Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-03-22

Style of the New State House-An Anti
! Trust Bill Placed on the Calendar
Harrisburg, Pa, March 10, 1897.
Governor Hastings has sent special
message to the legislature on the re-
building of the capitol. He suggests the
group of buildings plan and states that
after careful estimates building for the
sessions of the general assembly can be
erected at IA cost not over $3.50, 600
Nearly two hundred thousand dollars
have been realized from insurance on the
destroyed property. This then would
leave only about $3.50, 900 to be provided
for. This he thinks must come from re-
duction of appropriations or increased
revenues. He does not favor the in
creasng of taxes on the people at this
time, so the only way ont will be to cut
down the expenses. BY prompt action
the new building could be completed for
the session of 1890. His suggestions
come very near to the resolution pre-
sented by Representative Greasy, of
Columbia, at caucus of the house Dem
ocrats week ago,
The governors message caused good
deal of discussion among the members
of the legislature. Frank McClain, of
Lancaster, who has introduced a build
ing commission bill and is the spokes-
man of the house committee, said:
UNLESS Governor Hastings modifes the
attitude which he has assumed in this
message and private interviews, there
will be no capitol built during the next
two years, or even commenced. | have
been consulting the members of the
house and senate, and that much may
be taken as certainty. The PROPOSE
tion to erect structure for half mil
lion dollars verges on the ridiculous
If the limit had been fixed at ST.
100000, the me, sage would be worthy
of discussion. Then, toe, | do not find
an overwhelming sentiment in favor of
the colonial style of architecture.
never thought the burned capatol was
particularly beautiful. We want no
gingerbread structure either. The need
is for something stately and substantial
which will serve us and the succeeding
generations.
The house committee on agriculture
seems to be opposed to any change in
the oleomargerine law and the bill to
license manufacturers of oleomargerine
to manufacture and sell their product in
PENNSYLVANIA has already received some
hard raps.
The committee to investigate the
state treasury and auditor generals
department is ready to report. The
report says that under the present sys-
TEN the state has not lost cent in the
deposits in banks, but will recommend
interest on its deposits. 1t is under
stood that if the state treasurer shall be
obliged to pay for $500, 600 security that
he must give, it will be deemed necessary
to raise the salary of the Office as high
as $4,000. Auditor General Mylin has
testified that probably half a million
dollars a year could be saved to the
state by certain changes, including an
additional official to look after delin-
quent corporations, and another to
travel through the counties and see that
the valuations of personal property are
made high enough.
The Hcler-Laubach senatorial ex-
pense bills have been returned to the
house. There are two bills and they ag-
gregate $4,000. The Legislators feel
that the bills must be cut down at least
one-half before they will ever have a
chance of getting through. Lawyers
say that the state must pay the bills and
can be compelled by mandamus pro-
ceedings.
The Legislative committee of the State
Liquor League is very much disturbed
over a circular that has been sent out to
distillers and brewers asking them to
contribute $25 each for the purpose of
aiding legislation The committee here
which has charge of the legislation af-
fecting liquor interests repudiates the
circular, and say that names were sign
ed without authority.
About forty members of the legisla-
ture went to Washington last week to
urge the appointment of Jack Robinson
for assistant secretary of the navy
Speaker Boyer signed the bill regn-
lating the election Of assessors in second
class cities This is the first bill to go
to the governor this session. A bill pro-
hibiting the driving of intoXicants on
streets was defeated.
The calendars are loaded down with
bills and yet only three have reached
the governor One has been signed and
the others are under consideration. In
the house 6S2 bills have been read in
place and 2l3 reported from committee.
| Thirty-three house bills have gone
through the final stage and been sent to
the senate. SXty-three senate bills
have reached the house, ten of which
have been reported from committee.
Governor Hastings will probably send
special message to the legislature dur
ing the week suggesting Pennsylvania