The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-02-11
HARRISBURG LETTER.

Harrisburg, Feb. Sth, 1881.
When the Legislature adjourned last Sat-
urday members carried away with them to
their homes the belief that early this week
there would be a break up of the Senatorial
deadlock. This belief was predicted upon
knowledge of the general dissatisfaction ex-
listing among all parties interested at the de.
lay in business and on the particular unea.
siness which had by that time plainly mani
tested itself among the friends Of Oliver,
many of whom, if rumor be true, had served
notice upon him even before the close of
the week that he could not expect their sup
port much longer. In addition to this the
condition of political affairs in Philadelphia
called strongly for prompt settlement of the
Legislative difficulty in view of the near ap-
proach OF the spring elections which are
presaged by tokens of troubles which de.
mand the attention Of leaders there, who
are now wasting their sweetness on the des-
ert air of Harrisburg in vain attempts to Sc
cure coalition Of the party factions at is
sue. The probabilities of speedy settlement
of the difficulty was widely canvassed but yet,
although two ballots have already been re-
corded this week there have been no radical
steps taken which would indicate deter
minstion to end the deadlock at once. In to.
days joint session however, there were some
ebullient signs which while they do not indi.
cate positively a break up tomorrow or next
day as some of the savsnts claim were never
theless strongly indicative of the fact that
disturbing elements are at work beneath the
surface, the clashing of which may at any
msment culminate in an open eruption.
The vote which was recorded in the midst
of considerable crowd of expectsnt out
sidsrs stood as follows Oliver n, Wallace 80,
Grow 50, Macveagh 3,Phillips 8, Hewitt 2,
Agnew l, Baird l, Curtin /, and Shras 2.
The oaly disturbing incident in recording
the vote was the desertion of an Oliver man
to Shiras, but "a the crowd was expecting
bigger thing than that, the change made but
little impression on the observers. Just be.
fore the announcement of the vote certain
uneasiness suddenly possessed Representative
Ruddiman of Philadelphia, who held for.
midsble looking document in his hand with
which he seemed to be menacing his neigh
bors, This document proved to be a lengthy
preamble and set of resolutions which he pre-
sented in his usual Democratic style lust as
soon as the vote was recorded thus prevent
ing his colleague Mr.. Mckee from getting
IN onnthar natittnn from, ~ >c, ,;
tuous and highly respectable citizens of
Philadelphia. Mr. Ruddimsns resolution
presented few "glittering generalities" on
the subject ofthe delay in electing an United
States Senator but what the remedy pro.
posed was no one seemed to understand, and
whilst the dozed members were trying to
comprehend what Ruddiman was driving at
Senator Norris presented suddenly such
pabulum for their consumption as even the
most obtuse among them could detect the
relish of at q nibble.
Norris resolution provided that if no
choice for Senator was made before next Sat-
urday, that upon the following Monday, all
the names of candidates now before the
Joint Convention should be dropped, and
the names OF new ones presented. This res.
olution smacked too much of business and
its consideration was escaped by prompt
adjournment. Such is the situation to-
night, and what night may bring forth no
man can tell
l am sorry can't tell your readers some-
thing interesting in the line of actual bus-
ness transacted by the Legislature but that is
their fault not mine. Representative Hall,
Chairman of the general appropriation COM
mittee has been about the busiest man
around the "Hill," for some days past, work.
ing up the items for that great lever of gov
ernment. the general appropriation bill.
Whilst be is getting it in shape to present
to the House, will give your readers an |
to calculate how expensive q
thing this State government ofours Is, by sub. |
m itting some Of the figures this bill will con- |
tain. The total amount that 1t will be nee |
esssry to appropriate for the year 1881 will |
not fall short Of $S,576, 900; which will 70 to |
the different branches of government, Sc,
about as follows; Judiciary, $4,000; Leg.
islature, $542, 900; Salaries, $lS6,0OO Sta
&o,l $4,000; Printing (misceiilsneousj
$4,000 Schools sl,oo0,O0O; Interest on
the public debt, 81 ,OOO, 900; Gas and Water, |
Sl2,600I Public Buildings and Grounds,
$4,000 and miscellaneous $4,000 This
bill will also contain the appropriations for |
1882, which will be about $3.50, 900 less, the |
OF the Legislature being eliminat-
ed therefrom.