The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-03-22
HARRISBURG LETTER.
Legislative Correspondence.
HARRISBURG, March q. 1873.

HARRISBURG, March Il, 1878.
The prevalence ofinvestigating committees
around the Legislature seems to be having a
salutary effect upon the lower House at least
If we may judge by the number of moral
measures which are being introduced into
that body, noticeable among which are, the
bill to prevent the cremation or burning of
human bodies after death, making this
practice misdemeanor punishable with
900, with imprisonment.
The bill prohibiting the gift or sale of
tobacco TO minors, and the bill making it
| misdemeanor to treat" to intoxicating
drinks. These measures, especially the last
mentioned, provoke considerable amusement
amongst members.
The bill creating State banking depart.
ment has at least passed from the hands Of
the Senate and is now in the House subject
| to the tender mercies of that branch. 1t
passed the Senate by one of a majority, one
Democrat voting for it, Senator Bussey Of
York.
| The Philadelphia Recorders bill, has left
the House and has passed first reading in
the Senate.
One of the most warmly contested bills
in the House during this session has been
the one prohibiting the opening of places
of amusement On Sunday, in cases where a
fee for admission is charged. As before
stated this bill was intended to close up the
Geological in Philadelphia on Sunday but
when it was introduced petitions in favor
of its passage poured in from all parts of the
State. The Philadelphia members made a
dead sei:against it, and finally on Monday
night succeeded in killing it, after consider
able filibusering on part of friends to pre-
vent its consideration, it was pressed to a
vote and defeated by 7S nays to Sc yeas, which
disposes of the bill finally as it had previously
been once reconsdered and cannot be again
brought up.
Another measure which received its quietus
on Monday night was the bill requiring engi-
neers of steam engines and boilers to take out
license Defeat is the common fate of bills
on final passage which are considered in the
l
Monday night
, Yesterday two impor'art measures were
passed finally by the House
| The new County bill received 151 yeas t.
20 nays aud was sent to the Senate. Thi
measure is not general bill but is intended
, to divide Luzerne County and make tn,
new County Of Lackawauna. The friend
of the bill are jubiant.
q The bill to prevent the taking and charg
T ing more than legal rate of interest wa
this year especially champicned by Speake
q Myer. On its final passage yesterday, Os
q burne Of Philadelphia attempted. but failet
+ to have proviso exempting Building As
sociatons inserted. The yeas and nays wer
called on the final passage of the bill an,
appeared to have resulted favorably. Ger
tain members demanded at this point tha
4 their names should be recorded or correction
to be made in the manner in which they ha
e been recorded which corrections would hav
changed the result, the Speaker refused t
4 allow any such changes and so the bill wa
Il declared passed in the midst of great excite
ment and uproar in the House.
IS The senate investigating committee in tn
n corporation tax case, resumed its sitting
: on Saturday last. Sessions were also hel
to day. The only new fact latel
h developed is that in addition to the $500
/. fee paid to Simonton and Olmstead, by tn
state, the Attorney General received a fe
). of IS, 900 in the case from the company i
v the nature ofthe 8 per cent allowed that Of
:. ficer for collections of money due the com
4 monwealth.
4 The death of Senator Nsgle of Philadel
4 phia, which has cast a sadness over the mem
bers, has also prevented the Senate fror
J. doing much work this week. The Hall @
the Senate is draped in mourning.
The Democratic State Committee whic
met here yesterday, has fixed Pittsburgh q
n the place, aud May 22nd as the time for tn
next State Convention.