The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1895-01-30
Harrisburg Letter.


stage of the session than at any previous
one within their recollection. Four hun
dTei and seventy-fOur bills have been
read in place in the House. and almost an
equal number in the Senate. Sixty-six
petitions and remOnstrances have been
presented in the House on variety of
subjects, principally on Greater Pitts
burg and Fish and Game Commission.
One set of remon>trants are dead set
against "a salaried Game Commission
and the farming out of our game and fish
10 the sports OF the Commonwealth"
Perhaps these remonstrants never could
get bite nor draw bead. Many of the
bills have been brought out of committee
and read the first time; others will soon
be ready for the action of the Governor.
The bill for the publication of the Bird
Book is likely 10 pass both Houses in
spite of the fact that it will cost the tax
payers the snug sum of 100000. Twenty
four thousand copies will be printed
twelve thousand for the use of members
OF the House and half that number for
the Senators. Besides being a revised
edition of the former publication known
as the Bird Book, giving description of
the birds of the State, their ''manners
and customs" and whether or not the
farmers friends, game, or predacious,
there is added description of the man.
mails of the state. This will include all
four-footed beasts from the rodents to
ruminants, and everybody will know
what the grounding has to do with the
weather. The only thing wrong about
this business is that there won't be
enough to go round.
The appropriation bills now in the
hands of the House Committee on Appro-
priations aggregate about SS7,0O00OO, and
more To come. Two years ago the esii-
mated revenue was 81, 1908, 900 and il is
not possible for the committee 10 90 high
er than this figure. This session the rev.
enues will not exceed the total amount
of the last and il viii be necessary for the
committee 20 make some horizontal cuts
in order TO keep within bounds.
Although the hall of the House is
thing of beauty, its acoustic properties
seem 10 be defective; at least, that is the
plea given in behalf of the reporter who
made Mr.. Dambly, in his eulogy on Rep
resent3tiye Taggart, say: Custom alone
sanctions kind words and certain DEATH"
instead Of Custom sanctions only kind
words concerning the dead" Many 9TH
eT blunders appeared in the Record, to
the chagrin Of the members rising TO
remark On Saturday men were at
wo-k stretching wires across the hall in
different directions midway between the
floor and ceiling. with the hope of i'm
proving members chances OF being
heard from any part of the hall. Monday
night VIII decide for or against the wires
rs AL Improvement. The filigree work
around the tops Of the desks in the lower
house has been replaced 10y solid piece
@; hard wood fastened with long brass
screws. 50 that, should any one chance to
come into contact with that part of it, no
damage viii result 4 railing has been
placed along the front row of desks to
keep off in:ruders. Many other improve
ments for the comfort Of members have
been suggested, among others storm
door at the entrance to the post-oifico.
Governor Hastings, accompanied by
Secretary of the Commonwealth Reeder
and AdjuIant-General Stewart, went TO
New York, on Friday last. to attend a
meeting Of governors called for the pur-
pose OF considering the question of max
ing military instruction a part of public
school regulations.
The grandson of Cornplanter, the
great Seneca Indian chief, accompanied
10y an interpreter, was here a few days
ago, seeking assistance from the Legis-
isture in prosecuting his claim to several
hundred acres of land in Venango coun-
y, Oh part Of which oil City is built, but
without success. His claim had been re-
lerred to the judiciary General Commit
Zee, which decided that nothing can be
done for his relief His name is solomon
Obail and he lives on anIndian reservation
iii the northern part Of the State. Being
short Of funds, Mr.. Fow, of Philadelphia,
raised an amount from the members suf-
icient TO carry him back 10 his reserva-
ton. lie returned his thanks i'm a few
words for the kindness shown him by all
with whom he came in contact
\ bill has been introduced, making il a
misdemoanor, punishable by fine and
imprisonment, 10 give reporter mis-
leading Information. How about re-
porter drawing on his Imagination? No
expense will be spared in stamping out
aud eradicaiing tuberculosis among cat
tie, and tie oleo question is going to give
oar Legislators no end of trouble. What
would our young law students think of
state board of examiners on their qualifi-
cations, besides an entrance fee of so and
a trip to Harrisburg? An effort is being
made 10 repeal the law preventing the
consolidation Of competing pipe lines,
but II Is said that the opponents of the
Standard oil Company are on their
guard. \ bill has been introduced fixing
the standard weight of bushel of onions,
and requiring eggs to be sold by weight
ON Wednesday evening, February 6.
from TO IL, GOV. and Mrs. Hastings will
give q reception to the members of the
Legislature and State officials at the Ex-
eeHtive mansion. In March they will
receive their Harrisburg friends
Sheriff SEellenberger on Friday sold
several presses, cutting machines and
other material belonging to the Harris
burg Saadeg Telegram. There were a
number of purchasers. The amount re-
allied from the sale was less than 81 200