The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-05-29
THE LEGISLATURE.
Special Correspondence of THE COLUMBIAN
HARRISBURG, MAY, 81, 1901.

Inc days OF session OF the Leglsla-
tue of 1891, are fast nearing their
end. Within the next thirty-six hours
we can say Yale ct yale. And yet,
judging from the manner of transact
ing business in the Senate and House
last night, stranger would have sup
posed the session was only beginning
instead of ending. Cable has been
the prime move, although work
was of primary importance. l need
not say to you again that have never
known a legislative body since the
adoption of the constitution of 1897
which has done SO lit e. am neither
hide-bound nor partisan in my feelings
or utterances when the remark is
made that this of all has proved the
least consequential the least import
ant Of all Legislatures which have ever
assembled 1t has been throughout in
the control Of ring of bosses. which
must bring the greatest of discredit
upon the men who have been sent
here to make laws for the great Com
monwealth of Pennsylvania.
Last night, nearly reaching away
into the wee small hours of the morn
ing, but little of benefit or conse-
quence to the taxpayers of Pennsyl-
vania was done. This sort of legis-
lature may be all right, but l doubt
whether the people of Pennsylvania
will approve Of it when they come to
cast their ballots next November.
Mind you, | am not saying there are
not good, honest, conscientious Re-
publicans in the Legislature, but l do
say that ''bosses have ruled them from
beginning to end.
Last night the Senate devoted to
the final passage of the Appropria-
tion bills. Cowardly like these bills
have been passed, and then the at
tempt is made to shift the response
bility upon the shoulders of the Gov
ernor. He is equal to the require
ments of the occasion, and more than
ne pet scheme to flch money from
'e State Treasury will meet with his
sapproval. Governor Pattison will
% his duty, and, whether it meets the
commentator of friend or foe, his
veto will be exercised in the interest of
the constitution and thereby OF the
people.
The Baker Ballot Reform bill passed
the Senate last night. 1t is emascu-
lated of many of its best features, and
the end is that its author will be like
Japhet, Gin search Of father" My
own impression is that Mr.. Baker was
never honest or sincere in his advo-
cacy of the bill Of which he is sup
posed to be the author. Should it
ever receive the signature of the Gov.
ernor, it will never amount to shucks.
1t was never intended to be for the
best interests Of the people, and they
will find that out before many suns
rise and set, many moons wax and
wane, many stars twinkle and disap-
pear.
There was pitiable spectacle in the
House last night. Mr. Taggart, of
Montgomery, the author of the Tag
gart or Grangers' bill for equal taxa
ton, was the first to move for the final
passage of the Boyer bill. Oh. how
he was twitted by Messrs Wherry,
Skinner and others but he arose in
his seat, flushed in the face, and ad-
vocated the passage of the Boyer bill.
There are many ''small potatoes" in
the Sen:te and House, but Taggart by
his conduct and course has made him
self the smallest of small potatoes in a
small hill. He tried to pose in the be-
ginning of the session as an opponent
to the reelection of Senator Cameron,
even went so far as to announce him
self as candidate for United States
Senator, but the little boom he started
soon petered out, and throughout the
session he has been of no consequence
whatever. He has been for Taggart
first, last and all the time, and even
should he become Chief of the Agri-
cultural Department, which is pro-
l'OoSu " DC otditCN, IC Will DC tllS
same small although great in avordu-
pois) Taggart
The terrible fall of Bardsley the
City Treasurer of Philadelphia, has
caused much surprise. AT the State
Capitol he was always considered tc
have been an honest man, although q
gabbler from way back. His pecula
tons now amount, it is said, to $3,
100000. l was talking with a promi
nent Republican Senator on Monday
night, and he expressed his fears fol
Republican success in Pennsylvania
next fall, more especially in Philadel
phia. He was wont to swear by Johr
Bardsley, but he says his and tn,
conduct of his masters will make mat
ters very uncertain for Republican
success next fall. The defalcations O
Bardsley and his pals may, after all
prove great boom to the people O