Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1897-03-12
HARRISBURG LETTER.
Lively Time Expected Over tn.
Capitol Commission Bill.
RHouEs SCHEME OF TAXATION
The Farmer Leader Proposes a Tax Of ON,
Dollar on Every Voter 10 Ray for the New
Capitol BuiIding-Dr. swallows Charges
Of Corruption.

The Farmer Leader Proposes q Tax OF Ont
Dollar on Every Voter 10 Pay for the New
Capitol Buiding-Dr. swallows Charges
Of Corruption.
Especial Correspondence
Harrisburg March s.--Although the
legislature was In session but a little
over one day at their last meeting.
they made an excellent record for work.
on Tuesday they had three sessions,
and during that time they disposed Of
a numer OF bills on second and third
reading and several others on a final
passage. There will be about 20 bills
ready for final passage on Wednesday.
Among the bills acted on on final pas
sage was one providing for the ex-
penses incurred In the Heller and Lau-
bach contest for senator Of Northamp-
ton county In 1895, which was passed.
and the expenses are TO be paid. An
other was the bill introduced by Mr.
Seyfert making II a misdemeanor to
play a game Of football in the state.
This bill, when 1t came up for final
passage. created considerable amuse-
ment In the house, and although Mr.
Seyfert talked very earnestly In its
favor for some time a large majority
of the members voted against It's pas
sage.
Governor Hastings veto Of the reso-
luton requiring that the architects,
contractors, mechanics and laborers
employed In the erection Of the new
capitol should be citizens of Pennsyl-
vania was postponed for further action.
There win be a pretty lively time ex-
perienced when the bill which has been
introduced creating a commission COM
posed of members OF the house an
senate to supervise the erection Of the
new capitol building comes up for ac-
tion. The friends of this measure hope
to secure It's passage, but they Will be
met with very strong opposition. A
number OF the members have received
very decided opinions from a number
Of their constituents against the adop-
tion Of this measure, and they will
have to heed those or be put I'm a very
unpleasant light before an influential
portion OF their constituency.
The experience of the New York au-
thorites, as well as those Of Philadel-
phia should be convincing evidence suf-
| hcient to show our lawmakers the folly
and expense that attends a commission
of this sort, and that, i'm the event Of
commission being created, II would be
years before they would complete their
work.
The Dairy Commission Investigation.
The committee appointed to investi-
gate the dairy and food commission
has been appointed and will commence
their investigation within a few days.
The vinegar bill which has been intro
duced, providing that no vinegar shall
be manufactured and sold which Is not
| the legitimate product of pure apple
| Juice, known as apple cider or vinegar,
is meeting with some opposition by
some who represent districts where
there are some manufacturers located
manufacturing vinegar from chemicals,
and who have a large amount of money
Invested in their plants. This bill, they
believe, would work ruin to their bus-
ness They claim that their product is
equal in purity and healthfulness to
that produced from apples. But the
friends of this bill claim that they are
actuated by a motive to secure pure
article, and at the same time afford a
means OF protection to the farming in
terests.
Among those who came to Harris
burg within the past few days TO con-
/ lei WIFI lit hONtiAlOh III AtANAthIf "
plans for the construction of the new
capitol were william b. Powell, the
celebrated stockman Of Crawford coun-
ty, and Leonard Rhone of Centre
county, master of the State Grange.
These gentlemen represent the agri-
cultural interests. During their con-
ference with the governor Mr.. Rhone
suggested a plan by which a sufficient
amount of revenue might be raised f..
the erection of the new building that is
unique, and at the same time Is worth
considering. II is to lay a tax Of 81
on each voter In the state. and this
would give each person a direct interest
in the building.
Governor Hastings Is busily engaged
In securing plans and estimates for the
erection of the new building, that he
may lay them before the legislature as
soon as possible, and that they may
have ample time to consider them.
There seems to be an opposition de-
veloping against the bill requiring
banks having state funds deposited to
pay interest on them. When it'is con-
sidered that a revenue would be de-
| rived from this source OF upwards Of
100000 II is worthy of trial at least.
The committee that has in charge the
investigation Of the state treasury and
auditor generals departments had an
other session, but has failed to ascer-
tain thus far but little information.
They meet again Tuesday. when Au-
ditor General Mylin. Chief Clerk
/ Bricker and Corporation Clerk Glenn,
OF the auditor generals department,
will be heard.
DIR. Swallows Charges.
The fire investigating committee of
the legislature at it's last session at
tempted to obtain further information
from DIR. Swallow, editor of The Penn
slyYania Methodist. Of this city, in re-
spect to the Identity Of the persons
upon whom he based his charges that
the capitol was set on fire. But he re-
fused to answer, and seemed to be
fearless Of any threats to hold him for
contempt Nothing has developed
since the hearing given DR.. Swallow on
charges of libel preferred by Captain
w. +. Stewart, a member Of the house
Of representatives and secretary of the
soldiers orphans commission, and by
Captain ]. G. Delaney, superintendent
OF public buildings and grounds, al
which hearing DR.. Swallow waived the
right TO give testimony to the court
except the open letter DIR. Swallow has
addressed to Governor Hastings. In
which he requests that the trial be
sued on the following allegations. al
TO be tried At one time.
THAT persons have been paid none!
ouf OF the state treasury who have rem
a.