The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1895-03-08
HARRISBURG LETTER
Our State Lawmakers Making
Haste Very Slowly.
WORK FOR A STEERING COMMITTEE

The Governor and Speaker walton Decide
on That Mode OF Proceduro--Tho visit
of Senator Quay aud Its Probable Eject
on Legislative Work.
Especial Correspondence)
HARRISBURG, March 4.--Thc legislature
is making progress slowly. Neither body
did anything OF Importance tho past week,
and If this lack OF energy continues tho
final adjournment will not come before
the middle of the summer. In the senate
q few bills passed the final stage, the most
important being the Marshall pipe limo re-
peal bill and the measure creating u de-
partmcnt of agriculture. In the house the
entire week was given up to useless de-
bate and petty wrnngles over trifles. The
Farr compulsory education bill and bills
decreasing the salaries of district attor-
neys and changing the poor system OF tho
state so rs TO prevent counties not having
poorhouses from farming OUT their poor
TO ncighboring counties passed second
reading after much debate. The need OF n
wise, clear headed and honest leader In
the house is more apparent daily, and un.
less something is done very soon there will
be trouble.
Governor Hastings realizes this and has
decided that the only hope Of accomplish
ing anything is to have a steering COM
mittee to direct its affairs. The governor
had conference last week with Speaker
Walton, at which the situation was care.
fully discussed and 1t was decided that
such committee was absolutely indispcn-
sible, and Mr.. Walton will appoint the
committee during the week. A resolution
will be considered this evening that the
legislature adjourn sine die ON April 25.
II was offered by Mr.. Niles OF Tioga, u
member of the rules committee, but there
isn't the least doubt but that IL will be
overwhelmingly defeated II the calen-
dars are to be cleared of the bills now on
them the Legislature cannot possibly get
away before the first week In June.
The New Revenue Bill.
THE house ways and means committee
is giving three hearings week on the
new revenue bill drafted by the state tax
conference. The manufacturers and do
mestic building and loan associations are
opposed to tho proposition, and It. looks
now as II it will never pass second read
ing. 1t would be great relief to the agri-
culture classes If 1t were to become law,
ufacturers The bill transfers to the ceun-
ties the whole of the proceeds of the per-
sonal property tax, of which the counties
now get only thrce-fourths and the tax
upon vehicles, all mercantile licenses, ped
dlers' licenses, taxes upon the fees and
emolumcnts Of county officers, and upon
original writs. 1t transfers to the Dor.
oughs and townships the taxes upon horses
a l. 81 4 .lS I
cense fees of billiard rooms, pool rooms
and theaters.
The effect Of the revenues will be that
about 81, 100000 will be diverted from the
state to counties and minor civil divisions.
This deficit in the revenues will be met by
an increase in the taxes from corporations
In. 1885, when the bill goes into effect, of
s7500O0. The increase in the taxation of
banks will be about $4,000 by the taking
away of the option. The tax on building
and loan associations will be 500 900; on
manufacturing and other corporations,
s250000, and from various other sources
100000 more, leaving an actual deficit OF
only about $500, 900, 1t is estimated that
the increase in the number of corportions,
and in their value resulting in increased
taxes will more than wipe out this deficit
The house general Judiciary committee
is wrestling with n civil reform bill, which
was introduced by Mr., Moore, of Chester
by request of the State Civil Service Re
form association. The measure is pat
termed after the United States law, and
puts all state and many county employe:
under civil service rules. A commission
of three is provided to make the necessary
examinations.
Secretary Lee, of the state board o.
health, was in the city last week lobbyine
for the bill allowing the board discreto,
as to the use TO be made of the money t
be appropriated to 1t. AS the law nov
stands the money is appropriated fo
specific purposes, and no matter how urg
ent the need the board is unable to use
surplus in one branch of its work to max,
good u deficiency in another. The amoun
of the appropriation will be embodied in
bill which will be introduced in the hous
and has not yet been decided upon. 1t ha
been agreed, however that the salary o
the secretary shall be raised from 81 600 I,
5000, Five thousand was asked for, bu
the amount was cut down TO 50, 900. Penn
sylvania's appropriation to the board III
past two years for all purposes was 50 OCC
Massachusetts appropriates $4,000, Ney
York, $4,000; New Jersey, $4,000; Mary
land. $4,000, and Alabama, Illinois an
Minnesota, $1,000,
May Veto the "BIrd Book" Bill.
Governor Hastings has not yet disposet
of the bird book bill, which has been o.
his desk since last Tuesday Those VIII
speak 10y authority say ho has decided t
veto the measure on the ground that tn
public revenues are not sufficient TO wal
rant an expenditure Of s25, 900 or $50, 600 fC
the publication of q picture book. Stat
Ornithologist Warren, by whom the boo
will be prepared, should the bill become
law has submitted to the governor est
mates of the cost, which show that it cal
not be printed for less than 5000. III
grangers are urging the governor TO al
prove the bill.
The bill prohibiting teachers from wea
ing a religious garb of any kind in IL
public schools has been read the first tin
in the house and will be considered on Sc
ond reading next Wednesday, and thil
reading and final passage the followir
Tuesday. The Democrats are opposed
the proposition, and claim that If 1t b
a