Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-03
Country Legislators Think That
Philadelphia Is Not Entitled
to the Speakership.
TALK OF COMBINING AGAINST HIN.
Representative Graham Pleased With the
License Law, but He Will Favor
aFew Chang,S.
PROSPECTS FOR PLENTY OF MONEY.
Window Class Business Dull, While Competition l.
Severe in the West

Representative James L. Graham, of Al
leghenv, is the first of the Allegheny county
delegation to start for Harrisburg. He SAID
he wanted to be there early, and he had no
desire to travel on Sunday.
Mir. Graham undoubtedly deserves the
title of father of the House on account of his
age and his long number of years Of service
as a legislator. He was formerly Speaker
and Chairman of the WAYS and Means Com
mittee Of the last Legislature. He is likely
TO continue in his present position.
Mr. Graham said there was a movement on
foo to make StateC manAndrewsJournal
Clerk OF the House, but be thought John w.
Morrison would be elected without opposi-
tiou. Mr.. Morrison has proven himself
valuable man, and he understands the duties
of the position thoroughly. So far as he
knew there was no opposition to Ed Smiley
for Chief Clerk of the Senate to succeed
Russell Errett, who is i'll.
Divided as to the Speakership.
Concerning the Speakership fight Mr..
Graham said: 1.-The Allegheny county dele
cation is divided. Some will vote for Brooks,
others for Findley. of Monongahela City,
one will stand by Captain Baker, of Media,
and Representative Stewart has been tying
M some of the members In his interest Mr..
Brooks, with the Endorsement of the Phila-
de!phia delegation, will be a strong man,
but it is possible that the country members
and the field may combine against him.
The last Speaker came from the Quaker
City. and there is feeling that the
position should go to another section Of the
State. At present it is anybody's fight. and
no one can say in advance who the man will
be until the caucus settles it Monday even
irg.
"My opinion is that this will be long
ard unpleasant session. For the first time
in nv experience in the Legislature 1 am
going to Harrisburg without bill of any
kind in my pocket, but it is too early to an
ticipate legislation. I will be home again
Ia week, and when 60 back expect to
have number of bills to introduce.
Legislation Needed for Allegheny.
Allegheny is now certainly a city of the
second class, and some legislation will be
needed to adapt affairs TO the new condition
of things. suppose there will be some dis
cussion and opposition. The members from
Western Pennsylvania are all in favor Of
the canal project to Erie, but 1t is hard to
saw what will be done.
81 understand the Republicans will make
al effort to rush the apportionment bill
through before Pattison becomes Governor.
1 hardly think it can be done, as it is a
difficult Job to redistrlct the State, and it is
very hard even to satisfy the Republicans.
There are always members of Congress and
prospective candidates who object aud
l.. 4l....
Because the Democrats have gerrymandered
other States that is no reason why the same
tactics should be worked In this State by
the Republicans. l am for fair appor-
tionment, and will oppose any bill that 1
think is not just 20 ali parties.
How about the farmers?" was asked.
''Well, they had about 80 members that
they controlled in the last Legislature, and
I think they will be strong in the coming
House 1 anticipate another fight will be
made on the oleomargarine question and
kindred subjects. L think oleomargarine,
when labeled, should be sold, and have al
WAYS thought it was better than second and
third rate butter. Some Of the Granger
representatives wanted green coloring mat
ter put in it to distinguish it from butter,
but that is a ridiculous idea. As for the
equal tax proposition, bill covering this
ground was passed by the last House, but it
was killed in the Senate.
Doubt About the Liquor Problem.
81 hardly know what will be done with
the LIQUOR problem. Representative Fow, of
Philadelphia, who is Democrat, intends to
introduce bill. and of course it will be en-
tirely in the interest Of the liquor men. A
wholesale liquor dealer told me to-day that
every reputable man in the business was
satisfied with the Brooks law. The country
saloonkeepers complain that the license
fees are too high, and they want them
reduced. l am inclined to be liberal with
the liquor interests, and would not object to
an excise commission to grant Licenses, pro-
vided the members were appointed by the
judges of the courts This would remove
the position as far as possible out of the
reach of politics. If it became a political
institution every saloon man, irrespective Of
party, would work to have his friends on the
board. As it is the temperance people are
afraid the judges will be corrupted, bui
1 think they have granted Licenses
impartially under the law, and
recently they have been very liberal.
hold it is an imposition on the judges TO put
this work on their shoulders, but believe
they are the best fitted to do il.
An Additional Judge for Allegheny.
"That reminds me that we may have an
additional law judge in Allegheny county
The business has greatly increased, and the
present judges are overworked. think the
Brooks law could be amended in few par
ticulars to good advantage. For instance
that clause which provides that the bonds
men should come from the ward ir
which the saloon is located ough
to be changed. As 1t is a matter of security
can't see that it would make any differ
eDce where the bondsmen lived. 1t otter
happens that the liquor mans financial
friends live in other wards than his own
ard this fact should not affect him."