The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1878-01-26
Hon. W. M. RAPsHER,s SPEECH

On the adoption Of the report of the Com
mittee of Conference in relation to taking
up the unfinished business at the session of
1877:
On the adoption of the report:
Mr.. Morgan (Lawrence). I move, Mr..
Speaker, the indefinite postponement of this
subject.
The question being,
On the motion of the gentleman from
Lawrence Mr.. Morganl.
Mr.. Morgan-Sir, have been taught to
believe that it is possible, or within our
power to do right underany and all circum-
stances, not always possible, perhaps, to re
dress or repair the evils ofpast wrong-doing,
but from present light to do right in future,
but must confess
Mr.. HUM. Will the gentleman from
Lawrence Mr.. Morganl give way until I
make short statement in this connection.
The gentleman ffom Carbon Mr.. Rapsherl
had the floor at the termination ofthe debate
on the question. That gentleman has pre-
pared what is considered by those who have
seen it an able argument upon this question.
He is necessarily absent tonight upon
legal business. This manuscript merely
makes continuation of his speech, and l
would like TO have it printed in the Record
or read to the House.
Mr.. Potts. l move that it be read!
Mr.. Sherwood (Northumberland) That
is a novel idea, to present speeches here by
proXy'
Mr.. HUM. 1t is a courtesy which has
always been accorded on such occasions.
The question being
On the motion of the gentleman from
schuylkill [AIr. Pottsl
1t was agreed to.
Thercmarks ofthe gertlemon from Carbon
[Mr, Ropsherl were accordingly read by the
Clerk, as follows
Mr.. Rapsher. Mr.. Speaker, this is the
third time that rise to flnisha few remarks
upon the question of taking up the business
OF the House. After l was fairly started the
first time, the Senate entered TO assist in
counting the votes and officially declare the
result of the last election for State officers,
and the Second time tile hour of ofadiournment
cut me off l have already said that, under
the peculiar circumstances which we now
find ourselves, have concluded that as
matter of public policy, economy and ex-
pedicncy, l would vote to sustain the report
Of tho now norn ", ttaa 1,-L ;, ;s ,,o, H. -, go.
The report is unanimous, and in order to
save time and revenue, all doubts with
which the question is somewhat enshrouded,
and get at the business which is before us,
feel it my duty to say that in my judgment,
the House had better accept the report Two
weeks time, at the rate of about three
thousand dollars per day, have already been
wasted upon this matter, and if the House
should not adopt the report of its committee;
it would be difficult to tell when the legisla-
ton Of the session would begin. 4 House
divided against itself can not stand. That is
our position, while the Senate is nearly
unanimous.
My reasons for taking the position which
/ do, are briefly these
lst. 1t is public policy and for the public
good that the two branches of the Legisla-
ture should be in harmony with each other.
End The precedent las far as it goes es-
tablished in 1876, is against taking up un-
finished business.
Sd. This is the last year in which this
question can arise, and whichever way it is
decided it will be Of no future consequence.
4th. Because the new Constitution is very
vague and indefinite upon this question, and
the best legal minds do not agree upon
whether it would or would not be constim-
tional to begin where we left or; hence, to
remove all doubt and cavil, we had better
begin dc nouo.
5th. The responsibility, if there be any,
will rest upon the Senate, because the House
did its full duty TO 60 on with the unfinished
business where it left Off in March, 1877.
9th. Because l do not believe that the
people of the Commonwealth want a dead
lock between the Senate and the House upon
this question, and thereby hinder and delay
all business, no one can tall how long