Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-14
rrRoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT;

HARRISBURG, March 13.-The first def
mite step toward final adjournment of the
Legislature was taken to-day by State
Chairman Andrews, who rose to question
of personal privilege and offered resolu-
ton to the effect that, if the Senate concur,
the Legislature shall adjourn sine die ON
April 25. Under the rules the resolution
was laid over until Friday.
The majority of the members are quite
willing to adjourn at the time fixed in the
resolution, if business can be sufficiently
expedited. Chairman Andrews is of the
opinion that it can be. Mr.. Dearden,
Chairman of the Committee on Appropria-
tions, doesn't think the House can get
through with The necessary work by that
time. 1t is reported in vague way that
the Republican leaders have said they can
pass the appropriations and revenue bills
by that time, and that they are not very
particular about anything else. They are
not saying anything of that nature for pub
lication, however, but some of them are un-
doubtedly in favor of adjourning as soon
after the 25th of April as possible.
MORE LIKE MAY FIRST.
1t is quite likely the 1st of May will be
agreed upon as the date if enough Republi-
cans can be held in line. At least three of
the Allegheny Senators will oppose fixing so
early date for adjournment, and Senator
Reyburn, of Philadelphia, Chairman of the
Senate Committee on Appropriations, is op-
posed to fixing any date whatever at the
present time. The ground of the opposition
is the fact that no appropriation bills have
yet reached the Senate from the House.
Senator Reyburn talks quite plainly on
the subject, and says he is opposed to fixing
date for adjournment until all the appro-
priation bills are in the hands of the Senate.
"We want sufficient time to examine them:'
he said, "and we should send them to the
Governor so far in advance of adjournment
that any objections he may have may be
communicated to the Legislature in time for
consideration. don't want to see the ap-
preparation bills and the revenue bills come
in here with q rush in the last days of the
session, so that we will have to
WORK DAY AND NIGHT,
and turn out our work imperfectly. Why,
two years ago, / and some other members of
the Appropriations Committee didn't have
our clothing off for days at time, and then
the Governor trimmed them down at his
pleasure after we had gone home.
GAS to the revenue bill, remarked
Senator Reyburu, ''I don't think there is
any need for it all. We have plenty of
revenue, if it was used properly. What is
the use of tieing up the State 's;moneY in the
sinking fund, where it is doing the State no
good whatever, and why pay premium for
State bonds when the money is needed for
other purposes? A man that would stint
his family to pay debts that are not due
would not be considered very good sort of
a man, vet that is exactly what the State of
Pennsylvania is being made to do with her
institutions. The financial policy is all
wrong. Why, look at what was done
awhile ago, when there was 81, 49S, 900 in
cash and 81 900, 900 in United States bonds in
the sinking fund. Then interest-bearing
bonds were sold to the detriment of the
State. What for? Possibly so that some
one could draw interest on the cash.
A SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENT.
"Another point against the States fnan-
cial policy is the fact that it pays S., 900 per
annum to the Farmers and Mechanics Ma
tional Bank, of Philadelphia, to act as its
financial agent, yet it had to pay the bank
a commission on the sale of these bonds.
In addition, it keeps very large sum OF
money on deposit in this same bank. II
looks to me as though there might be quite
an improvement on this manner of doing
business"
A gentleman familiar with the sale OF
bonds in question says they were disposed of
when the late A. Wilson Norris was
Auditor General, for the purpose of buying
a big block of State bonds, but when the
holder of the latter found the State ready to
buy he was unwilling to. complete the trade
except at such premium that the sinking
fund commissioners did not feel like closing
with him.
Hon. NJ. B. Lemon, of Pittsburg, called
on Governor Beaver to-day, to invite him to
the reception Of the Young Mems Republi-
can Tariff Club. The Governor couldn't
promise to be on hand, owing to the fact
that the proposed date OF adjournment of the
Legislature will conflict in measure with
the date of the reception. The Governor
will have his time fully occupied with bills
in case the adjournment is fixed at or near
the proposed time. He is in favor, how
ever. both of the early adjournment and Of
the clubs reception. SIMPSON.