The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1895-05-01
ASSOCIATE JuDGE.
STATE DELEGATE.
DOINGS AT HARRISBURG.

The past week has been one of unusual
activity "on the hill," aud a considerable
step forward has been made i'm Legislative
matters, while several measures received
their death blows, not all of which were
bad ones, either. One of the very just
measures to go down for the lack of
few votes was the bill to provide for a
more equitable basis of distribution of
the common school appropriation. The
larger cities and more populous counties
refused to support it, and only ninety
three votes were recorded for it, lacking
ten of the constitutional majority. Rep
resentative Merrick, who is always found
on the side of the people, and for whom
the cracking of the whip of the bosses
has no terrors, made a determined fight
for the adoption of the bill, and had his
advice been followed there is scarcely
any doubt but that the bill would have
gone through the House. Tioga county
may we'll be proud of her good-nStured
but fearless champion on the floor of the
House.
The Donthell bill TO organize a State
school book board passed the House on
Tuesday. 1t provides for the purchase of
books at the lowest possible figure, aud
after this new board has obtained from
the publishers their best figures and SUBJ
mitted the same to the different school
boards of the State, the said boards can
then adopt the same. In other words, the
bill does not compel school boards to
adopt these prices if they can do better by
private contract. The system shall be in
vogue for five years as an experiment
should it become law.
"Greater Pittsburg'' raised quite
breeze in the House last week, but the
bill passed finally by large majority.
The commercial Importance which the
greater city will achieve will doubtless
extend to all the western portion of the
State and Pittsburg will be the fourth
great city of the union in a short time if
the claims of its friends are realized.
Representative Smiths bill to authorize
Justices of the peace to try certain Grim
inal cases with the aid OF jury passed
finally in the House Tuesday. A number
of the counties of the State are already
working under this law. of which Forest
is one.
The bill introduced by Representative
Harry Mullion, OF Cameron county, au-
thorizing county commissioners to sell to
actual settlers and convey unseated lands
belonging to the several counties. The
bill, as the title implies gives to the COM
missioners the right to sell at a nominal
figure these lands which have come into
fhair thrnnnb eli Of he
owners 10 pay the taxes, to settlers who
wish to possess themselves ofs home or
farm, making it obligatory on the settler
70 clear and improve a certain amount
within five years from the time in which
he buys the land ct the expiration OF
which period he shall be entitled to re-
ceive deed therefor.
The Ways and Means committee re-
ported the tax conference bill to the House
on Thursday, having amended the same
by striking from the list OF taxables,
manufacturing corporations and building
and loan associations. The bill will pro-
baby come on for discussion in a few
days, and no doubt will consume much
of the time between this and final adjourn
ment day. 1t is likely to pass the House.
What the Senate may do with it is hard
to guess.
Congressional apportionment will
doubtless have an inning shortly. The
subcommittee will report to the general
committee early this week a bill which
has been practically agreed upon. Phila-
delphia is given six congressman and
Allegheny three, TO which they are ell
titled. The only change suggested in the
State outside these two counties is in the
present 2sth district, taking Clarion and
Forest from that district, and adding them
To the Venargo- Warren Mexican district
The bill introduced by the writer pro-
viding for the acknowledgment and re-
cording of Surplus Bonds given at Treas.
urer's tax sales, has passed finally in the
Senate and will go to the Governor thii
week.
Mr.. Burrell Of Mercer wants teacher.
who have taught in the public schools iol
so years to receive pension often dollars
month, and his bill to that effect hai
passed second reading. There is as mucl
Justice, and perhaps more, in this mea
sure these pensioning Judges though tn,
House will hardly adopt it, Speaking o
the judges pension grail, It's just possible
that measure will not got through tn,
Senate. 1t is evident its friends hav,
''smelt a mice, and it is To be hoped they
viii profit by the opinions so unanimous
ly expressed by the press and people al
over the State. Even the Philadelphia
papers are beginning TO weaken.
"