Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-02-08
FREELAND, Pa, FEBRUARY $, 1897.
HARRISBURG LETTER.
Harrisburg, Pa, February 6, 1s9'

Harrisburg, Pa, February 6, 1897.
On Tuesday, when the old capitol of
Pennsylvania was completely burned
to the ground, not a thing was saved but
some records. The house was in session
at the time the fire was discovered, while
the senate had adjourned for half an
hour. The fire originated in the roof over
the senate chamber, what was the cause
is not known. While the fire was going
on the big American nag proudly floated
at the top of the pole, until the fiery ele-
ments burned off the rope, when the
wind carried it nearly block away.
When it was announced in the house
that the capitol was on fire, some treated
it as joke, but when shortly after there
was terrible explosion from a bursted
gas pipe, the members realized that it was
only too true, and quickly retreated.
The loss to the state is carefully estimat-
ed at $500, 1000. The insurance is $780,
900.
The Grace Methodist church. within
good stones throw of the old capital
building, has been secured for the reg
ular sessions of the legislature until
new building is erected. The building is
two stories high with numerous addition
al rooms at the rear. The senate will
occupy the second story room, which is
large and can be nicely fitted up, while
the house will occupy the main auditori-
um.
In, 10 lnt I i. -.
tion Of skirmish between the Quay
and anti-Quay forces in the house over
resolution to investigate the state treas
ury. Another round was fought last
week and the Quayites came out
ahead. The affair, at this early period
of the session, demonstrates that the
factional feeling is growing and is likely
to become very bitter as the time passes.
Bills have been presented in the
senate making it unlawful to tear down
or mutlate flags on public or private
buildings; to preserve the water supply
at the sources Of the rivers of the state;
to secure uniformity with other states
in the observance Of Memorial and La
Dor days; to require the retention by
employers Of aliens sums sufficient to
pay the taxes assessed against them;
authorizing justices of the peace to i'm
pose sentences upon convicted persons
with the aid of jury, and making con-
stables of townships ex-officio fire war
dens for the forest fires.
Senator White has presented resolu-
tion on the subject of congressional,
senatorial and representative apportion-
ment. Mr.. White tried to have this APP
portionment bill passed last session but
was defeated by the order of Quay
Another act is to insure greater safety
in theatres by prohibiting persons from
standing in aisles and fines a manager
S1O0 and thirty days in Jail for selling
tickets with standing privileges. An
act to prevent the bleeding of candidates
for Office is also on the list. Bills read
in the house are as follows: Reducing
the maximum rate of tax allowed for
township purposes, from one cent to
three mills on the dollar; an act to en-
large the competency of the wife to testi-
fly against her husband; also, an act re-
lative to actions by parents and child
for injury to the persons wrongfully
inflicted on the child; no license for the
sale of liquor shall be granted to a
school director and no liquor dealer
shall be elected school director; making
it misdemeanor for any life insurance
company to insure minor under twelve
years of age. Nissley.
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