The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-02-23
OUR HARRISBURG LETTER.
HARRISBURG, February 81, 1877.

On Friday last when the legislature ad-
journed over until Wednesday the members
Immediately scattered in all directions, some
to their homes, some to Washington and
some TO Morganzs. But few remained 10
Harrisburg. There was much opposition to
this adjournment, but the great desire of
many of the members to be at home during
the elections prevailed over other conaidera-
tions. Those who did not take a special
interest in the elections took trip to Wash
ington to see how tho High Join. Commis-
sion were getting along or joined the legis-
lative excursion to visit the Reform School
at Mofganza near Httsbarg. This fnstisu.
ton is applying for the neat Ii tie appropria
ton ofSs2,000 from the State, and the seese
that lay the golden eggs for such Institutions
were invited to pay visit 10 the school.
roothsome viaads were spread before the
visitors and every thing was made a. pleas
ant for them as possible by the board oi
managers, which latter will be much dis-
appointed if they do not receive a handsome
sourenier of this visit of our Solons at no
very distant day.
p About 600 bills have been introduced up
to this dale in the Senate and House as yet
but few have been disposed of and it is diff
cult in view OF this fact To see how the iegs-
lature can adjourn by the 18th day of March,
~ provided for by resolution adopted by
the House, without letting a large numbe r
of bills, some Of them very important ones,
lie over until next session 1t is prob able
therefore that the resolution will be recon-
sidered.
Another stay law providing for q stay Of
execution in certain cases has been introduce
ed in the House and passed second reading.
1t provides for q stay of one year in all cases
where real or personal property offered at
Sheriff. sale is not bidaen up to two thirds
of its value-the value being fixed by jury
appointed by the Sheriff for that purpose.
The friends and opponents Of this bill seem
to be pretty evenly matched and its fate is
doubtful. The former assert that the time.
arc so out of joint that some measure of thi.
sort is imperatively needed to protect the
embarrassed debtor and save his land. and
goods from being seized and sold for song
| by his rapacious creditors. The latter, in
return, assert that there are poor creditor.
who need protection as well as poor debtors
| that it is a mistake to assume that the credi.
tor is always rich and the debtor poor. There
will be warm fight over this bill when i,
come. up for final passage. 1t will be sup.
ported by all the friends Of the stay law
which was defeated in the House by small
majority, and by several who were opposed
to this last mentioned bill, but it is not safe
to predict that it will command the 101
votes necessary to pass it.
The bill for the improvement of the Ohio
river which was defeated on Friday of Ias
week has been reconsidered and again placed
upon the calender of the House. 1t is frs
upon the list and may be reached to-day.
provides for a system Of slackwater naviga
ton on the Ohio river, the principal featur,
of which is a dam in the river miles below
Pittsburg. The bill seems to be favored b,
nearly all the business interests Of fittsburl
and the western counties except the larg
coal operators.-These last are bitterly op
posed to it and one ssing every effort to de
feat it, A number oi them are here no,
button-hcl3iSg Aenbers and trying to brin
them ever co their view of the question.
am not able to say whether they are usin
anything more powerful than moral suasio
but they seem to be making converts.
| Judging from the petitions upon the sui
ject that still come pouring in, the people q
the State continue to be much agitated upo
the local option question. Latterly, by Wa
Of variety, a petition against the bill is OF
casionally psented. The bill is now numb,
one upon the first reading calendar Of th
House and has been staved of several tim,
by motions to adjourn, calling of the yea
and nays and other devices to consume tim
Members seem afraid to meet the issl
squarcly and it is impossible to tell how lor
this fillibustering, will be kept up. The O.
ject is to place the bill so far down upon II
second reading calendar that it cannot
reached this session. Its friends are actiy
but am inclined TO think that its enemi
, are in the majority.