The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-02-08
HARRISBURG LETTER.
Legislative Correspondence.


Five weeks have now elapsed since the
Legislature met and although there has been
good deal of hard work but little of perma-
nent good has been accomplished. Now,
more than ever, it is apparent that much
valuable time has been wasted by not taking
up the old calendar and completing unfn-
ished business. Nearly two thirds of the
bills on that calendar have been re-introduc-
ed during the present session and will have
to be ground over again in the legislative
mill. Many of these had advanced to third
reading and could have been finally disposed
OF in n very short time, while under the
present arrangement some of them will not
be reached at all. If members keep on in
Producing bills at the rate they are doing
there will be about 800 bills on the calen-
dar before the Legislature adjourns. 1t is
safe to say that three.fourths of these will
never be acted upon for want of time. In
fact the glory of introducing a bill and see
ing their names in print the next day is all
some statesmen seem to care about. What
becomes of the bill afterward is comparative
| ly Of little moment.
The Free Pipe line bill, though defeated
in the Senate, is not yet given up by its
friends. 1t seems to be considered, both by
its advocates and opponents, to be the most
| important in its bearings of any measure
that has been introduced in the Legislature
for years When it was defeated in the SEN
| ate by vote of 10 to "a it was generally
| supposed to have received its death blow,
and its friends were very much discouraged
The same bill, however has been introduced
in the House and an examination of parla-
meptary authorities reveals the fact that if
the House pass the bill the Senate can con
slider it again, in which case its friends hope
to effect enough changes in the votes of Sen-
ators to pass it.
Some curious and interesting facts have
been developed in regard to the Standard
| Oil Co., of which Jay Gould and VIM. III.
Vanderbilt are said to be the principal stock
holders, and the effect it has produced since
it became power in the oil business From
the year 1869 to 1872 $50, 900, 900 gallons of
refined oil were exported to Europe at an
average price of 81 cents a gallon, bringing
| in round numbers the sum of SlS7 900, 900.
After the Standard obtained control of the
business in 1872, the exports from the latter
date to 1876 were ,l00,O 600, 900 gallons at an
average price of IS cents a gallon, amount.
ing to $lG5, 900, 900, or S22, 600 600 less than
the first four years, although the amount ex-
! II.1 4
that they were compelled to double their la
Dor and expense to produce the increased
amount but were defrauded out of a fair
price for it by the power of the monopoly
1t is now ascertained that the Standard has
leased or bought the right of way over fifty
miles of territory encircling the city of Pitts
burg, and have secured a complete Gordon Of
territory surrounding the whole Bradford
oil district, thus preventing the laying of
any rival pipe lines out of this district or
into the city of Pittsburg They now refuse
to run the oil of the Bradford operators,
whose tanks are overhowing on the ground
SO that they may crush them out and buy up
for song the whole producing interest, just
|
interests.
The evening of Tuesday, Feb, -, has
been set apart for the consideration of the
local option bill in the House This order
was merely adopted out of courtesy to the
friends of the measure and is no indication
of the strength of the bill. In fact it has no
strength with the present Legislature and if
necessary its opponents can command two.
thirds vote against it. This is well known
by its supporters, but they are plucky set
of fellows and seem determined to offer bat
tie upon all occasions, no matter what the
odds may be against them.
The committee appointed to investigate
the Pittsburg riots seem to be perfectly sat
isfactory to the Allegheny delegation and
will visit the scene of their labors in few
days.
After long and spirited fight the resolu-
ton to appoint special committee to inves-
| tigate alleged frauds in the Agnew rs. Has
let contested election case was adopted and
the committee appointed. They will go to
Forest county, probably next week, and be-
gin the investigation.
The House is holding two sessions day
this week, morning and afternoon, and the
Senate has adopted resolution providing
for two sessions on Wednesdays and Thurs
days until further ordered. Both Houses
will adjourn over from the 10Th to the 2Oth
instant so as to allow members to be at
home on election day.
b.