The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-01-07
HARRrsBURG LETTER.
Etom our Reanlar ogrrenonsleat.


HARRISBURG, Pa, January 5, 1885.
For several months past the busy
mechanics and laborers were ptying
their every energy in repairing.
cleaning and making as new, the
halls and corridors of the Capitol
building of the State. Everything
looks as clean as a pin, very favor
able contrast to the unpleasant con-
dition in which all things were left
after the long session which finally
adjourned about year ago. The
Senate chamber has received espec-
ial attention in this general renova-
ton. The desks have been re-var,
nished, new brussels carpet put upon
the floor, the heating facilities i'm
proved and the walls neatly frescoed.
The three large paintings upon the
ceiling are models of perfect work,
bv the delicate brush Of an Italian
artist from Washington, DC. The
Hall looks attractive and cheerful,
and if these surroundings have theiI
influence we can expect good and
wholesome legislation from the Ses'
sion of 1885. The Representative
Hall has received less attention and
less expense was incurred IN putting
it in a comfortable condition, new
carpet, new radiators, new curtains
re-varnished desks, etc, are among
the many changes made. These re-
pairs are necessarily expensive. Al
though those in charge used every
precaution, TO lessen expenses, the
cost will probably reach the sum Of
five thousand dollars.
The Legislative session of 1885
which is just commencing, promises
to be one of importance. Its mem
bers were slow to make their appear
ance upon our streets, but they are
nvg nearly all present to answer the
first roll call. Their pleasant faces
and polite demeanor indicate thai
they left bright homes and hope
fol constituency. The people o.
this city are pleased to have the law
makers of this great commonwealth
of Pennsylvania sojourn with them
while in session and engage in theil
arduous duties. Many member!
while here stop with private families
some come here with their familie:
and rent for the time, but the largest
number of them stop at the differ
ent hotels throughout the city. The
largest of which are the Lochiel, the
Republican headquarters, the Bolton
the headquarters of the Democrats
the Jones and the United States
The convening of the Legislature
makes everything more lively ano
business like. We not only havs
the members as an addition to oul
population but an army of other;
from every part of the state who are
scrambling for the subordinate OH
ces.
The most important feature OF
this session will be the election OF
United States Senator. Many
surmises are afoat as to who will
be the successful candidate. The
most that can be learned is tha,
J. d. Cameron is candidate and
that be will return here after the
Legislature is fully organized to
personally take charge of his re-
election to the Senate. The organi-
zation of the Senate and House is
no small task to perform so as to
give entire satisfaction to the dit
ferent factions that usually seek
predominance. Judging from pres
ent indications it looks as if the
following would be the organization
of the Senate: President pro tenn,
Amos II. Mylin, of Lancaster; Chief
Clerk. E. w. Smiley, of Venango
and Reading Clerk, Lucius Rogers,
of Mexican. OF the house, for
Speaker, James L. Graham, of Ale
gheny; Chief Clerk, George Pearson,
of Mercer; Resident Clerk, John d.
Patterson, of Harrisburg; Reading
Clerk, Harry HUM, of Philadelphia:
Sergeant-at-arms, Charles Voorhees,.
of Philadelphia. After organization
on Monday they will adjourn until
Wednesday. when they will again
adjourn for about ten days in order
to give the Speaker time to appoint
his committees. The Senate COM
mittee is composed of eleven men,
bers whose duties are to make
all subordinate appointments. The
Senate has about twenty-eight sub
ordinate appointments, nearly all
of which are made by the Chief
Clerk.
The Governor has finished his
message, and no doubt it will be an
able document and be full of bold
and original suggestions on subjects
of great interest to the tax payers.
1t will be read more extensively
and with greater attention than is
usually given to papers of this char
acter. The resignation of Captain Or
mig, Assistant Librarian, took effect
January 1st. In 1875 he was APP
pointed by Governor Hartranft, who
had been Colonel of his old three
months regiment, to the position.
and has held it up to the time OF
his resignation. He was very ex-
cellent and efficient keeper of the
books. His successor, Prof. Samuel
Baer, of Reading, is well known to
the people of the State. He has
for several years been Superintend-
ent of Public Schools of Reading.
and has been engaged in giving in
structions at County Institutes.
The duties of the Librarian and As
sistant are arduous, and with the
rapid increase of the number OF
books, additional assistance should
be appointed. There are now near
ly $1,000 volumes in the Library.
Librarian Little, who resides at
Carlisle, had call to professor
ship in the Syracuse University OF
New York. He will not accept the
call. We would not want Prof
Little to leave the State, but think
that while he acts as Librarian he
should reside in this city.
II. & J.
General Grants Bad Health