The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-06-24
HARRISBURG LETTER
Still No Solution Of the Perplexing
Revenue Puzzle.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS ENDANGERED.

A Million or Two May be Cut or tho
School Appropriations I'm the inter-
est OF Economy--To Drop the New
Inheritance Tax Bill.
Especial Correspondence)
Harrisburg, June 20. - The revenue
puzzle is now no nearer solution than
1t was a month ago. Senator Penrose
came to Harrisburg last Thursday, and
carefully looked over the field, so as
to he able, when he returned to Wash
ington the same evening. to enlighten
his senior colleague as to the revenue
outlook. While in Harrisburg he saw
Lieutenant Governor Lyon, Senator
Durham, Representative Marshall,
chairman of the house committee on
appropriations, and others who are sup
posed to define the policy of the ma
Jority on all important questions. The
fact of the matter is, the present Leg
islature Is one which cannot be led.
There are too many independent men
in the house for the comfort of those
who fondly fatter themselves that they
are the leaders. During the present
session every attempt at bossism has
been resented by the house, the strong
anti-machine sentiment in that body
being responsible for the failure to
dictate the course of the members on
any question. At the organization OF
the legislature 1t was believed that the
majority would do about as Senator
Quay desired, but after the election of
United States Senator Penrose the
lines were broken, and since that time
1t has been exceedingly difficult to pre-
dict Just what the house would do in
any crisis.
When the senate and house agreed to
adjourn July those who understood
the situation in the legislature pre-
dicted that an extension of the ses-
sion would surely follow. They realized
that 1t would be a physical impos-
sibility to pass appropriation bills and
adjourn on the date fixed. Since the
visit of Senator Penrose, however, and
the conferences with Senator Quay at
Washington it has been decided to
push business so as to get away on
July l. or at the farthest few days
later. Chairman Marshall began re-
porting appropriation bills last evening,
and the present program is to have
three sessions day this week, in
cluding Saturday. Those best posted
as to the situation predict that the
legislature will dissolve finally on Sat-
urday. July 8.
The Perplexing Revenue Puzzle.
When the revenue question came up
the independent element in the popu-
lar branch Of the legislature at once
made itself felt in resisting all meas
ures designed to increase the tax bur-
dens OF the agricultural and laborng
classes. The bill taxing direct inheri-
tances. except those under $1,000, was
pushed through as an administration
measure, and reached the governor be-
fore the majority of the members real
lied just what it meant. Judge Han
mas decision declaring the act uncon-
stitutional, owing to the exemption and
retroactive clauses, resulted in a new
inheritance bill being introduced to cor
rect the defects of the old one. But
meanwhile the members of the house
had been home comforting with their
constituents, and they heard so much
about the inheritance law that was un-
favorable that they came back to Har-
risburg strongly opposed to any cor
rective bill. This explains why the new
direct inheritance bill has been drop
ped after passing through the prelim-
mary stages in the legislature. Gov
ernor Hastings and State Chairman
Elkin, the author of the bill, still in
sist that Judge Hanna is wrong, and
that after a full hearing the supreme
court will sustain the constitutionality
Of the first inheritance bill. AS soon
as possible case will be stated in the
nh in TO-
stitutionality of the inheritance tax
law. 1t is estimated that this act, with
certain other smaller revenue measures
still pending In the senate, will pro-
duce enough revenue to wipe out the
prospective deficiency and run the
state government on economical lines,
as well as give to private charities
some assistance.
The present program Is to drop all
attempts to pass the beer tax bill and
other revenue measures, except those
unopposed The real trouble during
the last month has been the effort of
| certain prominent politicians, who are
members of the legislature, to get
away from taxing beer. This is a dam
gerous performance, and even those
who are engaged in the game realize
| tHdt tHSy are pidylHS WITH IRE. Iney
know that any failure to tax beer, the
bills having already passed the house,
will be resented by the great majority
of persons, especially If the appropria-
tions for schools should be cut down.
| A prominent leader said to me that 1t
would be very difficult for any Repub-
lican orator to go on the stump and de-
fend cut in the school fund by a leg
islature which refuses to tax beer. He
said that closing the school with one
hand and opening the saloon with the
other would strike the people as some
thing uncalled for in Pennsylvania
There are strange stories afoat as to
the real animus of the opposition tc
the beer bills. 1t is said that big
syndicate to control all the brew.
cries of Pennsylvania has been organ,
lied, and that many of the leading and
influential politicians of the state are
interested in the organization. Any
tax upon beer would, of course, be a
blow at the brewery combination. an6
direct cut into their prospective prof