Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-27
NEW LAWS IN FORCE.
Some of the Results of the Recent
Legislative Session.
WHAT THE ESECRET BALLOT MEANS.
Several Bills for the Betterment of Labor
Organizations.
GRAPE GROWERS GET MORE PRIVILEGES

demise of the late Legislature, although
labor reformers were not satisfied, vet the
body seems to have dabbled to consider
able extent around the edge of the reform
dish. The laws it enacted and amended are
at length presented TO a along-expectant pub
lie, and some people are inclined to be
satisfied to get them before the next bien-
NAL session.
The Governor vetoed one bill. for which
act he will not get the thanks of dwellers in
the suburbs of large towns and cities. This
was House bill No. Il, an act providing for
the arrest and punishment of persons guilty
OF dj,orderly conduct in the townships OF
this Commonwealth His Exeellency says
he has filed his reasons for the veto with
the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Many
people will he curious to know what they
are. as Sunday in summer is at present
made hideous within q radius of ten miles
of this city by toughs OF both
sexes who make it day of
riot, instead of innocent recreation. They
can he punished for disturbing a religious
meeting. but in view of the other mischief
they do to suburban dwellers, this provision
is ridiculous. as Il worshiping congregation
is able to take care Of itself, while an iso-
lated family is not.
ONE OF THE IMPORTANT BILLS.
The 16-page election act, which contains
81 sections. provides for secret ballot, Sec
tion Is recurring that all ballots used Mt the
SAME voting place 1T any election, snail De
at least 4x6 inches in area, and printed on
white paper with the same kind or KINDS
in type, not smaller th&n BREWER. They
nust not have any impression or mark on
tEcm that would distinguish them. Zach
ballot must be attached 20 n stub or coun-
tcT,oil and ali ha'!ots for the same voting
;lIa,e must he bound together in books in
-l.,h manner that each can be detached and
rmuved separately. The provision for Sc
Crrcy is rs follows:
a diagonal folding line shall be printed
ou Uhc right hand upper corner of the back
uf each ballot. and the said corner shall
he edged with adhesive paste so that
fh, corner. when folded at the
iu.diuL lines, can be securely fastened down
over the number now required by the Con-
s;ifutiCn Of this Commonwealth, so that the
said number caunot be seen without un-
Fastening or cutting open the part so fas-
tened down. The top of each ballot shall
la G "A margin of equal size ON both back
cad face, and the said folding line shall be
upon this margin, but nothing else shall be
printed thereon except instructions how to
mark. Provided, That If at any time the
said Constitution shall cease to require bal
lots to be numbered the foregoing require
luCnts as to the folding line the margin and
the adhesive paste shall be void"
The penalty for setting fire to forest lands
wllfully or carelessly, is increased from $50
to SlGO This is a law that every one should
be on the alert to see enforced.
FOR THE SAFETY OF TRAVELLERS.
Act No III provides that any one con-
victed of the wilful and malicious obstruc-
ticn, removal or misplacing OF any light,
signal or rail on any railway in this State
whereby the life OF any human being is de-
stroyed shall be deemed guilty of murder.
The pollution OF springs by neGlecting to
plug CiSused gas or oil wells has been made
. misdemeanor, punishable by fine OF not
more than s., 600 and imprisonment not eN-
Ceeding six months either or both at the
discretion OF the Court. Persons agrieved
may. after notice, abate the nuisance them
selves at the cest of the person whose duty
1t l. 70 do 1t.
Act No 80 provides that il shall be lawful
for employees individually or collectively to
refuse to work for any person or corpora
tlon Whenever sncn persons n1It .nink
l. offensive or unjust, or when continued
labor would be contrary to the rules by
laws, resolutions, etc, If any club. associa-
tion, organ .Zation or meeting they may have
attended and they are allowed to adopt
WAYS and means to make such rule, regula-
tions and bylaws and resolutions e1fect1ve
without subjucting themselves to indict-
mcnt for conspiracy either under common
laws of this Commonwealth. But they are
not allowed to use force. threats or menace
or harm to person or property to effect their
objects, nor to conspire to commit a felony.
Act No. PA makes ii unlawful for mining
or manufacturing corporations to carry on
stores BY direct or indirect means, nor are
they allowed to lease or sell the right to
keep ono on their property.
PLUCK-NE STORES ARE ILLEGAL.
Nor are such companies or corporations
allowed TO contract with the owner of any
store whereby employees shall be obliged TO
trade at such store. 1t is made the duty of
the Attorney General on complaint OF viola
tiun of the act, by a petition signed and
sworn to by two or more citizens, residents
Of the county where the offense as sworn to
have been committed, to immediately COM
mence proceedings against offenders by
writ by quo warranto.
This act has already produced considera-
hlc changes in some mining districts and the
hustle made by the company stores work hav
iug subsidized there is the quiet of the grave
about some mining hamlets, save on and
uhOut pay day, when the "foamy'' is on tap.
Another provision for the benefit of the
horny handed is an amendment to section
49, the act of May IS, 1857, which amendment
provides that in addition to the right of
an employC tOprocecd against an employer
refusing or neglecting to pay semi-monthly,
to recover by law, with interest from date
of such am amount due, sucn lachesness is
made Il misdcmeanOr and punishable by Il
line nOE "a exceed 500.
The pGterual character OF this act is also
extended to provide that the assignment of
future wages i Invalid, nor is any agree
meut valiu thai relieves firms, corporations
associations or individuals from the obliga-
rfuu tn pay Semi-lnCnthlN in lawful money
a. -hc United States. Tne Factory lnspec-
tor Is charged with the duties of ipsttuting
action IN the name Of the Commonwealth
against vlolatorS. and on his Ialure to do so
any citizen is authorizcd to do SO in the
insane Of the Commonwealth.
IN order 10 further maize glad the heart of
man, the General Assembly has provided O
"a hRTpnN a ms ntA
more get-atable, a follows in act No. l73:
MAKING WINE WITHOUT LICENSE.
WHEREAS, grape culture is becoming an
important industry IN many portions OF the
state,
And, whereas, certain portion of the
grape crop j. not first-class or marketable
bur can be made into wood wine; there
fore
BE it enacted That it shall be lawful for
the growers of grapes in the Commonwealth
1" manufacture wine from grapes of their
own raising, which are not firSt-class, or
marketable, ard sell said wine to licensed
dealers without taking out or paying a
license for such manufacture or sale.
Thus, little By little, is the horizon of the
agrIcUliuTfst extended. and n lawyer of
good rcpute states that in his opinion the
burden OF proof that wine made by farmers
is not Of spoiled grapes Will be ON the, Com
monwcaltn. This law may tend to blacllen
the eye of liquor trusts. In former times
farmers could sell wine, but the law of 1889
knocked them out.
Act No. 22j stipulates that vinegar offered
FOR sale rs cider vinegar must be pure apple
juice, auu 40 ingredients injurious to health,
such a~ lead, copper or sulphuTic acid shall
be put into il; nor shall any color
ing matter be used, and vine
gar casks, barrels or kegs must be
branded with the name and residence of
the manufacturer, date of manufac cture and
the words cider vinegar" and no vinegar
shall be branded fruit vinegar unless it
be made wholly from apples, grapes or other
fruits. The penalty attached for violation