Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-11
MANY PARTY PLEDGES
Remain to Be Fulfilled By Both Sides
Of the Legislature.
SHORT TINE LEFT FOR THEN.
Ballot and Tax Reform, Free School Book
and Other Promises.
An EARNEST EFFORT MUST BIZ MADl
iynox A srAyy CORRESPONDENT,

iYBoN srAyy coRREsPoNpExT.I
HARRISBURG, May 10.-If the Legis.
Iature is to adjourn on May %, as now ap-
pears 70 be the general impression, there
are number Of things which must be gone
abou ut at once, and in earnest, If they are to
be done at all. Not one of the pledges
made to the people by both parties in the
last campaign has as yet been fulfilled, and
if they are to be carried out in the spirit. if
not in the letter, of the promise, it Is time
an earnest effort was made in that direc-
ton.
Ballot reform, tax equalization, State ap-
preparation for roads, jury expenses and
free school books, with increased sppropria-
tions for the common schools-all these
were promised in one or both of the party
platforms, and but little has been thus far
accomplished in carrying them into effect.
Amended to Death.
Ballot reform, after passing the House
with hurrah, IS changed in the Senate
Committee until it is practically unrecog-
nizable, and even its friends repudiate Il.
The Taggart tax bill, prepared by q costly
mission, while just and fair in its CEN
tral idea and main provisions, is loaded
down by two or three foolish and unneces-
sary requirements which lay it open to the
charge of being ''inquisitorial" and "im-
practicable" and such q storm has been
raised on these inconsequential features as
now seems likely to defeat the whole meas
ure. It would have been infinitely better
to have amended the bill In the House, and
yielded on these points, than to lose 1t en-
tirely. Even should the Boyer bill, increas-
ing the State tax on capital stock, be substi-
tuted and parsed, 1t will, while in q meas
uye relieving the farming elements Of their
burden, never satisfy them, for tits simply
BY the State authorities only, while the
country demands that 1t be brought under
the taxing power of the local authorities.
The appropriation for roads has not yet
| passed, and even II the Governor signs the
road law II 10 q question whether the State
should furnish money 10 be practically y
wasted under its loose and defective require
ments. The free school book bill is not yet
o law. nor is that providing for State sup
port for the INDECENT insane, although its
passage seems probable. The amount 10 be
granted the public schools has not been
Axed. The revision Of the mining laws for
both bitumlnous and anthracite regions has
yet 10 be performed. The bills were pre-
pared BY commissions created ct the cost Of
the State, and speedy action 10 necessary 10
secure their passage.
VIII Soon Go Through.
The apportionmsnt bills are fairly we'll
under way, and will likely all 20 through
In the shape the majority wants them passed,
unless the Senatorial bill strikes snag In
the Senate. Appropriation bills srs In
good shape. 50 far as the House IL concerned.
and a. the Senate works more rapidly than
the Lower House, they will soon be got out
Of the way. SeoreV Of general bills on both
calendars must Of necessity tail. Nobody
will be greatly disappointed, except those
whose introduced them and their constituents
at home who desire them, but the State
won't suffer from their failure to become
| laws.
But upon the questions of ballot reform,
tax equalization, roads, schools, free text
books and the various other measures which
were promised the people, the Legislature
has not yet sized up to the requirements oil
the hour, and unless 1t takes hold of its duty
in earnest during the few days which yet re.
main in which 1t has 10 do its work, ad.
journment will find it with pledges unful
filled and duties not performed. For thil
there will be q responsibility which som,
one will have to bear. HENRY HALL.