The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-04-12
COTTON Bills HARD Lines
Proceedings Of Senate and House OF
Representatives,.
GOULD AND LYTLE LOCK HORNS
Sessions in the House Eulivcned py
Spirited Arguments and Personal Al.
lusions-D Distinguished Guests Pres
cut-Thc Swcetshop Bill.
Special to the Scranton Tribune.

Special to the Scranton Tribune.
Harrisburg, April 1.-THE Cotton bill
20 substitute electrocution for hanging
in the nllction of the death penalty
made narrow escape from defeat on
second reading today in the house. Had
II not been for the courtesy of Speaker
(pro tenn Ritter in withdrawing his
decision that the bill falls and allow
Ing Mr.. Cotton to move to postpone for
the present the measure would have
been dropped from the calendar. AS
It Is the bill can never pass third read
ing unless there is a decided change
OF sentiment among the members.
The bill provides for the infiiction of
the death penalty in the same manner
as required by the New York law, eX-
cept that 1t does not exclude news
paper reporters from witnessing the
execution. When the measure was
taken up Mr.. Fow called attention to
It's provisions and said it was one that
ought not to become a law. The bill
was voted down by a viva voce vote
and the speaker pro TEN. announced its
death. Mr.. Cotton was on his feet be-
fore the decision was announced to
move to postpone for the present. Mr..
Ritter withdrew his decision and Mr..
Fow moved to postpone indefinitely.
This was defeated and a motion to post
pone for the present prevailed. Mr..
Cotton may now call the bill up at his
pleasure.
A feature of the days proceedings
was reception in the hall of the house
to Mrs. Hastings, wife of the governor.
Mrs. Hartranft. widow of the distin-
guished soldier and governor, and
Charles Emery Smith. editor of the
Philadelphia Press and ex-minister to
Russia A recess was taken for twenty
minutes in order that the members
might pay their respects to the party.
Mrs. Hastings. with a party of ladies',
entered the house during the morning
proceedings and took seats in the rear
of the chamber Soon after three
pages, under the guidance of Speaker $
Clerk HUM, marched through the hall
to where the ladies were sitting and
presented each with bouquet of beau
tiful flowers Just after this incident
Mr.. Smith was escorted to seat in
front of the chamber When their
presence became known resolution
was adopted that the house take re-
cess. After every body had shaken
hands with the visitors the house re-
sumed its business,
The Nickel joint resolution amend
ing the constitution to abolish spring
election. which was on the calendar for
final passage on special order, was
overwhelmingly defeated. The bill to
establish a state school directors asso-
citation and allowing directors mileage
who attend the associations conven-
ton, which was to have been held in
this city annually, was also defeated
on second reading. Another bill which
met this fate was the measure provid-
ing for the election of prothonotaries'
clerks, registers of wills and recorders
of deeds in counties where these Offices
are held by one person. A bill to pro-
hibit the sale of cigarettes to minors
and the measure providing for inspec-
tors Of weights and measures passed
second reading.
Gould and Lytle Wranglc.
An exciting exchange of personalities
occurred this morning in the house be-
tween Messrs Gould, of Erie, and Lytle,
of Huntingdon, during the discussion
on the bill to prevent minors from OBJ
tanning intoxicating liquors and making
1t a misdemeanor to procure the same
by falsely representing the age of a
minor, or knowingly or negllgentiy
furnishing intoxicating liquors to min
ors.. During the discussion Mr.. Lytle
claimed that the bill was framed in the
interest of the liquor Mr.. Gould, who
had the measure in charge. replied that
this was not a fact, that the bill was
to protect legitimate hotel and saloon
keepers from being victimi2ed by black
mailers He said Mr.. Lytle's remarks
were entirely uncalled for.
The member from Huntington then
took the floor and attacked the gentle
man from Erie. He characterized Mr..
Gould's remarks as puny effort and
scarcely worth a reply. Concluding,
Lytle said the attack of Mr.. Gould $
was blackguardism. The bill was vot-
ed down on second reading. Then Mr..
Gould took the floor on a question of
persnal privilege and replied to Mr..
Lytle. Mr.. Gould said the member
from Huntingdon was accustomed to
reading to the members of the house a
lecture and expecting them to be sup
pressed. But he would not be sup
pressed. He accused Lytle Of descend
ing to the depths of the lowest petit
fogers In the lowest court in thus at
tacking him. He disliked personali-
ties. but he wanted to say that he had
long considered the matter of intro
lucing resolution requesting the COM
mittee on rules to set apart portion
each day to permit Mr. Lytle to amend
and correct his record.
Governor Hastings today approved
the Baker sweatshop bill. This meas
nre provides for eight factory inspec-
tors to inspect tenement houses in
which cigars. cigarettes and clothing
are manufactured