The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-06-24

against any reduction Of the school
funds, and II does not appear how the
program to cut the appropriation can
be carried out under the circumstances.
Those who favor the reduction OF the
appropriation point to the fact that
PENNSYLVANIA gives to education nearly
Ga per cent of her total revenue, as
against but IL per cent in New YORK.
II is argued that education is getting
more than a due share Of the income
of the commonwealth, especially In
view of the fact that many charitable
institutions are denied state aid.
Governor Hastings has already ap-
proved about las bills, many of them
of purely local interest. This feature
Of legislation has called attention to
the objection that has frequently been
raised since the adoption Of the new
constitution to the inhibition against
special legislation. 1t is admitted now
that the right to pass special acts OF
assembly to cover peculiar cases would
be a very desirable thing in our state
economy. Under the present constitu-
ton all local matters must be covered
in a general act, applying to the whole
state, and as a result a lot of laws are
placed upon the statute book which
have no general significance whatever,
and are often misleading. AS result
of this not few members Of the leg
islature favor the calling of con-
stitutional convention to amend the
fundamental instrument In this par
ticular.
After much parliamentary backing
and filling, the Young trolley bill has
been done to death. 1t was violently
opposed by the steam railroad inter-
ests, and while the electric railroad
people were active in behalf of the
measure, they were not sufficiently
strong to overcome the powerful oppo-
sition of their steam rivals.
Representative Hosack's effort to
have the oleomargarine scandal COM
mittee continued for two years failed
in the house One member said IL there
was any wrongdoing there were laws
to prevent 1t, and they should be en-
forced.
The Taxation OF Aliens.
Among the most important meas
ures approved by the governor is
the Stewart measure requiring banks
having state deposits to pay per cent
unnudlly, anu tflt live dCllNt utposi-
tories in Philadelphia, Pittsburg and
Harrisburg 1h per cent on daily bal
ances. He has also signed the Camp
bell bill taxing employers of unnatural
lied male persons over 21 years Of age
three cents day for each unnatural
lied person so long as such person Is
employed. The employer Is allowed to
deduct the tax from the wages Of the
unnaturalized employe. One result Of
this act is the rush OF foreigners in
the different courts Of the state to be
naturalized The governor has also
approved the bill limiting the number
of inmates of state prisons, penitenti-
aries. state reformatories and other
penal institutions to be employed in
manufacturing goods therein and pro-
hibiting the use of machinery In man
ufacturing said goods.
There Is very little left of the ruins
Of the old capitol The massive brick
tower which supported the dome was
leveled to the earth a day or two ago
by the use Of dynamite.
Governor Hastings is giving himself
no concern about the revenue muddle.
He is perfectly willing that the gentle
men of the senate who have taken the
bit In their teeth, so to speak, shall
work out their own salvation along this
line.
State Chairman Elkin has issued a
call for the Republican state conven-
ton to be held in Harrisburg Thurs
day, Aug. rs. A meeting of the state
committee will be held the day pre-
ceding.
Tho hnttca ho
ton requesting the superintendent of
public instruction to furnish the rum
ber and names Of the different school
districts In the state which have raised
less money for school purposes than
they received from the commonwealth.
Two years ago Governor Hastings de-
sired to amend the school appropria-
tion bill by inserting proviso that no
district should receive more money
than 1t raised for school purposes by
| local taxation.
The governor has given the legis-
lature to understand, through the
chairman Of the house committee on
| appropriations, that he will approve
no bill for election contests which is
not fully itemized. This will puzzle
some Of the gentlemen in the making
up of their accounts.
Senator Andrews, Of Crawford coun-
ty, Is recovering from what threatened
to be dangerous illness. He was con-
fined to his room at the Lochiel hotel
with severe hemorrhages of the nose.
| The Delaware Dam Snake.
| The Delaware dam snake continu,
Its sinuous course through the senate
This bill permits the damming of tn
Delaware river for water power pur-
poses, and Is regarded as a vicious
| measure.
A bill to establish a dental council
and state board of dental examiners
was first defeated by the house, ther
reconsidered. and is now on the post
poned calendar.
The Marshall bill to prevent cor.
rupt practices at elections and limiting
the expenses of political candidates has
been killed by the house.
The conference committee has finish.
ed its consideration of the political re.
form bills, and they have passed the
senate in the amended shape. Some
members Of the legislature do not re.
gard them as ideals in the way of re.
| form.