The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-02-06

Quiring public school teachers to de-
vote no. less than five nor more than
ten minutes each day before opening
school to reading the sacred scriptures.
By Mr.. Mast, of Armstrong, provid-
ing for the examination of miners in
bituminous regions, and prohibiting the
employment of incompetent persons.
Also to protect miners in the weigh
ing of coal mined in the bituminous re-
gions.
BY Mr.. James, of Venango, appro-
priating s500,000 to the Western Penn
sylvania institution for feeble minds,
also $4,000 to furnish the same institu-
ton.
Among the bills called up on the third
reading was the bill doing away with
kissing the Bible on taking oaths. An
attempt was made to amend the bill
by making 1T discretionary with per-
sons who took the oath in courts to
kiss the Bible, but failed. The bill pro-
vides that the hand shall be laid upon
the open book instead.
Onion Bill Passed.
The bill passed finally regulating the
standard weight of a bushel of onions
at fifty pounds.
The senate notified the house of its
concurrence with amendments to the
Goblin banking bill, and it now goes to
the governor for his signature.
When the forestry commission bill
was called up for the third reading the
house went into committee of the whole
for the purpose of general amendment
Mr. Dambly, of Montgomery, offered
an amendment to the effect that the
word forest should not apply to culti-
waited farm lands. Mr.. Collins, of Ly-
coming, amended the amendment by
having the bill apply to cultivated farm
lands adjacent and contiguous to for
est lands. Mr.. Collins amendment was
adopted. Several other amendments
We're proposed, but We're defeated, and
the bill passed third reading
Governor Hastings notified the house
that he had signed the following con-
current resolutions: Approving the
Stone immigration bill and the Sickles
bill to make Gettysburg battlefield a
national park.
Various Legislative Topics.
The legislature is boasting about its
progress. Two years ago the first bill
reached the governor March /. Last
week three We're presented to Governor
Hastings for his signature and this
week about ten more are expected to
be passed. One of the bills rushed
through creates the new banking de-
parlment.
Friends of Senator Cameron here are
beginning to believe that he was not
So far off on his silver views, advanced
long ago, as it looks very much in the
present financial furry that the Silver
ties have captured the United States
senate.
The demand for the bord book is
something terrific. Members say that
one-half of their letters are requests for
this bonanza.
There is demand in certain quarters
for a change in the Baker ballot law
to prevent the watcher who goes in the
booth with a voter from influencing
him. 1t is argued that this arrange
ment is responsible for more corruption
than occurred under the old system. 1t
is suggested as an amendment that the
watchers be put under oath and heavy
penalty not to influence voters in any
way.
a recommendation has been made to
the Legislature for a separate bureau
to keep record of births, marriages
and deaths. This work is performed
now, but it is claimed in such an i'm
perfect manner that many inheritances
are lost, and heirs are often put to
great trouble in settling up estates on
account of the incomplete records
Such a bureau exists in Massachusetts
and in some of the western states. 1t
is said to work admirably and has al
ready avoided much litigation pertain
ing to heritages.