Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-17
rrRoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT. ;

Is ut1u py bnOSe on Un6 lnSlQ6 70 Vt
fully shown in the action of the Street
Railways Committee of the House in send
ing to that body with a negative recommen-
dation all street railway bills. Mr.. Magee,
it is stated without reservation, wants legis-
lation of that kind, and has sent bills here.
Mr.. Magee, however, is not alone in his de-
sire. A considerable number of the third
class cities are with him, and it will be diff
cult to convince them all that they should
suffer Just because the Chairman of the Ma
tional Republican Committee doesn't like
the Republican leader of Pittsburg.
As is well known the State is without any
law under which street railways may be in
corporated, the Supreme Court having de-
cided the act of 1873 unconstitutional. It is
generally admitted that something to take
its place is needed, and to meet the demand
a number of bills were introduced, begin
ming with the somewhat noted one which
contained section forbidding new street
railway to parallel the line of an existing
street railway within ], 900 feet. Other bills
wholly unobiectionable were introduced,
among them one from Philadelphia and
another from Wilkesbarre. But Matthew
Stanley Quay's orders have gone forth, and
he intends that they shall be obeyed.
ALLEGHENY MEN AT WORK.
The Street Railways Committee met on
Thursday evening. Persons on the inside
had pointers before the meeting that an
order had been received to kill the bills
that had Just come over from the Senate
one of which was particularly acceptable,
it was presumed, to the Pittsburg leader. A
gentleman who heard about the meeting
from a friend on the committee received
some information particularly interesting to
people of this section. He says Represen-
tative Robinson, of Allegheny, went into
the meeting expecting to hear arguments on
the bills. No one appeared to talk for them
and the sentiment of the committee seemed
to be very much against them. The COM
mittee was about to go into executive ses-
sion and Representative Robinson was on
the point of retiring, but before going men,
toned to the committee that he thought
there were at least two gentlemen in the
city who desired to be heard from in favor
of the measure.
'Who are they?'' inquired Chairman
Keyser. "We will be very glad to extend
them the courtesy of hearing"
''They are Walter Lyon, Esq, and Arthur
Kennedy, of Allegheny's Common Coun-
Gill; replied Mr.. Robinson. "I can have
them here in short time if the committee
will postpone action"
sit will hardly be necessary to go to that
trouble" said Mr.. Keyser, with a smile.
81 have talked with both gentlemen, and
the action we take will be perfectly satisfac-
tory to them"
Before leaving for home that same night,
Mr.. Kennedy, in a very happy frame Of
mind, said to the inquiring DISPATCH cor
respondent that no one had discovered his
business in Harrisburg.
There is a splendid opening" said a
gentleman commenting on the circum-
stances, "for Mr.. Magee to strike a blow
that Mr.. Quay will remember. All Mr.
Magee needs is a good man who can talk
well, TO move on the floor of the House that
some one of the street railway bills be
placed on the calendar.
A POLITICAL PARADOX.
cit is not probable, of course, that this
could be done, and, in fact, for Mr.. Magee's
purposes it would be much better to have
the motion defeated. Such defeat might
not be victory, but it would be long step
in that direction. 1t would place Mr.. Quay
before the State, through his legislative ma
jority, in the position of strangling neces-
sary legislation to gratify private political
animosity. The death struggles of the street
railway bill would be something which his
friends could use to good advantage in
future party contests to point moral. But
much of the advantage to be gained by the
action of Mr.. Quay will be lost unless some
friend of the Pittsburg chieftain places the
death struggles on exhibition -
Street railway legislation is not the only
subject on which Mr.. Quay has recently
issued orders. His decree has gone forth
against Senatorial apportionment and in
20 Of IN IN odf
the session Senator Rutan placed an ap-
portionment bill in the hands of Mr.. Pugh,
of Somerset, Chairman of the House Ap-
portlonment Committee. That was the end
of 1t. Mr.. Pugh received a pointer from
Senator Delamater that nothing of the kind
was desired. Mr.. Pugh received the pointer
in friendly spirit, and leaned strongly to
the view that the time for the next
United States census is so near
at hand that it is hardly worth
while to apportion until that census
furnishes the new basis of representation.
Because" he argues, the work would all
have to be done over again." 1t had been
Senator Rutan's intention to have the bill
first pass the House as a mere matter of
form, and to have that much of the work
quickly out of the way. Mr.. Pugh's failure
to call his committee together disconnected
this plan, but the Allegheny Senator
was not to be baked, and in
troduced his bill in the Senate. But
Mr.. Quay says no, and another point is
scored in favor of the political leadership
of Senator Delamater, SO far as the Beaver
statesman can fix it. But even he is
not omnipotent Ten Republican Senators
declined to bow to his will on Thursday
when the smction to adjourn was rushed
over from the House, Senators Steel and
Upperman being among the number. Nine
Democrats and the Lieutenant Governor
helped them defeat the adjournment. but
the party whip will be cracked, and It is
not unlikely that it will make some of the
gentlemen move back into the line
THE REASON FOR ADJOURNMENT.
Senator Grady, the President pro tenn.
seemed to give away the animating motive
of the adjournment resolution when he said
in effect that thus far the Legislature had
not "put its foot in it. !" This carried with
it the inference that there was no telling
what mistakes might be made and it was
better to get the Legislature away before it
got to rushing through measures as imper-
feet as Senator Grady and some others say
most of the legislation of two years ago was.
Mr.. Quay desires no mistakes.
Senator Cooper these times is cheerful as
schoolboy, and doesn't care who knows
how happy it makes him feel to be har-
monious, with the rewards OF harmony
looming up not very far before him. Dur
ing the most exciting part Of the debate on
adjournment he approached little group
oil correspondents told them a FUNNY story