
| upon forward movement along the whole
line. Lecturers are to be sent out over the
State to work up the local option interest,
to appoint committees, and circulate petit
tions among the people, praying for the re.
enactment of the local option law. Minis.
| ters of all denominations were invited to
cooperate in the movement, oy preaching
to their people and urging them to stir
| themselves in favor of ten perancc. 1t was
also decided to hold a convention here in
the latter part OF January, and bring all
| possible pressure to bear upon the legsla-
ture at that time. The bill that they pro-
pose is essentially the old local option law
repealed in 1875.
Quite little breeze wac created day or
two ago. by a decision of Attorney General
Lear in regard to the pay OF the Assistant
Sergeant ga Arms of the old House, who
considered their presence necessary at the
| organization OF the new House ON the I'd
inst As has been customary, year after
year. the old officials and employees rallied
| to the last man to give the Legislature of
II good start, and also to pick up few
| crumbs in the shape of ten days extra pay.
The Attorney General however, cruelty sat
down upon the pretensions of dozen or
more Assistant Sergeants at-Arms, by decide
ing that they had no legal claim to the lit
tie "divvy" npon which they had counted.
This bombshell exploded among them with
terrific force, and more dis pirited and de-
moralized looking set of men we have not
seen for many day.
Some of the members who spent the re-
cent vacation in Philadelphia looked little
worn and battered when they Aocked back
to Harrisburg yesterday and to-day. 1t was
evident that the seductions of the sinful city
on the Delaware had proved too much for
them. The comely ballet girls of the Casino
the wines and suppeIs, ;he little game of
draw, ana other attractive etceteras of leg
i,ative raid upon Philadelphia had com
pletely shattered the nerves of II goody
number. 1t is unfortunate for the State that
men Of this stamp continue to have them
selves sent to the Legislature. The evil is
not confined to either party. These men
mainly comprise the element that is respon-
sible for unwise legislation, bribery and cor
ruption. Many of them are well known,
some are only hinted at in public, and some
there be who enjoy reputation for honesty
who are known by those who share the
crets of the lobby to be open to conviction
when the bait is sufficiently gilded. They
are very sly and cunning in covering up
their tracks, Like the eel, they bite best
when the night is darkest, but let them be
ever 50 wary, a ray of light will sometimes
steal in and betray them. Every year the
standard of the average legislator has been
decreasing. Let IL, hope the present body
will be an improvement and that henceforth
the scale will have an upward tendency.