Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-03-15
WITH THE TIME-KILLERS.
NISSLEY'S REPORT OF THE LEGlS-
LATORS' WORK LAST WEEK.
Members Are Frittering Away the Days
of the Session-FactiOBal Quarrels and
Snarls Block All Business-Not "a New
Law Yet on the Books.

Snarls Block All Business-Not IA New
Law Yet on the Books
Harrisburg, Pa, March 12, 1897.
1t Is understood now that the legisla-
ture, the governor and the board of pub
lie buildings and grounds have come tc
an understanding concerning the com
mission to erect the new capitol. Rep
resentatve Frank McLain, of Lancaster,
has presented bill that does not meet
with Governor Hastings favor; he is
willing, however, to have it amended
and it is said that the governor and the
| friends of the bill will have meeting
and agree upon a measure that will salts
| fly all parties concerned Harrisburg
will be the place mentioned to locate the
| building and it is not to cost more than
three millions. Every person directly
interested in the new capitol are of one
mind that prompt action should be taken
and after the bill is once drafted it will
not be long in getting through both
branches. The question of revenue has
not yet been satisfactorily settled and is
giving the leaders lots Of anxiety.
The subcommittee of the legislative
committee of ways and means met in
Philadelphia, on Saturday, and from the
three bills presented by Representatives
Focht, Smith and Stewart, looking
towards the securing of interest upon
all state funds in banks, the bill pre-
sented by Mr.. Stewart was accepted and
will likely become law. Two per cent
interest will be expected.
Three days work were crowded into
one last week so that the members could
attend the inauguration of President
Mckinley. This demonstrates what
said some weeks ago that all the legisla-
tive work could be accomplished in one
month If only an effort was made.
Three sessions were held on Tuesday by
by the house and seven hours and ten
minutes devoted to work The senate
was in session seven hours and ffty-tive
minutes last week and the house nine
hours and twenty minutes. The long
recess over the Inauguration was a waste
of public time as not one-third of the
members made the trip, although the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company offered
to haul them free on special train. II
is not expected much will now be ac-
complished before April /, when another
recess will be taken to allow the country
members time to square up their busi-
ness of the year. In IA short period after
that it will be time to adjourn. Not a
single new law has yet been placed on
the statute books. and only a few resou-
tions have reached the governor,
Governor Hastings has signed num-
| Der of resolutions. One expresses sym
pathy with Cuba; another orders the
printing of 1000 copies of the forestry
commissioners report, which was des-
troyed by the burning of the capitol;
others request the Pennsylvania con
gressmen to vote for bills increasing tho
salaries of railway postal clerks and
making the Vicksburg battlefield ma
tonal park, while three others created
committees to investigate the state
treasury and auditor generals office, the
dairy and food commissioners depart
ment and the burning of the capitol.
Auditor General Mylin and the chief
of his department are to appear before
1 the investigation committee this week;
the questions to be asked the witnesses
will be of formal character and will re-
veal nothing. Committee to investigate
the dairy and food department will meet
this week. Special agent Frank N.
| Moore will then have q chance to toll
what he knows about the oleomargarne
business at Pttsburg. DR.. S. c. Swal-
low, having refused to testify before the
investigation committee, the committee
may ask that he be brought before the
bar of both branches of the legislature
for punishment. They say that If this
is not done the power of these commit,
toes will be destroyed. Senator Quay
is expected to reach Harrisburg this
week to take personal charge of those
reform measures, of which | spoke re
Gently, and stay until they reach the
governors hands.
The bills that have passed the hous'
finally are as follows: Making borough
tax collectors ineligible for reelection
for the next succeeding term and re
quiring them to make monthly reports
to councils; authorizing constables ano
other peace officers without first procur
ing warrent to arrest persons reason
ably suspected by them Of offending
against laws protecting timber lands
making constables ex-ofiico fire warden
for the extinction Of forest fires and EN-
powering them to require under penaltl
the assistance OF other persons In tn
extinction of such fires; authorizing tn
arrest and committing to bail by bul
gesses of persons violating any boz
ougb ordinance; to protect employees o
corporations IN their right to form, jol
or belong to labor organizations an
, prescribing penalty for any interfel
encs; fixing the standard weight Of
bushel of oats at thirty-two pounds
mi. Ii ,-taf., 81