Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-04-13
A Sad Sight. Indeed.

<t8 n onV oIBute AuuVVvs
That was indeed q melancholy specta-
~ that was afforded in the lower House
II the Legislature, when the anti.discrim'
Dntion bill was refused that hearing,
Dhich had q few days before been voted
~ it, but which the next day had been
nken away by q pretended desire to at
opd the Milton celebration; and which
enow the House refused to restore.
Il was . most melancholy exhibition,
#oecause it shows, 30 that he who runs
may read, that the sentiment Of the
House Is not Independent and honest,
but that 1t is controlled by masters and
Influenced by considerations that dis.
honor the members.
See how the case stands. The bill that
ls3refused a hearing is one simply to
enforce the constitution of the state. Its
aim had no assailants on the floor of the
House. Two-thirds Of the members
voted to consider it on the evening Of one
day; and the next day majority voted
not TO consider it; which refusal has been
|8eiterated. A bill therefore which inds
no one TO oppose its reason, and which
only proposes TO execute the constitution,
~ refused hearing in the House Of
Representative Of Pennsylvania; and 90
SIofused as to show that 1t was not done
~ the independent judgment Of Its
s1nembers, but by dictation to them.
And what and who does the bill affect
shat the Legislature thus refuses even to
Eoonsidery The answer tells the tale Of
1he influence that paralyzss legislation.
4e u the railroad companies Of Pennsyl-
aNania that are seeking to avoid the Penn
S1glvania constitution, and that have sue
poeded In 30 doing for fifteen years. The
Republican leaders of the state, who
control the Legislature, have permanent
seontract to secure this defeat Of the states
:oQpFeme law.
The pitcher that goes often to the we'll is
soE last broken. Those who long tread with
3npunity upon popular rights are sure
|34nally to bs strung up. And in the
awakened attention to the wrong of rail-
S1pa1 discrimination, which has been
ai3ed by the sharpness Of competition in
business and the narrowness OF the profit,
1tseems that the Republican leaders have
E1ayed their game and taken their stakes
s0nce too ofte 1. Upon the issue on which
fhey have placed the Legislature with the
xAilroads, they cannot carry their party
sWith them. This Is no question of party,
80 II the Republican party is forced by
6lfe leaders into line with the railroads, II
(i1l be scattered at the first popular
o1e - chaff before the wind.
The responsibility of the defeat OF the
oo1titution rests upon the Republican
nety, which has l47 OF the membeIs OF
- Houae to 81 Democrats. The Dem
eEats followed their leader, Mr.. Wherry,
& Cumberland. A number Of Republi.
~ we're honest enough to desert theil
6ers and between honest Democrats
Enn1 Republicans, Sc votes were mustered
- TO rs that were polled against the con
q IdAntion OF the bill, two-thirds being
n<sded TO order it. OF the Lancaster
nunty members, Kaufman and Bald wiz
&peed for consideration, and Franklin
= stchell and Ranck against it, Smith no
k,ting. This is much as the member
Nould have been expected to 20. Mr.
u XAuffman has shown himself throughou
v - session to be an intelligent, an earnes
ln4 m honest legislator. Mr.. Frankliu
thiscity. bearing an honored name, ,bs
- nothing TO honor it; and now di
rnoos u and perishes.