The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-02-13
work OF THE LAWMAKERS
The Circnit Court Bill Is introduced
in the House.
A FIGHT OVER FORESTRY BILL
MIR. Vaughan Introduces u Measure TO
Amend Constitution in Regard to
Treatment OF Special Laws-Bills
Passed on Third Reading.
Special to the Scranton Tribune.

Special to the Scranton Tribune.
Harrisburg, Feb. l2.-The senate COM
mittee on mines and mining this even
ing heard the opponents of the Coyle
bill to establish a state bureau with a
commissioner, deputy and inspectors
galore all assigned good fat salaries.
The main argument presented was that
the present law. which was passed two
years ago, as compromise between
the operators and miners, is working
satisfactorily and that this bill will
only saddle useless expense on the
state.
The committee took no action, but II
is intimated that majority is against
the measure Among those appearing
before the committee We're Mine In
speotors Williams, of wilkes Barre
James Roderick, of Scranton; James
Black, of Idlewild; Charles Corners, OF
Uniontown; Bernard Callahan, Of Con-
nellsville; Mr.. Jenkins, of Irwin; Henry
Lautitt. of Monongahela City, and Mr..
Underwood of Cleartield.
The Philadelphia Fight.
"Dick" Quay slipped quietly into the
city this morning from Washington
and was soon after closeted with
Senator Penrose, Lieutenant Governor
Lyon. Chris l.. Magee and Magistrate
Durham. The purpose of his visit none
of the gentleman would state. but
those who profess to speak by authori-
ty declare it was to head off the pro-
posed movement for a Legislative COM
mittee to investigate the alleged abuses
in the city councils of Philadelphia
complained of by the municipal league
of that city in its memorial to the
legislature. 1t has been determined by
the league to file another petition for
Lexow committee. but not until after
the mayorality election. Mr.. Quay left
at midnight for his home at Beaver.
The Various Road Bills.
There is a uniformity of sentiment
among the members Of the legislature
that the roads of the commonwealth
are susceptible of great improvement
and that some legislation is necessary
to provide a better than the existing
system. but there is wide diversity
of opinion as to the character of the
act that should be passed. There ale
three road bills before the legislature
but none of them is likely to commaad
a constitutional majority unless condi-
tions should change before the close OF
the session. Senator Finn has bill
which contemplates an Improvement u
the public roads at the expense of the
counties. As recently modified, it au-
thorizes the commissioners to levy al
annual tax of not less than l mill noI
more than mills on the dollar on al
real and personal property to secure q
fund from which to pay all costs, dam
ages and expenses required for public
road purposes This bill has made
more progress than any Of the others
but it has not reached the crucial test
of final passage. Senator Brown, ol
Westmoreland. is the father of the bi!
providing that a competent engineer ol
surveyor shall be elected and shall give
$4,000 security for the faithful per
formance of his duties. In each town
ship a supervisor shall be elected, int;
whose competency the county super
visor is required to inquire before h,
can enter on his duties. a county roaC
convention shall be held every year IL
the interest of better roads, of which
the convention shall have the full su
pervision and management. If this bill
should pass it would be followed by {
measure appropriating about 100000
year to enforce it. Representative
Snively has introduced a bill to place
the public roads under the charge o
the department of internal affairs anC
providing for the election of a town
ship road committee and county roaC
engineer. 1t provides for an appropri
alton OF s., 900, 900 to be applied to build
ing or improving the public roads o
the ctat