The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-07-01

| Iexow bill.
| Political Reforms Unpopular,
Political reforms have not been pop
uiar with the majority in this legis
iature, and when the record is made
up at the close of the session II will
be found that the campaign promises
have not been kept. Since 1895 there
has been nothing talked about in cer-
tain circles but reform of one kind OF
another. Senator Quay appointed q
committee of prominent party men to
prepare bills covering his ideas of re-
form. These measures were considered
by the state conventions and indorsed
Everything looked like a political mil
lenium, but when the legislature finally
received the bills they were found to be
too radical to suit the average political
| mind. Changes were introduced, and
| now that the bills have finally been
| passed they are looked upon as useless
| from q reform standpoint.
Deputy Attorney General Elkin, the
| chairman of the Republican state COM
mittee, was requested early last week
to prepare the various revenue meas
ures which we're agreed upon at the
Quay conference In this city. These
bills took the shape of amendments to
pending measures, and had for their
purpose the raising of more money for
the state. At the same time they were
looked upon as a diplomatic way of
dropping the beer bills. The beer
bills have been the stumbling block
in the way of the legislature for weeks.
They were not wanted by prominent
politicians who are interested in the
manufacture of beer, and in order to
get rid of them some method had to
be devised that would not crate too
harshly upon the public ear. So the
licenses Of liquor dealers were increas-
ed in certain cases. and as amended
the bills went through the senate with
out much opposition. One bill placed
graded fee on brewers. increased the
license fee on distillers, wholesalers
and bottlers, and added s100 to retail
licenses all over the state, and 5000
to those in cities other than the first
and second classes. 1t was estimated
that this bill would add about 81, 600, 900
to the receipts of the state treasury.
When 1t came up in the house that
body had no use for it, and laid it low
by vote of 65 to 80. 1t now goes to
a conference committee, which will en-
deavor to make it satisfactory to both
branches of the legislature.
No Cut in School Appropriations.
Senator Quay and other prominent
leaders favored a cut in the school ap-
preparation to the tune of $500, 900 a
year. They felt that by thus reducing
the appropriation to the schools many
or the private charities could be taken
care OF, but they reckoned without the
country members. AS soon as 1t was
that an attempt was to be
made to reduce the school fund the
legislators from the rural districts were
instantly aroused, and they have sue
ceeded in securing pledges enough to
defeat the proposed cut
1t appears that another effort is to
be made to pass the bill authorizing
he damming Of the Delaware river at |
trenton 1t was defeated the other day |
oy a narrow margin, but 1t was re- |
and placed on the postponed |
calendar. 1t is regarded as a legisla- |
I've snake. and can never get through |
he legislature. Already the New Jer-
'ey legislature has passed, and Gov
'rnor Griggs approved, a similar bill.
out as the Delaware divides the two
n
'ylvania and New Jersey to pass the
,ill.
An exciting incident Of the debate
m the Dill increasing licenses of liquor
iealers occurred in the house Friday
hght. Mr.. Lytle, of Huntingdon, made
ome enusive comments on the way in |
which Senator Quay had come to Har
1sburg and unraveled the revenue
'uzzle AS he put II, 'he had smitten
he rock with his wand and revenue
'usned forth to relieve the charities
I the state Representative Voorhees,.
I Philadelphia, who sits across the
isle from the gentleman from Hun
lhgdon, smiled at this allusion to Sem
tor Quay's revenue efforts, whereupon
ir Lytle took offense and said: "The
entleman from Philadelphia who Is
eading the paper need not laugh. for
ut a few wears ago he would have
oncurred in this sentiment by stand
1g up and clapping his hands" As
Don as Mr.. Lytle had concluded Vor-
ees got the floor and charged that the
entleman from Huntingdon had gone
Ut OF MS way to besmirch him. Con-
nulng he said: He has the un- |
'rtunate habit of allowing his tongue
run away with his judgment II
had not been for this defect the gen.
eman from Huntingdon would now be
occupying the chair which you. Mr..
peaker, grace with such ability. AS
'gards Senator Quay. when he is right
follow him, and when he is wrong
m against him. Mr.. Quay is the DO
tical mentor Of the gentleman from
huntingdon, who follows him whether
is right or wrong" Mr.. Lytle said
had no intention of besmirching the ,
entleman from Philadelphia, and the
cident closed.
Wanted Militia Appropriation Cut.
Saturday Mr.. McElhany of Allie
leny county, wanted to strike out
oO00O for the National Guard. the
'ual appropriation, and insert $500. 600
r. Baldwin of Delaware, Mr.. Coryell
Lycoming, who is Colonel of the =
welfth regiment, Mr.. Bare of Hunt
gdon, who Is captain of a Fifth regi-
ent company, and Mr.. Marshall.
lairman of the committee on appro-
iations, opposed the amendment in
fective speeches. Mr. McElhanv de-