The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-02-23
Novel Ideas of
Busy Lawmakers.
Some of the More Interesting
Propositions of Americas Able SOlOns.

During the last campaign the public
was afflicted with all sorts of advertise
ments, certain candidates, particularly
in San Francisco, taking the opportuni-
ty to advertise their private business.
1t is proposed by the Michigan legis-
lature to prevent publishers from col
lecting for publications sent through
the postottice after the subscription
time has passed. Apropos, the Chica-
go Herald pertinently remarks: pub
fishers who do business on business
basis shut off subscribers the day
subscription lapses. Those who can
afford to carry dead subscriptions and
trust to luck to collect are decreasing
In number every year. Subscribers
ought not to be liable beyond the date
of a subscription, and ought not to
get anything beyond the date of sub
scription."
1t is proposed in New York state to
restrict the speed of bicyclers, even
when they are riding on country roads,
and in broad daylight. The restric-
tions are so cumbersome that the sport
will be killed. as far as recreation is
concerned, providing the law is en-
forced.
Up in Michigan Senator Fitzpatrick
has liquor traffic bill which is a hot
one. 1t provides for uniform tax OF
$500 on the business of retainng liquors.
Not only that, but it provides that any
person convicted of II violation of the
act shall forfeit the tax paid and be
forever debarred from engaging in the
business.
Illinois solons have negatived the bill
making insanity cause for divorce.
An Eminent Domain Amendment.
Senator Anthony has introduced a
bill in the Illinois assembly making an
important amendment to the law of
eminent domain as it is applied to con-
demnation proceedings. Under the law
as 1t stands in that state at present if
railroad company condemns property
for its right of way and takes an appeal
from the judgment awarding the dam
ages the company is required to give
bond for the payment of whatever dam
ages may finally be awarded in the
case. Senator Anthony proposes to
amend this law by requiring the COM
pany, when the appeal is taken, to pay
to the county treasurer the amount of
damages awarded by the lower court
and to give bond for any further dam
ages that may be assessed. A peculiar
provision of the amendment permits
the property owner to collect the
amount of money SO paid to the county
treasurer without giving bond for its
restitution in the event that the judg-
ment should be reversed. Such collec-
ton on the part of the property own
ers Is not permitted to interfere with
the progress of the case in the appel
late court.
FOR Il Teachers Pension Fund.
pension and retirement fund for
city school teachers and employees will
be established in Illinois if Represen-
tative Eakin's little bill goes through.
1t shall consist of all withheld pay; of
| per cent. of all salaries; of all gifts,
donations and bequests; and of all in
crement; and the disbursement is put
in the hands of board consisting of
the school board, the superintendent Of
schools and two members to be select
ed by the teachers themselves. The
bill provides further that the board of
education shall have power, by a ma
jority vote of all its members, to re-
tire any female teacher or other female
school employe who shall have taught
in public schools or rendered service
therein for period aggregating twen-
ty years, and any male teacher or male
school emplOye who shall have taught
or rendered service for period aggre-
eating twenty-five years, and such
teacher or school employe shall
have the right after said term of SER
vice to retire and become a beneficiary
under this act, provided, however, that
three-fifths of said term of service shall
have been rendered by said beneficiary
within the limits Of the municipality
where said board ofeducation has juris-
diction. Each teacher and school en-
ploye so retired shall thereafter be en-
titled to receive as an annuity one-half
the usual salary paid to said teacher
or school employe at the date of such
retirement, provided, however, that
such annuity shall not exceed the sum
of $1,000.