The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-07
WRANCLE over Smith BILL
RELIGIOUS Garb Measure ArOuses Hot
Debate in the House.
SIDE ISSUES ARE INTRODUCED
MIR. Fow, Leader Of Opposition to Com.
pulsOry Education. Is Also Against the
Religious Garb Bill-Quay County
Bill Reported FaVorably.


met at II o'clock. The following bills
We're introduced: By Mr.. McCarrell,
relating to civil suits for libel against
newspaper publishers, limiting the dam
ages that may be recovered when re-
traction is published. and providing
that publication of such retraction may
be offered in mitigation of damages. by
Mr.. Mitchell of Jefferson. granting PEN
sions to enlisted men between April
IA 1861, and May l. 1856 who are not
pensioners under United States sta
tutes.
The following bills passed finally: For
the protection of rutiled grouse and
speckled trout; house bill appropriating
S69. 400 to the Pennsylvania Soldiers
Orphans Industrial school; house bill
appropriating $4,000 to the Hunting
don reformatory: establishing free pub
lie libraries in the several school dis
tricts of the state, except in cities of
the tirst-class.
The governor sent to the senate the
following nominations: President judge
OF the Twenty-eight judicial district.
George S. Criswell, of Franklin; COM
missioner of Valley Forge. Holstein De-
Haven, of Philadelphia; harbor master,
Philadelphia. J. II. klemmer, of Phila-
delphia. The nominations were con-
firmed in executive session.
The house met at 10 o'clock. Senate
amendments TO the bill creating an ag
ricultural department were concurred
in and the bill now goes to the governor
for approval.
The Quay County Bill
Among the bills reported favorably
was the new Quay county bill
The Smith religious garb bill, being
the special order, was called up on sec
2nd reading. Mr.. Seyferr opposed the
BILL and characterized it as the most
vicious, atrocious, outrageous and un-
American measure ever entered. There
was no need TO refer to the origin of the
bill Everybody knows who the mar
row-minded men are who are back of
the bill, which is a blow at civil liberty.
Mr.. Seyfert quoted the constitution
and Judge Cooley upon constitutional
limitations. He said that the bill was
aimed at the great Roman Catholic
church in this state. He is not men,
Der of that church, but he is in favor Of
the fullest liberty. The speaker quoted
from Century Magazine article the
obligations taken by members of the
American Protective association, and
said IL there Is a member of that order
here. and this statement is not truth,
let him deny it now.
II do" shouted Mr.. Spangler, of
Cumberland.
Continuing Mr.. Seyfert said he was
glad that the statement had been de-
MED, and he then warned the Republi-
cans of the house If the bill was passed
1t would be fatal to Republican success
hereafter.
Mr.. North, of Mexican. offered an
amendment to the effect that teachers
should not wear a religious garb with
the intention to impress his or her re-
ligion, creed or faith" The amend
ment was lost.
Mr. Fow submitted the following
proposition on the point of order: That
the bill is unconstitutional, because it
is in conflict with section Z of article III
of the constitution of the common
wealth, which says that the legislature
shall make no law regulating the
management of public schools"
Speaker Walton referred the point Of
order to the house for it's decision. The
point of order was decided against Mr..
Fow.
Uncertain as to Schwenkefelders.
Mr.. Dambly said that before voting
for the bill he wanted somebody, who
could do so authoritatively. to state
whether the bill would affect Quakers,
Mennonites, Dunkards and Schwenke-
felders.
He called upon Mr.. Smith, author Of
the bill, to answer, but Mr.. Smith did
not reply.
Mr.. Singer, of Philadelphia, offered an
amendment, which, If adopted, would
require teachers to go to school in the
garb of nature. 1t was voted down.
Mr.. Ritter, Of Lycoming, offered an
amendment providing that the outer
garb of teachers be of red, white and
blue bunting.
An amendment was offered placing
the insignia of military organizations
under the ban.
Mr.. Fow, Of Philadelphia, then Iin-
availingly attempted to set the bill
aside by points of order.
Mr.. Smith offered the following sec
tion to be added to the bill:
Section 2. That any person who shall
violate the provisions of this enactment
shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor
and shall be punished upon conviction OF
the first offense by fine of not less than
$25 and not more than $1,000; in case OF a
second conviction the offender shall be
punished by fine of 800, and shall be de-
prived OF his or her office as public school
teacher; a person thus twice convicted
shall not be entitled to any reappolntment
as teacher OF any public school of this
state within period of five years from the
date OF his or her second conviction.
Mr.. Bliss moved to amend by striking
out the minimum penalty. Mr.. Smith
accepted the amendment. The amend
ment was adopted.
The section was then adopted and the
\ bill passed second reading.
Bird Book Veto Sustained.
A message from Governor Hastings
was read vetoing the bill providing for
the publication of work on the birds
and mammals of Pennsylvania. known
as the bird book" The veto was sus.
tained, the vote being ayes. 1872; nays, 10
A message was read from Governor
Hastings informing the house that he
had approved of the bill repeating tho
act prohibiting the consolidation OF
competing pipe lines. Accompanying
the notice of his approval of the bill
were reasons for his action. which were
given at length. The reading Of the
message was received with applause.