The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-03-04
HARRISBURG LITTER.
Harrisburg. March lst. 1881.

tsts tOois
Your correspondent owes your readers
an apology for his neglect of them last
week, but circumstances entirely beyond
his control compelled the omission of the
letter.
Long ere this the news has reached
you and many of your readers that
the once seemingly interminablc fight
over the senatorship is at an end and the
contending factions of the Republican
party have washed from their careworn
visages the last vestige of war paint
and donning the garb of peace have
settled down to the transaction of legit-
innate legislative business. The break
up came suddenly. There seems to have
been no preconcerted arrangement, but
both sides tired nigh unto death in their
wranglings, as if with one accord named
the man, who having been the least talk
ed of, was therefore best suited to step
to the front and heal the breach in the
party. A curious circumstance attends
the selection of John |. Mitchell as Sen
ator, both sides claim that in his choice
lies n victory for them. This claim is
most natural, but which side seems to
have the element of sincerity in its claim?
Those who are best acquainted with
John |. Mitchell emphatically declare
that in his choice Cameron has been
worsted TO Mitchell they attribute an
Independence which will not brook the
dictates of any man, and an ability in af-
fairs political at least on a par with
Cameron, and talent in other directions
which his senatorial colleague does not
possess. BE this as it may, one thing is
certain, the Independent Republicans be-
lieve it, and are as consequence more
earnest in their rejoicing over the result
than the other side.
The committee of conference, to which
was entrusted the choice of candidate.
held the notable meeting which named
Mitchell last week Tuesday night. BY the
uninitiated their agreement was looked
upon as hopeless and the announcement
OF the result was consequently surprise,
but a joyous one to most of those con
cerned. The news spread rapidly and
some time before the hour of noon on
Wednesday arrived, an expectant crowd
gathed in the lobbies of the House and
opOO OH int uOOT
not fobidden, to witness the closing
scenes of the long protracted contest.
Some enterprising photographer had
hung to the right of the Speakers stand,
a life size picture of the chosen candi-
date, and large majority of those who
were soon to honor him with their votes
thus made their acquaintance with him
for the first time. Nothing worthy of
mention occurred while the vote was
being recorded excepting that Repre-
sentatives Law and Ruddiman, of Phila-
delphia, refused to cast their votes for
Mitchell, the former voting for Wayne
| McV eigh and the latter for Benz Harris
Brewster The vote for the two princi
| pal candidates wasas follows: Mitchell,
1885, Wallace, 92; the Democrats remain
ing firm to the last, in their support of
Wallace, preferring this course to the
punic promises of their political oppo-
nents. "rhey feared the Greeks though
bearing gifts"
To-day the Legislature got down to
solid work in earnest A number of bills
were considered on second reading.
When the chairman of the appropriation
committee called up the general appro-
priation bill, the closest attention was
given to it's consideration in the COM
mittee of the whole. The items of this
bill have already been laid before your
readers. Two important bills which
will note here, have been introduced and
will shortly appear upon the calendars.
The first is the claim of Allegheny coun-
ty for damages occasioned by the riots
and the other is the "Border Raid Bill -
With both of these your readers are ac-
quainted. The friends Of these bills ask
for a candid hearing, and they give fair
notice to lobbyists and all outsiders to
keep hands off.
The judicial and legislative appoltion,
meut bills have both been introduced.
In their present shape they make no
change IN the old districts, but let no
one be led by the vain hope that they
will thus stand when the Legislature is
through with them. There are many
anxious people looking after these two
bills just now. will keep my eye on
them and tell your readers what funny
things are done with them.