The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-03-22
From the State Capitol.

their own manufacture in original packages
Of not less than forty gallons without being
required to take out license.
The bin prohibiting the killing Of wild
deer for period of three years passed third
reading, as did the bill authorizing the cleo
ton of tax collectors in boroughs and town
ships for the term of three years
A bill has been introduced in the Senate
providing that constabIes who are required
/ by law TO visit once q month places where
liquor is sold shall be paid fifty cents for
each place visited and six cents per mile for
each mile travelled
The bill extending the minimum school
term to seven months provoked long discus
sions in the Senate Wednesday. Senator
Critchfeld was against it, and Senator Lam
dis. of Lancaster county, raised his voice in
lis favor. On final passage the bill was de-
feated-yeas, Is; nays. 20.
The Legislature has been in session eleven
weeks, and during that time only three
bills have reached the Governor. Two Of
these provide for the payment of the ex-
penses of committees, which the Governor
would not allow two years ago. because the
amounts alleged TO have been expended
were not itemized.
In the Higby-Andrews contest in the
House Wednesday, the majority report de-
claring Andrews entitled to the seat, receiv-
ed III votes to " against but twelve Re
publicans voting with the Democrats 10 seat
Highly. The contest hinged on the right of
townships to vote in boroughs aud as in the
Greevy-Scull Congressional contested cleo
ton case. the house decided that it is un-
constitutional.
Senator Critchfield has introduced bill in
the Senate asking for an appropriation for
repairs to the stone bridge over the Yough-
iogheny river at Somerfield. In last weeks
HERALD we published history of this an
cient landmark and of the necessity Of saw
ing il from the ravages of time. Senator
Critchfeld can be depended upon TO exert
every effort to secure an appropriation from
the State for that purpose.
The Junior Order of American Mechanics,
which numbers 1000 members in Pennsyl-
vsnia, has, through its Legislative Commit
tee, demanded the passage of the Farr Free
Text Book bill and the giving Of an sppro-
priation by the State sufficient to pay for
the books. This is the right stand to take
1t isa noblesta and we hope the Junior
Order of American Mechanics will insist
that the bill be passed through both branch
es of the Legislature and sent to the Govern
or.
The bill appropriating S625 900 for the
bull ling of fire proof Library building and
alterations and improvements in the Capt.
tol has passed both branches OF the Legisla-
ture and now goes to the Governor for his
signature. OF course the Governor will APP
prove the bill. He has been in favor of this
scheme for years, and will no doubt be glad
that it is about TO be carried to a successful
completion under his administration. The
necessity ofa fire proof library building has
long been apparent.
A bill has been introduced in the Legisla-
ture providing a new system for the election
of members ofthe State Board of Agricul-
ture. In a general way il provides that the
various agricultural, horticultural and other
societies in any county shall elect the mem
Der of the beard for that county. The mea-
sure is endorsed by the State Grange, but the
present members of the Board of Agricul-
ture are not happy over the prospect of be-
ing legislated out Of Office. There will be
lively fight before the session is much older
on this bill. Worthy Master Rhone and 9TH
er rprominent grangers held me citing there
to further its passage.
The Harrisburg correspondent of the
PittsDurg TINES outlines proposed amend
ment to the Constitution, about to be pre-
sented TO the Legislature, providing for a
reduction in the humber of members of the
House. 1t fixes the basis OF representation
at one member for each county, with one
additional member for each $1,000 of popu-
lation. This would reduce the membership
from the present number Of 2O4 to about
40. OF the eighiy-four to be dropped
Philadelphia would lose eighteen, leaving
her representation twenty-one, while Al
legheny, which now hes sixteen, would be
cut down to ten. Outside Of these the re-
duction would chiefly affect the larger count
ieJ Of the interior
Last week the bill making women eligi-
bic to appointment as notaries public was
sent to the Governor. 1t will be recalled
in consequence Of blunder on the part of
the Senate. Two bills exactly alike prOvid-
ing for the appointment OF women notari,s,
were introduced into both branches of the
Legislature. The Senate amended the bill
before il by inserting a provision for the
marriage Of woman while holding COM
mission. The House passed its bill without
amendments and sent it 70 the Senate,
which passed it without thinking of the mar
rage provision. As things stand now,
should the Governor sign the bill before
him, women nOtaries may be appointed, but
should they marry, they lose their commits
sion, and must, if they desire to continue
notaries, go to the trouble and expense Of
applying the second time.
The favorable report of the Judges Pen
sion bill by the Senate Judiciary Committee
at Harrisburg has encouraged the friends of
that measure in the belief that it will psss
both Houses Of the Legislature and become
law within a few weeks. There are num-
Der of jurists throughout the state who come
within its provisions, and ii is the desire of /!
the political leaders Of both parties that the
! bill may heeome law in order that some Of
the older members of the Judiciary may
take the benefit Of it, retire and thus make |
way for younger lawyers who have been po-
litically active and who are ambitious to at |
tain seats on the bench According to the |
terms ofIhe billsny Judge a Court Of |
Law, who has served in that capacity for p |
years, or longer, and attained the age OF 20 |
years, may resign his position, or retire at |
the end of his present term and draw his sal
ary in full for the remainder of his life
The Farr free textbook bill requiring /
school directors or controllers to furnish 1
school books and other school supplies free
of cost pissed the house on second reading. /
The bill ELECTED a warm discussion as TO the /
methods by which the books shall be fur
nished. Several members were Of the belief
that the cos; ought to be imposed upon the
school districts while others believed it
should be borne by the state. The advocates
of The bill declared that the opposition to it
was started by lobbyists on the fl Dor of the
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