The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-03-27
CALL A HALT.

There are a good many people in and
around Harrisburg at the present time
who seem to think the State of PenDsyl
vania is vast depository of treasure,
which is held at the disposal of every
body whe cares to ask for it. They
think that the only purpose of raising
revenue is to give it out in vast sums to
any so called charity that thinks it has
need for it. They would taxsthe peo-
pie of the entire State in order that
some local concern NAV gobble up the
proceeds. 1t is quite as remarkable
that the members OF the Legislature
seem anxious to second the efforts of
these despoiIers as far as they possibly
can. Through their COmittee on AppTO-
prlations they have already recommend
ed appropriations to the extent of So
6OO. 600, and it is predicted that the sum
will reach fully s.. 00o. 900 before AL the
returns are in. This, be it remembered,
is for charitable PURPOSES only, and al
together apart and distinct from the ST.
200, 900 which are required for the Ordi-
nary expense sof the State, such as the
cost of the Legislative and Executive
departments, the interest on the pub
lie debt, the needs of the sinking fund,
and the appropriations TO the public
schools. As the total revenue OF the
Common wealth is only about Sl2, 800
600, it will be seen that if these schemes
go through, the State treasury will be
left empty. All this, be it remembered,
is being done at time when the Teve-
nue. of State is diminishing, and during
period when her great industries are
staggering under a most serious bnsi-
ness depression. With these facts be-
fore them, the Appropriation Committee
will recommend an increase of eleemo-
synary aid over last year amounting to
from forty TO fifty per cent.
The people are not in ravOr of this ex-
travagance. II their voices could be
beard nine out of every ten would be
lifted in protest. Surely the members
of the Legislature are not ignorant of
this and will not dare to disregard the
wishes of their respective constituencies.
Every district where there is a charita-
BILE institution located of course makes
common cause with every other where
like institution exist, and these. united
ly, present a strong front. No other
demands appeal so strongly to our SYM
pathY as those of charity none are so
hard 10 resist, but surely all must see
that these are not times for eXtravagant
and indiscriminate giving. The Legis-
lature owes duty to the people as well
as to the appeals of charity. For the
Legislature to follow the lead of its Ap-
preparation Committee would literally
be to run the State into debt out of SEN
timent. The money appropriated TO
this purpose two years ago was very
large, so large, in fact, that there can
be DO excuse for almost doubling the
sum this year. The issue must be met
squarely aud without shirking. Fair
l. =
menwealth demands that their hard
earned money shall not Se recklessly and
lavishly thrown away without their
| consent or against their well known
wishes. The members of the Legisla-
ture understand this question from first
TO last without being told. They know
what is expected of them, and they can
not afford To run counter TO the best in
terests of the Commonwealth aud the
will of their constituents.-Lan
NelC Era.