The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-01-14
The Making of Legislative Com
mittees Now in Order.
THE AMENDED GRANGER TAX BILL
tt Will be Presented Early in the scs-
sion, Together with the Report Of the
State Tax Conference-scnator Penrose
Not Yet Ready to Resign.
Especial Correspondence.)

was for two purposes-flrst to allow the
bitterness between the factions in this
contest to subside, and secondly to give
Speaker Boyer an opportunity to make up
the house committees. This Is ono of the
most difficult tasks which falls to pre-
siding officer He must consider the quail
lfications of the members as we'll as the
geographical claims Of the different dele
tions In order to prevent friction in the
work of the assembly. 1t is understood
the old members will be given the COM
mittee places which they held last session
unless they are disposed to serve on othor
committees. AS to chairmanships, there
will probably be some contention.
Among the most important chairman
ships Of the last session which are likely to
be held by the same legislators this winter
are those of the committee on appropria-
tions, of which Mr.. Marshall of Allegheny
was the head; railroads, Mr.. Lytle of
Huntington, chairman; street railways,
Mr.. Keyser Of Philadelphia chairman.
The committee on ways and means, to
which will be referred the different revenue
bills that are likely to be introduced, had
an able chairman last session in Frank
Ritter, the present director Of public safety
in Philadelphia. He devoted much time
to the preparation Of the granger tax bill,
which has been undergoing a practical
test, under resolution of the last house.
in the auditor generals department. This
bill will be returned with some changes
and the report Of the state tax conference
on the practical operation Of the bill will
be submitted at the same time in order
that the members may get full under
standing OF the measure. Many of the
former legislators insist that this bill will
give them the relief for which they pray,
and that it will tend to equalize taxation.
They assert with much emphasis that the
opposition to the bill comes from those
channels that are naturally opposed to
any change in the present law.
The Ways aud NJ leans Chairmanship.
Mr.. Riter's place as chairman of the
committee would have been taken in all
probability by Representative Pennewill,
Of Philadelphia, had he not declined to
serve rs member of the house. He pre-
ferred tho position Of chief deputy In the
sheriff's Office Of Philadelphia to seat
In the house. Speaker Boyer will find some
difficulty in getting n chairman who will
be able to understand the intricacies of
tax legislation. 1t is reported that Repre-
sentative Cortlandt X. Bolles, of Philadel-
phia, can have this craftsmanship If he de-
sires 1t, but he told me the other day that he
did not care to assume the responsibilities
Of so arduous craftsmanship No other
name has been publicly suggested in con-
nection with this committee.
The senatorial contest h as left many
sore spots In the senate and house, and the
probability is that the approaching session
will be enlivened by many tilts between
those who are regarded as the leading fac
tionists In the senate, Senators Magee,
Finn and Kaufman are the leaders Of
the antiQuay forces, while In the house
Of representative Voorhees, Of Philadel-
phia, Focht Of Union, Nesbit of Northum-
berland, Bliss of Delaware and Young of
Tioga and few others will take COM
mand
1t is very certain that many bills will
fall under the veto AK unless the governor
changes his mind The large appropria-
ton for the expenses Of the senate COM
mittee which has been Investigating the
municipal affairs Of Philadelphia Is one
of the bills that is most sure to meet with
his disapproval. Those who are close to
him say that he will never sign such
bill, because he could not consistently do
SO after having disapproved in tho first
place Of the creation of the committee.
The governors message has made very
favorable impression. His recommenda-
tions will doubtless be needed, and as
result there will be some very important
changes in the road laws of the state, as
we'll as in the method of distributing the
school funds, about which there has been
much contention for several years. It Is
held by the representatives Of tho country
districts that they are unfairly discrim-
mated against in the distribution of the
states grant to the schools and that un-
less something Is done to relieve the Sit
uation they will oppose the appropriation
at this session.
Scenes at the Capitol.
The scenes at the capitol when the
legislature organized were interesting.
In the remodelled hall of tho house of
representatives were many beautiful
flowers, and the galleries and unoccu-
pied spaces in the rear of the desks
were crowded with people. Similar scenes
were enacted in the senate chamber. 1t
was expected that there would be some
sensational developments at the organiza-
ton Of the house, but everything passed
of in q remarkably harmonious way. It
was reported that certain members would,
when they presented themselves at the
bar Of the house for the purpose of being
qualified, be challenged on account Of
alleged bribery and other offenses which
make them incompetent to take the oath.
1t appears, however, that both sides In the
senatorial fight were tired of the processes
Of the law, and abandoned all suits before
the hour for organization.
The campaign Of 1897 is bound to be one
Of moro than usual interest and excite
ment. Three or four counties have al
ready elected delegates to the next state
convention, which will nominate candi.
dates to succeed State Treasurer Haywood
and Auditor General Mylin. During the
spring the remaining counties of the state
will select their delegates, and in these
preliminary fights the lines will be closely
drawn between the Quay and the anti
Quay forces, so that the next state con
vention will determine pretty clearly
whether the organization Of the Republi
can party in Pennsylvania is to continue
In the hands Of Senator Quay.
Senator McCarrell, as president pro tenn