The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-02-18
HARRISBURG LETTER
Grace Church Has All the Feat
ures of a Capitol Building.
NEED OF INCREASED TAXATION.
Measures Which Propose n Revenue from
the Great Natural Resources of the Com
monwesith- Opposition to Increasing
the Burdens of che Farmers.
Especial Correspondence.)

great transformation in the impro-
vised quarters of the legislature in the
past few days, and Grace Methodist
Episcopal church at the present time
presents in it's interior all the features
of capitol building, so that when the
| legislature convenes again on Wednes-
day the members will find new desks
have been provided, and everything
established to add to their comfort and
convenience. 1t is to be hoped nothing
further will hinder them in their work
during the remainder of the session.
( One of the members remarked in q joe
/ ular way few days ago that 1t looked
now as though there had only been
two things accomplished since the or
! ganization-the election of a United
States senator and the burning of the
capitol. But there is determination
to get down to business, and from
present indication there is every reason
to justify the belief that much good
will be accomplished this session.
There hats been much discussion
among the members of both branches
Of the Legislature on a number of ques-
tions of importance to the state, and
| the deep interests that is taken, and
the many plans proposed would lead
| O person to conclude that, after ALL
| the fire was n blessing in disguise. One
thing is certain, It will result in a
more efficient fire department in Har-
risburg, and greater security will be
given to the remainder of the property
of the state on the hill, especially
those which contain the important rec
ords of the state. 1t Is possible that,
through the loss entailed, and the fact
that a greater revenue will be required,
a new source of revenue will be de-
veloped.
Why Minerals Should be Taxed.
1t is contended by some of the MEN,
bers that the citizens of Pennsylvania
have made a mistake heretofore in not
eXacting a state tax on the more i'm
portant minerals mined and produced
within the limits of the state. They
claim that the mining of coal has been
made profitable to a number of persons
who have taken their profits TO build
palaces in New York city and engage
in enterprises in other states.
The production of petroleum has been
the means of securing great wealth to
a number of persons. some of whom
have used it to engage in manufactur-
ing on a gigantic scale in other states,
and also used part of their profits in
the establishment of universities in diff
ferent parts of the country. 1t Is claim
ed that the development of these enter
prises have been a great source of ex-
pense to the state, owing to the large
percentage of foreigners that have been
brought into the state, and, through
whom the percentage of crime has in
creased requiring an increased ex-
penditure in the state in their incarcer-
alton in the prisons. Then, as there is
more or less hazard connection with
these occupations, there is necessarily
an increase in the number of patients
to the various hospitals belonging to
the state. These, and the fact that con-
siderable expense is necessary in the
surveillance over the various mining
interests by the state, and other feat
ures, they believe, justifies the state in
demanding a state tax on coal, petro-
leum and other mineral products and
with these in addition to the revenues
now collected, there can be sufficient
raised to build q new capitol building
that will be a credit, and have a bal
ance to devote to the improvement of
roads school purposes or anything else
of importance to Pennsylvania.
Those who oppose the imposing of
tax on the various mineral resources
of the state claim that it would only
put further burden on the consumers
of the state, who are very large users
of those minerals and who would have
to pay this tax in the end, and Just
how to eliminate this feature from the
question is what is perplexing those
who are advocating a tax on the prin-
cipal mineral elements.
bill recently introduced imposes a
tax on all beer and porter manufac-
tured or brewed in the state during the
ensuing three years. The amount of
the tax is one-half of / per cent. upon
each gallon of beer ale or porter brew
ed within the state, and in this tax it
is thought considerable revenue can be
derived
There Is determined stand against
any Increase of taxes on the farming
interests, which will have an influence
on legislation increasing the taxes on
farms, and no further burden Is likely
to be imposed on this overburdened
class.
| Additional Taxation Proposed.
A bill was introduced by Mr.. Bliss.
of Delaware, imposing these addition
| 90 'e'N oii Va WHICH blldll ne retained
In theState treasury for the use of the
commonwealth: One mill to be i'm
posed on personal property, except
public loans liable to taxation under
the act of 1889 and 1891; one mill on the
actual value of all capital stock and
gross receipts subject to taxation un-
der these acts; per cent on the gross
receipts of every character and de-
scription received from business done
within the commonwealth during the
next three years by insurance compa-
MES of other states and foreign gov
ernments, subject to the act OF 1889;
one mill on the par value, or actual
value of the shares of all banks, saw
ing institutions and national banks; /
per cent on all annual net earnings or
incomes, subject to the act of 1888; 81
per 500 of the clear value of every
estate subject to the act of 1887. This
act is to be in force until Jan. /, 1900.
Basing the estimate on the tax real
lied in 1895 this would aggregate an
increase of the revenue of 81, ,39l,371.
Among the hills - roducad prior to