The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-04-10
THE LEGISLATURE.
Special Correspondence OF THE COLUMBIAN.
HARRISBURG. April 8, 1901.

Special Correspondence OF THE COLUMBIAN.
HARRISBURG, April s, 1891.
After its rest and vacation of ten
days. the Legislature has gotten to-
gether again, and now seems anxious
to get down to solid work. The Sen
ate did very little, however, on Mon
day night, while the House spent
nearly two hours in the discussion of a
bill to tax undertakers, which was
championed by Mr. Fow, of Philadel-
phia. He made some good points
and witty salles in reply to lnterroga-
tories, of Wherry of Cumberland Lytte
of Huntingdon, Johnson of Cameron,
Mullen of Bedford, and Quiglcy and
Donahue of Philadelphia. At all
times his voice, which is on the fog
horn order, could be heard above the
noise and confusion incident to the
bear garden of Pennsylvania Finally
a motion was made to indefinitely post
pone the bill, and upon this Fow talk
ed against time until the hour of ad-
journment, and thus prevented vote
being reached. 1t was lively debate
all through, and although Fow SEEM
ingly got the best of his opponents, it
is hardly likely the measure will pass.
THE sEMI-MoNTHLY PAY BILL.
There was lengthy discussion in
the House yesterday over the Semi
Monthly Pay Bill, which came up on
final passage. The measure was op-
posed by Mr.. Lytle, Hun tingdon, on
general principles, and by Messrs
Roper, of Lehigh, and Skinner, of
Fulton, because. in their judgment, it
would prove troublesome to the farm
ers. Mr.. Davis, Of Schuylkill, spoke
in favor Of the bill, as did also Mr..
Jones of Allegheny, who said if he
had his way about it he would put the
capitalists in Jail who refused to re-
cognize its provisions. Mr. Christie,
of Northumberland, offered an amend
ment permitting employers and en-
ployees to enter into contract as to
pay day. Mr. Farrell, of Clearheld,
vigorously opposed the amendment,
saying that its effect would be to bene-
fit the corporations and not, the agri-
culturalists. The amendment was not
agreed to, and the bill was then passed
yeas IIS, nays 81.
THE ANTI CONSPIRACY BILL
The bill to relieve clerks, working.
men and other employees from certain
prosecutions for conspiracy also came
up in the House yesterday on final
passage. Mr.. Jones of Allegheny, who
had it in charge. spoke in its favor, de-
claring that its provisions would not
protect workingmen who refused to
permit others to work. 1t passed
yeas 100, nays 6. What the fate of
this a the Semi Monthly Pay Bill will be
in the Senate remains to be seen.
Both will meet with strong opposition
in that body.
AGAINST A BOARD OF EXAMINERS.
Protests were presented by a num-
Der of Senators yesterday against the
passage of the act to establish a State
Board of Medical Examiners. In con-
versation yesterday with one of the
most prominent members of and finest
speakers in the House, he remarked
that he was opposed to the creation
of any more State Boards for this, that
and the other thing. Said he: "They
are only intended to provide soft
berths for some favorites, and l don't
know of single one that is of any real
benefit to the people of the State.
Take for instance the State Board of
Charities. 1t is run pricipally by lot
of Philadelphians. SO that ladada Cad
walder Blddle can draw his $4,000
year and travelling expenses, of what
earthly use is this Board any way? /
think it is time to call halt, and in
stead of establishing any more Boards
the Legislature should lop off the
heads OF most of those now in exist
ence." That members head is level
and some day or other the Board of
Charities and kindred institutions will
receive the worst kind of an excoria-
tion at his hands. Speed the day
when this and other filching institu-
tons on the treasury shall no longer
have being within the limits of
Pennsylvania.