Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1891-02-13
Harrisburg Notes.

On Thursday of last week the old "Blu'
Laws Of 1894 were under discussion in the
House, and indications pointed to theil
amendment
On Friday several petitions were reac
asking for the removal Of the quarantine
station on the Delaware river to another
point; the House resolved to hereafter
meet at 10 a. m; Mr.. Gillam's fence bill
was placed on the calendar; bill was in
troduced making it a criminal offense to
wilfully give newspaper publishers or
reporters libellous information; also one to
prohibit the use of air guns.
On Monday, Rep. Fow appeared before
the sub committee of the Ways and Means
Committee to argue in behalf of his amend
ment to the Brooks law. He said he
wanted to strengthen that law. He wants
remonstrances sworn to and that man
may have both retail and wholesale
license. Applications for a license, he
held, should have Is instead of II signers.
Fow's bill would take away from the court
discretionary power as to place and
necessity. Constables are to get $40 for
seeing that the liquor laws are being
obeyed.
The usual number Of bills that will never
he heard from again were introduced IN
both houses that night The House adopt
ed resolution providing for adjournment
from Friday to next Wednesday on account
of the election. The Governor announced
the appointment of Richard Edwards, of
Montgomery, to be Commissary General.
He also announced his approval of the
Joint resolutions relative to the death of
ex- x-Treasurer Butler, the school book trust,
and the enlargement or rebuilding of
public buildings.
THE NEW ROAD BILL.
The proposed road law formulated by
the Road Commission and to be considered
by the Legislature, provides that road
taxes must be paid in cash. The system of
allowing farmers to ''work OUT their tax is
abolished, but compensation is offered in
declaring that preference must be given to
road taxpayers who shall desire it in the
employment of labor on the highways
For such labor cash will be paid.
The bill provides that every township in
the State shall elect three road supervisors,
without salary, to serve for three years,
the term of one official expiring each year,
the quarter sessions court to have authority
to fill vacancies. The supervisors must
organise on the first Monday in March and
levy road tax not to exceed 10 miles on
the dollar, unless the court shall authorize
an increased tax.
Townships can be divided into road dis
tricts, with road master for each district.
who shall see that all work done in his dis
trict is in accordance with plans, and over
see the men at work. The supervisors
shall fix days wages and hours of work
for road masters and workmen, and shall
control the employment of workmen,
giving preference to taxpayers between Is
and Sc years Of age, resident in each dis
trict.
No unnaturalized person shall be employ
ed on the public works, while all ma
chinery and tools needed may be pur-
chased by the supervisors, discretion being
given them to join with other townships
in the joint ownership of machinery.
1t is provided that roadbeds shall be six
teen feet wide and ten inches higher in the
center than at the sides, with drains at the
side and other provisions for keeping the
roadbed in proper shape when once COR
struc4ed Supervisors must report annual
ly to the county engineer upon the amSHnt
of money expended and the character of
work done during the year
The supervisors mnst construct all high-
ways by contract, and may also let to the
lowest and best bidder the contract for
opening, making or repairing for all other
township roads and bridges. Such con-
tracts for maintenance may be for three
years.
All counties. except Philadelphia, shall
compensation being $3.50 per day fer each
day actually employed. The engineer
mnst pass upon all road petitions and serve
upon all road reviews. He shall designate
the road in each township to be macad-
amized or otherwise permanently improv-
ed, such roads to be selected in manner
as far as practicable so as to form con-
tinuous highway between the most pop
ulous point in the country to the bound
aries thereof, and to points ON other inn
portant roads or railroad stations 80 as to
best accommodate through and local trav-
el. Such roads shall thereafter be des-
ignated as ''highways"
Careful provision is made concerning the
manner Of opening roads and crossing of
railroads and inspection of work County
engineers must make annual reports to the
Secretary Of Internal Affairs.
All money appropriated by the Legisla-
ture for road Purposes shall be divided
among the townships in proportion to the
amount Of road taxes collect and expended
the preceding year. The supervisors Of
each township shall set apart at least 25
per cent of all road taxes each year, to-
gether with all money received from the
State, as separate fund for the construct
ion of macadam or other permanent road.
Strict regulations are made concerning
the occupancy of roads by pipe lines or
conduit lines of any character County
engineers and road supervisors are prohib-
tied from furnishing supplies or being
otherwise pecuniarily interested in work
done upon the highways under penalty
Of fine not exceeding $500 or imprison-
m0nt for six months