Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-06-21
How IL This !

How IL This!
Secretary Chandler announced We'd
nesday, says the New York Sun, that he
will sell at public auction thirty old and
useless ships belonging TO the Robson.
ian navy.
One of the vessels which Chandler
proposes to turn over to the junk deal.
ers is the Alaska. This is wooden
screw steamer of 2,400 tons, built in
1867 or 1868. The Alaska is at present
on the Pacific coast.
This ship, now condemned to be sold
or given away because she is "unft for
further naval service, has cost the coun-
try $l377,57 exclusive OF ordnance.
Secor Robson expended $5S0,000 in
tinkering her hull and machinery.
Just one year and one month ago
Secretary Chandler reported to Con.
gress that the Alaska, except in the
matter OF guns, WAS efficient TO engage
in battle with an enemy of the same
general classification" The Bureau of
Construction and Repair classed her
efficient, not requiring the expenditure
of cent. The Bureau OF Steam En-.
gineering reported her ms in frst.class
| condition. The Bureau of Equipment
and Recruiting made a similar report
concerning her condition. All that was
needed for the Alaska was ordnance.
II the ship was efficient in May, 1852,
how does it happen that in June, 1883,
she is unfit for further naval service 20
Perhaps Chandler or some Of his
friends need cheap vessel, which want
the Alaska would supply at a nominal
cost.
Tue MORE important bills passed by
the Legislature during the session which
ended on Wednesday were those abolish.
ing the Sealers OF Weights and Meas.
ures increasing the gratuity and an.
nuity OF the veterans and widows Of
veterans Of the War Of 1872 repeating
the Recorder act of 1878; abolishine
the Philadelphia Delinquent Tax Office
preventing lapse Of time from giving
right to keep electric wires perpetualy
attached to buildings making neligi.
bic TO the Office of District Attorney
any person who shall not have been ad
mitted to the bar two years prior to his
election providing for voluntary tribu
mails to adjust labor disputes providing
for the supervision and control OF insti. /
tutlons for the insane prohibiting the /
levying Of license tax .supon persons ,
taking orders for goods by sample for /
individuals or companies who pay the /.
tax at their chief place OF business:
fixing the standard weight Of a bushel /.
OF potatoes at sixty pounds repealing /
the act authorizing market clerks to /
confscate shortweight butter, lard +
sausage, etc. Regulating the hunting
and killing Of web.footed Wild fowl: /
preventing the exemption Of property
on judgment obtained for fifty dollars or I
less for wages for manual labor provid. /
ing for free evening schools for children .
unable to attend the public day schools:
exempting building associations from
state tax to protect dairymen and pre-.
vent deception in tho sale Of butter and
cheese aboljshing tho Office Of Recor.
der in cities Of the first class providing
for the appointment OF commission
by the Governor for the purpose Of re.
vising the mining and ventilation laws
in the anthracite coal regions; a supple.
ment to an act providing for additional
security in case Of fire in hotels and
other buildings to protect miners in
the bitumiuous coal regions: a supple
ment to the act of 1879, providing for
the health and safety OF persons ON
ployed in coal mnes, further providing
tor the furnishing Of traps and timbers
to the miners; an amendatory act TO
the one Of 1862 providing for the pun.
ishment Of cruelty to animals; pre-
venting the placing in peril Of life or
limb performers at public exhibitions;
directing and empowering County Com
missioners to resort to condemnation to
secure ground for the erection Of neces
ssry county buildings, such "a jail, court
house, etc, where said ground cannot
be otherwise secured supplement- to
the act regulating the incorporation of
corporations authorizing the formation
Of pipe lines for Transporting petroleum
and giving the right OF eminent domain
in taking lands and property for auch