The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-04-01

active repositories shall pay 1h per
cent interest per annum on the daily
balances. BY this latter amendment
the state will derive, should 1t become
a law, interest on $l,500000 at III per
cent. The Quay county BILL which was
vetoed by the governor two years ago.
has again been offered in the house.
and has been so amended that Its
friend now believe 1t will meet with
executive approval. 1t creates new
county out Of portions OF Luzerne and
Schuylkill, with Hazleton as the coun-
ty seat.
Many other bills were introduced
in both the senate and house during
the past week, and there is now so
many to dispose Of that resolution
has passed Moth houses that no more
bills shall be introduced after April B
except by permission Of either house.
II will be practically an impossibility
for the house to dispose of what they
have now on hand, as a resolution has
been adopted that a holiday be taken
during a portion of the week in which
the monument to General Grant Is
dedicated in New York city. This
means that little work will be ac-
complshed during that week.
Tho School supply Scheme.
One OF the most systematic and well
planned schemes, which is attributed
to an organization of school supply
houses, that has been devised in years
has developed recently. and II not frus-
trated will permit of the lavish and
useless purchase of materials for un-
.,iA a
rectors and supply committees. The
plan rs to send out thousands Of cir
culars. worked off in imitation Of type
writing, to secure signatures, and when
signed are to be sent to the members
of the house and senate. The way
in which they are being scattered and
their uniform character leave little
doubt as to their origin. These are so
worded as to effect, IL possible, spirit
OF prejudice in the minds of those into
whose hands they come. as they as
sail house bill No. 136, introduced by
Mr.. Weiss, of Northampton county,
which Is a most valuable measure and
intended to curb school extravaganza.
1t places restrictions on the school
boards in the rural sections, and does
not affect school boards In cities or
boroughs.
The circulars contain a specious plea,
the city against the country, and are
very we'll calculated to secure sigma
lures. The bill which they are trying
to have killed provides that the sum to
be expended hereafter by school direc-
tors in rural districts in providing
maps. charts and such apparatus shall
not exceed SIS of the amount appro-
priated by the state. This bill seeks to
remedy one great evil. and that is the
reckless expenditure of money in school
apparatus which prevails, and the or
ganized interests which supply these
equipments find a fertile field in the
country districts. This is a very i'm
portant measure, and should be allowed
to become a law. The scheme has been
so thoroughly investigated that the re-
suit will be that the bill will pass by a
very large majority.
DR.. Swallows Belligerency.
Although DR.. Swallow met with de-
feat in his last trial. and was convicted
of libel. yet he persists in keeping UP
the fight. His letter addressed to Gov
ernor Hastings indicates that he is
uCAoit uctSIllliicu " continue tne
fight. His next experience will be be-
fore the bar of the senate, before which
body he has been cs<ed to appear when
they convene again I'd give information.
IL he has any, as to the origin of the
capitol fire. There is some curiosity
manifested as to the outcome of this
trial, and II he has evidence Of any
importance 1t will then be brought out.
The senate has shown a disposition to
treat him with every respect, but II he
has evidence that is valuable to their
committee in their work of investiga-
ton he is in duty bound to give 1t.
Strange to say. while he Is not popular
here, he has many followers in his
movement. He is determined to have
new trial. and IL he fails in this will
take his case to the superior court. and
II the result is not satisfactory there
will then so to the supreme court. A
circular letter which is being intro
duced setting forth that he is not alone
in this contest, and soliciting funds to
assist in the fight. would indicate that
he has assistance. The Judge has
taken ten days in which to give an
answer as to whether a new trial. will
be granted.
The report Of the committee ap-
pointed to investigate the auditor gem
erals and state treasurer's offices was
presented recently. They find that
both offices have been properly con-
Quoted. and some recommendations are
made as TO the auditor generals Of
nee, and that is that an additional
force be added to assist in the work
OF this department. which is growing
in keeping with the growth and de-
velopment of the state. They report
that during period of IS years, In
which time 34lo,s74.ssl.73 was received
by the state. II has only suffered a
loss Of ss.4S2.sl out of S4o7 Isl 1856,
making the percentage Of loss the
small fractional sum Of .0002s OF
per cent. a remarkable showing in
deed.
The Philadelphia Capitol Bill,
The bill TO make PHILADELPHIA the
state capital was recommitted. and no
doubt special occasion will be made
to perform the ohsequies and carry its
little body out to the tomb.
Representative Voorhees,. a member
OF the house committee on law and or
DER, explains why he and his fellow
members have reported out for a place
on the calendar Mr.. Seyrert's bill
againx pugilistic contests. 1T goes TO