The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-06-03


ernor in the chair and not enough RePuoli-
cans to pass bills ever his veto, the minority /
felt quite at home, and kept the Republicans
busy.
Al the start sort Of compact vas agreed 4
on that commissions would be issued to ex-
Governor Beavers appointses for Factory |
Inspector, State Librarian, and Superintend- |
ent of Public Instruction, and that the Sen
ate would confirm Governor Psttison's sp-
pointments. The Senate, in the innocence Of
It's heart, confirmed the Democratic cabinet,
and several other appointments. So far Lii
brarian Egle has got his commission, but
two Democrats are ready TO step into the
shoes Of Factory Inspector Martin and su-
perintendent Of Public Instruction Waller,
though the appointments have not been con-
firmed.
The political bills passed embrace the
Ballot Reform bill, Apporiionment bills and
a bill for a convention TO amend the Consti-
tutior. The House and Senate could not
agree on a Senatorial Apportionment bill,
and that fact viii prevent the Governor from
using his veto power, for il is understood he
viii not agree to the apportionment bills.
The Ballot Reform bill and the Constitutions
al Convention bill are by many regarded
with favor in their present shape.
Liquor legislation was to be met at every
turn. The most important bill and the one
that caused genuine sensstion when II
came from the Conference Committe increas-
ed the retail license fees in first and second
class cities from $500 to 81 900. The people
who would oppose such a measure, and for
that matter .he people who would approve
It. never had an inkling of what was going
on until the Conference Committee report
came and was adopted.
Brooks's Wholesale License bill, putting
wholesalers much in ihe same position as re-
tailers, has passed both Houses, despite the
hard fight made 10 substitute the Pittsburgh
bill.
The last bill passed permits that bondsmen
anywhere in the county may go on the bond
of retail dealers.
Never before in the history of the Legisla-
ture were so many education bills introducs
ed, and Chairman Cochrane, of Armstrong
county, Of the Educational Committee says
that while several important educational
bills have passed there are others that should
have become laws.
Among the most important educational
bills that passed was Farr's Compulsory Ed
ucasion bill, requiring ell the children Of the
Commonwealth between the ages of and
Il years TO be sent to some public, private OF
parochial school at least 16 consecutive weeks
each year. II fixes a penalty of 81 for the
first conviction Of the person offending by
violation of this act and s5 for each subse
| quent conviction. This bill as passed. makes
it the duty of the assessor to make a list o
all the children between these ages giving
the residence of each and the names of theil
parents or guardians. This list is TO be re
ported to the County Commissioners of tn
county, whose duty, it is TO furnish the SAM
to the various boards ofschool directors. Th
teachers are furnished the list by the secre
tary, and i. is part of their duty TO repor
failure in attendance to the secretary at th'
olose Of each month II is the duty Of th'
secretary to ascertain the cause Of n0n-at
tendance, when, if it shall appear that par
ties so offending have sufficient cause, tk'
costs Of proceeding shall be paid out of thu
school funds. Teachers of parochial and o
private schools are required to cooperate
with the school authorities in carrying on
the provisions Of this act The main objecI
of the bill is to get the children of foreigI
parents into the public schools and teacl
them the common English branches.
Another bill passed requires school diree
tors elected in the future TO be sworn befor'
engaging in the duties of that Office.
The most important feature Of the session
for those interested in education was the in
crease of the school appropriation from tive
TO five millions annually.
The ruralists or agriculturalists did no
get such legislation as they expected. Thei
great interest was centered In the Taggar
bill. What has become Of it is too vel
known to need repetition. The Road bill
also went by the board. However on the as
Sumption that half Loaf is better than NJ
bread, they believe the Boyer revenue bill
will greatly nelieye them. They are ais
pleased with the appropriation of sj,OOO,ool
annually for education. Many fence, fisl
and game bills were introduced, but few o
them felt the scratch of the Governors
pen.
The refusal of the Senate 10 confirm Gov
Psttison's appointees for State Factory in.
spector, Superintendent Of Public lnstruc-
ton and City Treasurer Of Philadelphia was
an enlivening feature of the closing hours OF
the session. Charges Of broken faith were
freely made. The Democratic leaders up
held the Governor and the Republican lead
ers attacked bis action.
Along towards daylight the Conference
Committees report on the Worlds Fair bill
was passed by both Houses. Itprovides for
thirty commissioners, 70 be appointed by the
1 Governor, including the Governor, Lieuten-
nt-Guyernor, and pres iding officers of th'
two houses Three hundred thousand
dollars is the appropriation.
At II O'Clock the bill creating a State
banking department passed fnslly in the
Senate, with the House amendments. The
Superintendent of the department will bs
appointed by the Governor at a salary OF
$4,000 and he is given power to appoint a
deputy and clerks.
The House remained in session all Of last
night and until 10 o'clock this morning
when recess for an hour was taken. Then
the following bills were taken up and passed
finally:
Amendment to the factory inspector act.
Relating to appeals in divorce cases.
Abolishing the Office of director Of the
poor in cities OF the second class.
Authorizing cities to regulate and sup
press the emission of smoke from bitumin-
ous coal.
Relating to real estate given or devised TO
corporations to be used for religious or char
liable purposes.