The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-02-11
Harrisburg Letter.

hAEklShlke. req g. 1871.
EDIroR HERALD
The happenings of week about the State
Capital that are worthy Of being chaonicled,
either Tor the instruction or amusement of
the readers Of weekly paper, are not so
great in numb as any one unaequainted
with the place might suppose. The report
ers for the dailies aim to give to the readers
of their papers a smattering of every thing
that occurs which is an undertaking FAR too
great for the correspondent Of a weekly
journal. We are able, however, 10 gather
up here and there an item that may serve to
Jet your readers know that your correspond
ent is yet alive and endeavoring TO keep you
posted on such matters as are likely most TO
interest them.
Rev. Sam Small lecture in the new Opera
House on Sunday afternoon was an event
many persons who had heard of the style Of
the noted Georgian preacher, but bad never
enjoyed the opportunity Of hearing him.
The house. which is capable OF seating about
INV BTAsDIcs nAS Al-ANA ~ iAo hAAuDoN "a lAtf
iiy, and there was premium on standing
room. The personal appearance of the
speaker was surprise to the writer. who
had pictured him as a short, heavy-set.
black haired, dark-complexioned man. The
reverse in almost every respect proved true.
He is lightly built man, about feet high,
and weighing possibly 80 pounds. He is
a natural orator, being able TO move from
the pathetic to the humorous so quickly as
to have many persons in his audience in
convulsions Of laughter, while tears were
yet streaming down their faces. His theme
for the occasion was his best-"From the
bar room to the pulpit7-and in the nara
tive of his own experience there was much
to inspire hope in the breast of the drunkard
who has fallen into the deepest pit Of ruin
and degradation. He told Of his battles with
the demon Of iniemperance, and bis fruitless
attempts to break the power by which lie
was bound. until the Grace Of God laid hold
upon him, freed him from bis shackles. aud
enabled him TO step - Ia into e new life.
His description Of his entry into his own
home and the manner in which his wife
and children would hide from his presence
and shrink from bis epproaoh, was enough
to melt the hardest hearts and bring tears 10
ewes unaccus;omed to weep. No one can
hear him without being impressed that he
is doing good work.
At the Capitol the usual routine of "BIls
in place, Bills on second reading" bills
on final passage has been going ON steadily
during the week. Toanyone unaccustomed
TO the work of legislation. who is simply
looking on as an idle spectator, it would
seem that the Commonwealth of Pennsylva-
MIA is Of recent birth, and that laws to con-
tinue her existence and insure her prosperity
are an immediate necessity. I sometimes
wonder if it ever occurs to the busy law
makers. who seem to work and worry as
though they actually believe that without
their efforts the Commonwealth must per
ish. that il might prove a great blessing TO
the State If she could be exempt from the
affiiction of legislation for a period of at
least ten years. so that her people might be
able for alittle while q; least to quietly settle
down and acqusint themselves with the
multiplied laws that already burden our
statute books
The dissatisfaction of many OF the mem.
bers Of both Houses of the Legislature with
the attitude of the The senior L. S. Senator
upon the Federal Elections bill still mani.
4 tests itself in various ways. In ths House
on Monday evening Mr.. Thompson, Of But.
Ter, called for the second reading OF his
resolution of censure. All Of the Democrat:
and few Republicans refused to vote on
the motion made by Mr.. Brooks, Of Phila
delphia, TO postpone the consideration o
the resolution. The first call Of the roll
received but 50 responses. This put Speaker
Thompson upon his mettle, and he ordered
the doors closed and the roll called TO ascer
tain IL a quorum was present; i49 members
answered. The Speaker then, in tones tina
gave evidence OF his discrimination. calles
attention 10 the Rule dePriving any membe
refusing TO vote Of the privilege OF tn
House, and ordered the roll to be called FOL
the second vote on the motion. This tim,
the vote was yeas i2s. nays 25
A bill offered by Mr.. Tewksbury, of Col
umbia county. providing for rnanuiactur
er's lien upon tembstones occAsioned goot
deal Of merriment, more than one wouls
expect upon SO grave a subject. Amony
other Suggestions msde for the amendmen
of the bill, wss one that 'it made an unjus
discrimination in favor of the man vh,