The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-05-07
Harrisburg Letter.
HARRIsBURG, May 2, 1879.

ED. hEPUBL1CAN:- -
In the House, The
General Appropriation Bill, one ofthC
important measures for which the Leg.
islature was called togother, has
passed finally.
The Revenue Bill has received some
consideration. One Of its provisions
Is tax on Limited Partnerships
about the same as that on corporations
doing like business. This is to meet
those corporations that are going out
of existence and organizing under the
Limited Partnership act to escape tax
alton. Other sections provide for q
tax on oil Of 10 cents per bbl. Rep.
resentatiyes from the Northwestern
counties hope to defeat this, but find
themselves met by many oil pro.
ducers urging instead q Rig Tax of
$1,000 or more, which is so manifestly
unjust that their efforts are greatly
hampered by the actions of their con.
stituents. Anti.discrimination has
also been under discussion, and goes
over until next week.
Wednesday afternoon, resolution
came from the Senate to the House
instrucliug our U. S. Senators and
Representatives to sustain the Presi.
dent in his veto Of the Army Appro-
priation Bill with its political riders.
1t raised quite breeze for the time
being. Two of the Greenbackers voted
for the resolution and the remainder
with the Democrats. The resolution
carried Of course, and no doubt Sena.
tor Wallace will straightway obey the
instructions.
The most absorbing topic just now
is the evidence brought out before the
committee appointed to investigate the
means used to influence votes in favor
Of the Riot Bill. The committee was
DIR. Gatchell, Doyle, Rhodes, Wolfe
and Elliott. The first three named
having supported the Bill Wolfe and
Elliott against it. Though many sur
missed that dishonest means we're being
used, few thought such astounding tes.
timony would be given. The con-
mittee at first resolved to sit with
open doors. Then decided by a vote
OF the Riot members to close them.
and did so one evening, but the senti.
ment of the House was so strong
against this proceeding that without
any resQ!ution the investigation was
made openly. Wednesday evening
the first witness sworn was Chris. Ma.
gee Of Pittsburg. He was in favor of
the Bill; had used no uudue means
to influence members; had paid news.
papers for articles published favoring
the Bill, at advertising rates. On the
whole told very straight story. The
next was Chas. B. Salter, an ex mem
ber. He was favorable to the bill but
answered "no" to almost every ques-
tion. Then Mr.. Rumberger, of Arm.
strong, WAS called. He came in pale
and CHASTITY. Dr. Gatchell stated that
he did not consider him in a fit state
to testify, and he himselfhatly refused.
lie was excused, promising to be pres.
ent next evening. Next was Silver.
thorn Of Erie. His testimony was that
he was told by Rumberger that he
lkumherger) was to receive 81 800 for
his vote for the Riot Bill, and that he
lSllycrthorn) could have half Of it if
he would support the Bill. Silver
thorn made 10 direct reply but loft
lon and consulted his colleague, Mr..
Short, who was not ready to advise
him, but suggested that he should see
Wolfe. Their joint advice was to ap.
pear to go with Rumberger to ferret
it out. lie did so, AID was taken to
Nr, Eemble's room, where be met Mr..