The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1885-05-02
OUR HARRISBURG LETTER.
Special to the CARBON ADVOCATE.

Special TO the CARBON ADVOCATE.
HARRIsBURG. Pa, April 81, '65.
The last week has been busy week,
the members are beginning to realize
that their time is drawing to close, and
they are endeavoring to make as much
of the remaining time as the possibly
cen. During the last week there was
considerable fun about the Hill and es-
pecially so on Friday when the Speaker
discovered that there was no quorum.
He ordered the doors to be locked and
sent the Sergeant-at-arms to scour the
city for delinquent members. He did not
find any. 1t was amusing to see the Ser
geant with several policemen and a re-
porter hurrying from one hotel to anoth-
er and finally when the could not cap
ture any of the delinquent they took a
drink and a smoke and dispersed. The
Bullitt bill, the high license bill, the ap-
preparation bills, the bill to abolish poll
tax, the anti-discrimination and bill to
protect the fish in Lake Erie and the
waters adjacent thereto, are some of the
most important bills that were up for
discussion since my last letter. There is
not mu5h doubt but that high license
will Le obtained. The bill will pass
whether it will be the proper thing to
do or not is question. A number of
the whisky and beer men claim that it
will do them more good than harm. 1t
will shut up the small drinking dens and
make the large one larger.
The poll tax bill which is to abolish
the paying of poll tax before the right of
suffrage is allowed was discussed at great
length but was not passed. There were
Some very good arguments advanced why
this bill should be passed, but yet they
were not well received.
The appropriations are still demanding
attention. One of the Philadelphia
members told me that he had consulta-
ton with the Governor about the differ
ent institutions that are asking aid, and
the Governor said that he was not in
favor of giving money TO all the small
institutions which ask for it, but would
most heartily favor giving to the old and
established institutions. The trouble
now is that there are so many small in-
stitutions that are asking for aid, and in
some cases they do not exist at'all, as the
Connelsville Hospital for instance. An
other point was shown to me regarding
appropriations which shows that some
money could be make. SIS, 102 were re-
commended by the committee to be APP
propriated for mileage for the members,
senators and officers about the Hill; now
this would be all right provided the par
ties who get it would use it for the pur-
pose for which it is intended, but not
one-tenth of it .oes where it should and
where it is intended to be used. The
railroad companies get very little, if any
of it, and yet they do the carrying, in
fact, don't think there is a member,
senator or officer about the Hill who pays
u dollar of mileage money, from the time
he comes here ut the opening of the ses-
sion until he leaves at the close. yet
suppose there is not one who will refuse
to take all the mileage money he is en-
titled to.
The House was treated to bill from
Mr.. Belts, of Philadelphia, which is real
ly an absurd one. 1t provides that every
skating rink shall pay an annual License
Of $1,000, one-half of which shall go into
the State, and the other half into the
County Treasury. Any one violating |
this provision shall be guilty of misde-
meanor, and liable to a fine of $1,000, one
half of which shall be paid to the prose-
cutor, This question will work out its |
own existence. The more we tamper
with these places as an evil the more of
a hold will they take upon the people.
Let them alone and they will soon be
to close their doors for want
of patronage, which is the case already |
with some OF the places.
Several of the Philadelphia members
are fearlully cross at an article which APP
peared in one of the Philadelphia papers
this week. The article charged them
with having formed themselves into
squeeze committee for the purpose of
getting money out of parties who want
their votes to pass bills which they are
interested in. This is certainly a grave
charge and with the personal acquaint-
ance have with the members charged, /
would unhesitatingly say that the report
is basely false. The report that NJ. S.
Quay has announced himself for State
Treasurer, has caused some talk about
the Capital. The leading politicians are
paralyzed with astonishment TO think
that politician of his standing, and
leading man such as he was represented
to be, shoGld ask for this Office. Quay
astonished the politicians because he did
not ask for higher once. 1t is the
opinion of n number of the politicians
that Mathew had better stay where he is,
namely, boss, and let some one else do
the work. lie will make hard fight for
il and will probably make ID.
A eommIltve OF the Knights OF Labor,
represe nting the striking employees ct
Driiton and Coke Bros, 4 Co.'s colHeries
near HALE ton, met representatives Of the
employers Tuesday aud anpounced hat the
Ftrikers we re ras.dv Ia raturn IN unrl hut