The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-02-16
Free Passes,
DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE.

When Mr. Hasson called up bill 1913
in the house last Monday evening
lengthy discussion ensued. This bill
makes il misdemeanor for state off
GERS, judges of the courts and members
of the legislature to accept free pass
or pass of any description from railroad
corporations. Mr.. Hasson called the
bill up, the committee having negative
ed it, and requested it be placed on the
calendar The house decided to grant
the request by a vote of 1876 to 81.
Mr.. Hasson, in support of his motion,
said that the only reason urged against
reporting the bill aflirmatively was that
it would be an act of discourtesy to
those members who had accepted free
passes. This he considered a fallacy.
He dsclaimed any criticism or censure
of any one, but he wanted to know for
those who considered it an act of dis
courtesy how they could reconcile the
matter in ignoring article 18th OF the
constitution. All personal thought
and personal considerations must be
ignored The issuing of free passes
was an odious one with the people.
He hoped the members would at least
allow the bill to be placed on the cal.
endar. If it is wrong or discourteous,
these demerits should be shown when
it is brought before the house. He
said that free passes are odious and un-
popular with the phople, and had some
of those who opposed this measure so
told their constituents there would be
vacant seats in the house as far as they
are concerned.
Mr.. Sharpe, of Franklin, said he
would cheerfully support the resolution
to place the bill on the calendar. He
quoted from the act of 1874 to carry
out the provisions of the constitution.
1t had been cunningly worded. 1t put
prohibition only upon such railroads
as had accepted the provisions of the
seventeenth article of the constitution,
or that might be organized after its
adoption. These railroad companies
said, because they say they were not
within the provisions of the constitu-
ton they had not the right to issue
free passes to the executive officers and
members of the legislature. He did
not charge that any of these officers
would be under obligations for having
accepted these passes. There are peo-
pie, however, who think that those who
have accepted these passes might un-
consciously be guilty of something
which they should not do. The result
| of the last election was not triumph
of any political party, but it was a re
monstrance against certain abuses
which had permeated the body polite.
He did not think public virtue or pri
vate integrity the exclusive property OF
any political party. Woe betide the
public servant or servants who will not
heed the verdict of the election last
fall. This was great question of pub
lie policy and ought not be smothered
in any committee.
Mr.. Sponsler, Perry, was also in favol
of the resolution. He thought it should
be out of tho committee and that il
should be discussed before the house
like any other measure 1t ought tt
have fair hearing. 1t is, as has beer
said, great question of public policy
He quoted from the constitution to show
that it was wrong. No argument car
be made to make it right if it is wrong
to accept a free pass. The constitution
was an experiment. 1t was like harl
of thousand strings, and each string
was being tuned. Here was the rum
bling of an earthquake on this ques
ton. The people did not believe tha
the man who was created by the Lore
was to be bound by the constitution
but that the great railroads, canals anc
other transportation companies wer
not to be bound.
| Mr.. Lowrie, of Indiana, said that i
any member feels himself insulted b,
any provision of the constitution ther'
must be something wrong with tina
gentleman.
| Several other members spoke on tn
same subject.