The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-03-27
ouR n-AsRussuRe LErrER
BARRrsBuRa, Mar. 90. 1878.

moioi 0Cooutcc III 40 Woih 10 NV
criterion to judge BY. One trouble
with these moral measures, however,
10 that after they are introduced they
are either forgotten or lost in the vo-
luminous 6Ies, or if they chance to
rise tc the surface of legislation they
are most summararily disposed OF.
As your readers have already been
informed we have anti-cremation,
antitreating and anti-tobacco bills,
oil of which will without much doubt,
when the proper time comes, go to
meet the ill-fated Local Option bill.
One of the most warmly contested
bills in the House this session has
been the n prohibiting all shows
and exhibitions on the Sabbath day,
10 cases where q fee for admission is
charged. As before stated this bill
was primarily intended to close the
Philadelphia Geological Gardens on
Sunday, but when it was introduced,
petitions 10 favor of its passage pour
ed into the leg stature from oil parts
VI TIC ckott.
The Philadelphia delegation how
ever were almost unanimously op-
posed to its passage, aud finally on
last Monday night they succeeded 10
killing the bill. After considerable
flibustering on the part Of its friends
to prevent its present consideration it
was pressed to a vote and defeat
ed by 4S Nays to Sc Yeas.
Another measure which received
its quietus on Monday night, was
the bill requiring engineers of steam
engines and boilers to take out a IL
cense before entering upon o dis
charge of their business. 1t stood
first upon the calendar and had con
sequentlY to be disposed Of to reach
the Sunday bill above referred to,
and it was disposed of by a vote that
was many names short of a coDstitu-
tional majority. Defeat is the com.
mon fate of bills on final passage
which are considered in the slim
Houses which are alw avs to be ex-
pected on a Monday night. The en-
gineer bill has been placed upon the
calendar again.
On Tuesday the bill which is in
tended to divide the county of Luz
zerne and form q new county-atter
much tribulation on part of its friends
passed the lower House by the deci-
sive vote of Isl yeas to 30 nays. The
Scrantonians with joy in their hearts
have transferred their attentions
from the House to the Senate.
The bill to prevent the taking or
charging of more than the legal rate
Of interest was this year especially
chsmpioned by Speaker Myer. On
its final passage on Tuesday, Mr..
Osbourne of Philadelphia attempted
but failed to have q proviso exempt
ing Building Associations from its
provisions inserted in the bill The
Yeas and Nays were called on the
final passage of the bill and seemed
to have resulted fsvorabIy. Certain
members demanded at this point that
their names should be recorded or
corrections be made in the manner
in which they had been recorded,
which corrections would have chang
ed the result. The Speaker refused
to allow any such changes and so
the bill was declared passed in the
midst of great excitement and up.
roar in the House.
Legislative Investigations are be.
coming varied in character and wide
in scope. Yesterday 10 both Senate
and House the fever of investigation
was high. Senator Fisher introduce
ed a resolution providing that the
Senate Finance Committee be intro
duced to inquire whether or not the
Department Of Internal affairs, (Gen-
eral McCanless' ofice) can dispense
with any Of the Clerks for whom no
work can be found, and to report
what legal action is necessary to re-.
duce the expenses of that depart
ment. Then comes Senator Dill of
Union, promptly to the rescue with
sn amendment to include the other
State departments in the investiga-
ton. And now we may look for a
cracking of skulls" and a general
shaking amongst the dry bones.
liz the House Judge Walter of
Wayne county, to be in the fashion.
sent 10 his petition to be investigated.
He wants certain charges, made
against his personal and Official in
tegrity, inquired into. Certain per-
son on the other hand want the
Judge ~impeaehed aud now they have
the whole matter before the Judicia-
~ Committee.
The Senate Committee CT investi-
cation in the Uuion Line tax ease
have been holding periodical SEES.
sions during the week. All the
State officers connected with the ac-
counting department tage been ex-
amined, rs we'll as the president OF
the Union Railroad and t~ransporta-
ton Company. The only new fact
lately developed is that in addition
to the $40. 600 fee paid to Simonton
and Olmstead by the State the At
torney General received a fee of
$4,000 in the same case, from the
company in the nature Of the 5 per
cent. allowed or claimed to be allow
ed that officer for collections # mon
ey due the Commonwealth.
The death Of Senator Maggie of
Philadelphia has created a heartfelt
sorrow amongst his colleagues. The
hall Of the Senate is draped in mourn
ing and that b dy will attend his fu-
neral en- masse on Monday.
The Democratic State Committee
which met here on Tuesday has FIX
ed Pittsburg as the place aud May
22nd as the time for holding the next
convention.
b.
The Growing heat Crep.