The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-02-25
HARRISBURG LETTER
The Proposition to Erect Several
New State Buildings.
A MILLION DOLLAR CAPITOL
II IL Believed That sum Will be Ample for
the Purpose--The Consultation should
Not be "Stretched"-The Proposed New
Law to Protect the Fish supply.
Especial Correspondence J


Especial Correspondence.)
Harrisburg, Feb. 22.-There seems to
be a unanimity of opinion among the
members that Governor Hastings plan
of erecting several buildings for the
legislature and departments Is a most
wise one. 1t is generally recognized
that there should be Ave different
buildings: One for the department OF
internal affairs: one to provide ade-
quate quarters for the auditor general
and state treasurer; capitol or Leg
islative building: a structure for use OF
agriculture, education, forestry, bank
ing insurance and other sub divisions.
and the fifth might be used in the ma
ture Of museum to contain battle
flags, pathological and other collec-
tions, a representation Of the mineral
elements of the various counties, and
part of which might be used as cham
bers for supreme and supsrloS courts
and the state boards which are re-
| Quired to meet here. This could be
made to harmonize with each other
by being grouped in architectural ef-
feet. The buildings which remain are
not fire proof, but are largely con-
structed of combustible material, and
are inadequate to the requirements Of
the departments now in use, so that 1t
would be economy in the end to con-
struct a number Of buildings. and this
done in reference to the demands Of
the state for the next century.
A Million Should Build the Capitol.
The adoption Of this plan would en-
able the state to begin in the early
spring to construct a capitol building,
and thus have ample time for its COM
| pletion for the use Of the legislature
two years hence. The other buildings
could be erected after the capitol build
ing was finished in the order of their
greatest necessity. For the capitol
building It is thought. considering that
It is to be used for no other purpose.
and hence large building is unneces-
sary, that sl,0O0,000 would be ample to
expend for that purpose. Despite the
opinion given by Attorney General Nc
Cormick, declaring 1t to be unconsti-
tutional to bond the state to raise
funds with which to erect the new
buildings, there are some who favor
stretching the constitution at this
1uncture and refer to Jefferson's decla.
ration, that he had stretched the con-
stitution in an emergency until 1t had
cracked and the people had approved
of the act, and 1t is thought that ir
this movement the people will also ap
prove the act.
1t would be a great disgrace. how.
eyer, for the state of Pennsylvania tC
attempt to adopt measures that would
violate the constitution in the least
1t has too many resources sufficient t
construct the new capitol without &
resort to violating the constitution t.
accomplish what is necessary. TIL,
agitating of this subject within tn,
last few days has brought the Bls
bill, recently introduced. into grea
favor. imposing a tax on all ale. bee
or porter brewed in the state during
the ensuing three years. and also put
ting a tax of one mill on each dolla
Of the actual value of the capital stock
one mill on each dollar of all gross re
oeipts subjected to taxation. One mill Of
each dollar on the value of all persona
property. Two per cent upon the gros
premium collected by insurance com
panies etc. 1t is thought that thi
measure will be passed, and II enacte
will enable the state to greatly aug
!; ment it's revenues.
To Protect the Fish Supply.
The special features that character
ized the session of the house at II
last meeting was the introduction Of
number Of bills, among the most i'm
portant OF which was one to defin
which are game fish and fish CONNER
cially valuable for food, and regu
lates their catching and encourage
their propagation. 1t also protects tn
: waters from wasteful and imprope
fishing. This act will wipe out a
the existing fish laws of the state. Th
fish that would receive protection ar
salmon. brook, rainbow, Californi,
! brown, lake and salmon trout. and a
other forms Of salmon, Of food fishe
black rock. strawberry, striped, calic
grass, green and white bass, sunfisl
pike. perch. walleyed pike. pickere
muscolange, designated as game fish
! also shad, white fish, lake herring
S sturgeon. classified as food fish
: Henceforth II shall be unlawful
. catch with outlines or setlines, or fis
for any game fish except with ro
!. hook or line. A resolution which VIZ
j reported to the house from the feder
relations committee and unanimous
adopted requests the senators and rel
resentatives in congress from Penn
II sylvania to earnestly forward ar
y movement toward a speedy end to Il
n conflict in Cuba. and in remembran
= OF the generous aid and suppo
: we received more than a century ag
to urge the right of the people of Cul
r government by and for themselve
This was passed and has since be,
J approved by the governor.
Il The final passage Of bills was reac
:, ed for the first time prior to adjour
u ment, and the first one to pass W
the first one introduced at this Sc
sion, which provides that coroners sh,
have the same fee and mileage VIII
they have been called and viewed
body, but decide that no inquest
e necessary, as when an inquest is he
(. The Anti-Theater Hat Bill.
e The bill prohibiting the wearing
I hats. bonnets or other coverings I
the head which will obstruct the vi,