The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-03-25
HARRISBURG LETTER.
HARRrsBURG, March 22nd, 1881

HARRrsBURG, March 22ud, 1881.
The past legislative week was inaugu
rated by the usually noisy, uninterestng
and equally unproductive session of Mon
day night, but the week taken as n whole
has been n remarkable one. The Senate
transacted its usual amount of work, but
the House believe did not pass q single
bill finally. Two days were consumed
in most ridiculous manner. 1t seems
that correspondent of the Pittsburgh
Commercial Gazette, very reputable
daily, had incurred the displeasure of
Speaker Hewitt, by publishing structures
on his action in referring the Pittsburgh
riot bill to the general appropriation com
mittee instead of the ways and means
committee, where he had referred the
border raid bill. There was no ground
for blaming the Speaker in this action,
for the riot bill was by its own terms so
manifestly an appropriation bill that it
could not with propriety have been re
ferred elsewhere. The Speaker was very
angry and justly so when he saw the
criticism in the newspaper and his friends
Immediately instituted proceedings to
have the reporter expelled from the floor
of the House. Grave doubts of the
policy of such movement as this were
entertained by many of Speaker Hewitt's
friends, but nevertheless a resolution en-
bodying the expulsion of the reporter was
introduced into the House, and naturally
majority of the members were dcsirous
of seeing the Speaker vindicated and IA
vored the resolution. A bitter contro-
versy, however ensued, many of the
members from Allegheny county espous-
ing the cause of the reporter. The ses-
sions of two days were consumed with
the matter and the reporter was finally
expelled on Thursday by vote of 81
yeas to S2 nays. The Allegheny men,
bers were very angry over this little af-
fair and as the sequel shows will take
every opportunity offered to vent their
spite. The first opportunity was on Fri
day when the repeal Of the Philadelphia
Recorders act came up for consideration.
The friends of this measure sought to fix
a day certain for its consideration and so
moved To vent their feeling against
the Philadelphians who voted for the
expulsion of the reporter of the Com
merciol the entire Allegheny delegation
voted for the repeal bill, and from pres
ent appearances if the ire of the Ale
gheny delegation is not appeased an i'm
portant ring office in Philadelphia is like
ly to be the sufferer From present ap-
pearances | say this bill will at least pass
the House, but it will likely be retarded
somewhat in the Senate, but whether
sufficiently so to prevent its passage this
session remains to be seen. Strenuous
efforts will be made to defeat it, and to
that end, it Is rumored the forcing of an
early adjournment of the Legislature will
be attempted by the Governors agreeing
to an extra session next year, and that he
will do that is by no means certain.
Among the important legislation
touched during the last week, note the
following: The bill providing for the
appointment of commission to revise
the revenue laws of the State to consist
of a number of Senators and Members
and State officers. This has been re-
ported favorably in the Senate. In like
situation is the bill to increase the sala-
ries of the judges of the Supreme court.
1t originally provided an increase of the
present salaries which stand: Chief JUS
tice, $500, associate justices, $1,000
to S10,500 for the chief, and $4,000
for the associates. These figures were
| reduced in committee to $500 for
the chief, and $4,000 for the associates
| " importe, the bill will not pass any.
how.
The late change in the head of the
State Department of Public Instruction
has created considerable comment DR.
E. +. Higbee, of Franklin county, the
appointee is new in politics, and is said
TO have been appointed on the recon-
mendation of Senator Stewart, a leader
of the kickers. 1t is also an open secret
that j. w. Jones, present Superintendent
of Public Printing will have to step ou
to give place to Col. Worth. of Lebanon
another kicker These things are little
relished by a certain class of politicians
here.
If last nights session can be taken al
an indication, this week is destined to b,
another stormy one in the House. TIL,
tlibustering scenes enacted there las
night in attempts to frustrate the earl,
consideration of the Recorders repea
bill, whilst they have been largely mag
nified by the reports, were still disgrace
full enough and give promise of trouble
ahead. A.