Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-01-25
HARRISBURG LETTER.
Harrisburg, Pa, January 30, 1sl

| DtlDIt utNu hOuudl GNtll-
ing. A. j. Pitcairn, of Pittisburg, who
was i'll when the legislature organized,
was present and Judge Mcpherson, of
Harrisburg, administered the oath.
A resolution expressing sympathy for
the Cubans was presented by Mr..
Spatz, of Berks, which was referred to
the committee on federal relations.
Neither house nor senate did much
business Tuesday. The only event of
Importance was the formal election of
Boies Penrose, United States senator,
which occurred at 3 o'clock in both
branches. He was elected by strict
party vote. The vote in the senate was
Penrose, AZ; Black, 6. In the house
Penrose, 16s; Black, SO; Wanamaker, /.
The most important business done by
the Legislature on Wednesday was the
announcing of the appointments.
Representative Smith, of Philadelphia,
thinks there should be some looking into
the methods of the state treasury and a
change made in the habit of the state,
in giving its funds to banks, without
interest, for them to speculate on. A
bill eminating from the state grange, on
taxation; a change in the game laws an
attack on Oleomargarine and perhaps a
bureau on mines and mining will all in
due time be presented and acted upon
Unless the most rigid economy is
observed in authorizing expenditures for
the next two years it will bankrupt the
state treasury. general reduction
will have to be made in the appropria-
tions to the institutions dependent en-
tirely upon the state for support to keep
within the limits of the revenues. To
begin with, the appropriation of 81, ,500,-
900 year to the public schools will have
to be scaled down at least million or
two. If it is not, many of the semi-state
and private charities will be cut off with
out cent.
The question of finances is the most
important that confronts the law makers
Two years ago Governor Hastings found
it necessary to send special message to
the legislature calling a halt on the in
discriminate appropriation of public
moneys. AT that time a movement was
started to reduce the appropriation to
the public schools. 1t was checked at
the start by 1875 members of the house
signing an agreement to oppose such a
reduction. Unless immediate action is
taken by the Legislature to increase the
state revenues there can be no relief for
the overcrowded insane asylums, peni-
tentiaries and hospitals. Even if legis-
lation is enacted increasing state taxa
ton the money would not become avail
able before the beginning of next year.
The report of State Treasurer Hay
wood at the close of December showed a
balance in the general fund of So, ,723,-
500 Against this the moneys owing the
school districts, hospitals, penitentiaries
and the salaries of the state officials
must be paid when they become due.
There is still $4,000, 900 of the school ap-
preparation unpaid, while S1,50O, ZOO
must be returned to the counties in per-
sonal property tax. These two items
alone make 81, 10000 nearly $1,000
900 in excess of the balance in the
general fund.
|
largely from the increased appropriation
to the public schools, which jumped
from $2,000,0OO in 1890 to Sc, 900, 600 in
1891 and $780, 900 since 1898, differ
ence of SO, 800, 900 year.
The revenues for the next fiscal year,
it is estimated, will not be as large as
they were during the past year, when
they amounted in round figures to S10,-
600, 900, which was derived by the collec-
ton of taxes due the state by delinquent
corporations. Some of these concerns
were back several years in their taxes
and the state will not have this resource
to draw upon in 1897.
AT the last session of the legislature a
committee was appointed to investigate
the workings of the high license law and
report at this session. This committee
finds that there are $4,000 speak-eases
in the state and $4,000 licensed places.
1t also finds that there are many ways
OF granting licenses. One judge grants
provided the applicant closes at 10
o'clock, another judge declares against
a free lunch and still another from keep
ing open all night. The committee
actually found that man was granted
a license if he would close his saloon at
Z o'clock on Wednesday evening, be-
cause his place was near church and
that was prayer meeting night
An effort is to be made to secure
legislation this winter taxing anthra-
cite coal cents a ton at the mines
the tax to be paid by the mine owners
when shipped to the markets. 1t this
proposition is carried out the payments
would afford relief to the treasury
This scheme was tried in Pennsylvania
during the war and continued unit
early in the seventies. If this tax is
levied it would raise about $500, 900 in
revenue annually.
An effort will also be made to in
crease the tax on the actual value o.