The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-04-25
a PENROSE CONNITTEE
10 Investigate Alleged Corruption
,aA...4 in Philadelphia.
A BoMBsHELL IN TIE SENATE.

The Philadelphia Leader who was "Turned
Down" in Favor of Mayor Warwick Makes
an Earnest Speech In Favor of His Res
olution to slit the Charges.
HARRISBURG, April 24--The municipal
affairs Of Philadelphia arc to be investi-
gated by o senate committee Yesterday
afternoon Senator Penrose sprung II reso-
lution In the senate providing for com
mittee OF five to be appointed by the presi-
dent pro tenn. to investigate tho charges
that the councils of the Quaker City arc
Influenced by powerful combinations to
obtain valuable franchises and privileges
without adequate compensation to the
oity Senator Penroso made an enrnest
speech in favor OF the resolution. He said
1t was introduced with desire to investi-
gate the workings Of the new city charter,
under which Philadelphia has been operat-
ing since 1886 II abuses and corruptions
existed under Its Operations they ought to
be known and exposed. He cited the re-
form In the operation Of English munich
palities, and urged that something be done
TO purify Philadelphia and relieve the
cloud which hangs over It, The resolu-
tion was unanimously referred to the COM
mittee on judiciary general.
The presentation Of the resolution was
brought about by memorial from the
Citizens Municipal association of Phila
delphia, asking for the appointment of a
special committee to investigate the ex-
eoutive and legislative departments of
Philadelphia. He said the proposed in
vcstigatitn n was desired by Performers"
and that the only thing they did was to
create divisions In the Republican ranks.
Mr.. Penroso replied that Senator Os-
bourn's speech was nothing more than a
harangue. Mr. Osbourn asked II Mr..
Penrose intended that as an H. elt. Mr..
Penrose replied THAT while some speeches
were eloquent they were nevertheless ba-
rangues.
Mr.. Osbourn said with much warmth
that II the resolution of Mr.. Penrose was
adopted he would not hesitate much to re.
sign his seat In the senate, as the proposed
Investigation was an insult to the mayor
of Philadelphia and the judges of tn.
courts of that city. The resolution was
sent to the committee and the exciting in.
cident ended
The offering Of the resolution at this
time was wholly unexpected, and created
great sensation In official and political
circles here.
Aspirant for the Republican nomination
for mayor Of Philadelphia, his turn
down" Mt tho eleventh hour in favor ol
Charles f. Warwick, the present incum
bent, being matter Of history. Senator
Penrose is regarded here as ono of Senator
Quay's Representatives. and after David
Martin rebeled against the leadership OF
that gentleman and refused to support
Senator Penrose's candidacy for the may
oralty, 1t was rumored that the latter
would at once offer a resolution calline
for Legislative inquiry into the methods
by which contracts and franchises In Phil
adelphia have been distributed among Ger
tain favored persons and corporations
This was looked for in the latter part o
February, but the matter had been allowed
TO hang fire so long that the resolution o.
yesterday afternoon had almost the effect
of q bombshell.
1t will be remembered that soon aftel
tho defeat of Mr.. Penrose for the noinina
tion Senator Quay smarting under tn,
defeat he had received at the hands o
David Martin, arose in his place in th,
United States SENATE, and, without men
tiOning the name Of Mr.. Martin severed,
arraigned that gentleman as the paid rep
% resentative of q corporation which had or
Quay is coming here from Florida earl,
next week, and 1t is believed that his ex
pected arrival had something to do witt
the offering of the resolution at this time
Previous to the presentation OF the Pen
rose resolutions the house bill to prohibi
teachers in the public schools from wear
Ing religious gHrbs, etc, was reported
fayorably, and number of bills passed
the senate finally, among them: I,
authorize cities to purchase and appro
priate private property for public parl
purposes; to change the manner of Great
ing new townships by making II the dut,
Of the court to order vote Of the quail
fed electors on the question; to authoriz
soldiers and sailors to bring suit auains
counties, boroughs and townships 70
money duo them on account of their en-
listment; to repeal the local option law ii
Belle Vernon township, Fayette county
The bill to limit the time OF labor of EN-
ployes of cable, traction and electric rail
ways to ten hours day was defeated
The city members had their turn in th
house yesterday. They buried deep th
pet scheme of the farmers for the dIstribu
tion of the school funds. 1t was the frs
real defeat the rural members have re
ceived this session. Their leaders are In
dignant and threaten dire revenge |
was thought the scheme, which is bes
known as the Smith bill, would go througl
without opposition 1t was then intende
TO amend 1t in the senate to meet the ot
3ections of the city members. But thi
plan miscarried, and the bill was killed Of
final passage by vote of "a to 81, less thai
l08 members voting in the affirmative
Tho bill changed the basis of the schoo
appropriation by distributing one thir
according to the number of teachers nc
tually employed for full term, and tn
balance according to the number of tax
ables.
Five bills passed finally in the house
among them one taxing aliens who hay
been in the state three months 80 a yeal
and those over five years IS, for the In
proyement of the public roads The bill
prohibiting changes in school books often
or than once in five years after their ador
tion was defeated.