The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-07-07
THE LEGISLATURE OF 1897.
From the Philadelphia Press.

The LEGISLATURE OF 1877.
From the Philadelphia Press
The final adjournment Of the legisla-
ture will bring "a deep sense of relief
throughst the state, and doubtless inside
of the legislative halls as well as outside
The session has been long. ugly, weari-
some and mostly barren. The legislature
was slow in getting down to work, due
in part to the senatorial fight and to the
destruction of the capitol. This dilatori-
ness at the beginning unduly prolonged
the session; but during the past two
weeks there has been much diligence,
and, with all its faults, the work is
rounded up in better shape than was
promised some days ago
o
The impression created through the
state has been decidedly untavorable-
more unfavorable probably than a final
review of the actual results and the pre-
vious comparisons would justify. What
ever there has been of wrong has been
remorselessly exposed. The search lights
have been turned OH at every point with
an electric glare that revealed every spot.
All the peccadillos and jobs that in for
mer sessions have remained concealed be-
cause there was no Diogenes hunting with
his lamp have this year been relentlessly
uncovered. The factional fight growing
sides watching each other Every art was
tried to disguise the jobs, generally N
vain, for as soon as head popped up on
one side there was somebody on the
other ready to hit it. Some of the wrongs
were killed. and some were not; but the
continued vigilance kept up a continued
row and continued bad odor, and wrle
the results of the warfare were various
the effects of the impression were con-
tinuors.
Thus the facticral division, while it en-
gendered strife and scandal, exposed
wrongs and did good. Sometimes it
seemed confusion worse Confounded-no
leadership, no harmony of counsels.
Donnybrook Fair with shilelah in ev-
cry hand. Out of it came not much good
legislation, but the defeat of consider
able bad legislation The house was a
law unto 'tself-wayward, uncertain, ca
PRECIOUS, with a good deal of good MAZE
rial running loose and wild. The "Sev-
enty-six" were often an effective brake
on scaly schemes-not always. In the
main they had good impulses. and for the
most part they loved the work of hunting
snakes. They carry a good many rattles
as trophies Sometimes scme of them got
drawn into the holes themselves, but the
state is far better off today for their or
ganization, and 1t owes them a vote of
their antagonists in a lump. There were
good men among them who meant to Go
their duty, but it is q hard thing when
the battalion in On the march not to keep
step. The senate was by no means as in
dependent as the house, and did not kick
in the traces and rear up in the air like
the colts. 1t was docile, but in plodding
along under the whip it had an eye to the
main chance.
The record of the legislature is mixed.
Under the leadership of the governor it
settled the question of the new capitol In
the wisest manner and averted great
opportunity of jobbery. There was an
extraordinary brood Of expense bills be-
cause there were a great many nest-egss
of investigation. Most of them We're
added, and in tine end, after a good deal
of amusing scrambling, the outcome was
not as bad as ii threatened to be ten
days ago. The so-called reform bills
were abortions. Two of them, after being
mutilated beyond recognition, were ig-
ANONYMOUSLY defeated and indecently bu-
ried The other two were left as mangled
monuments OF perverse pretence. The
worst monstrosity of the session was the
Becker three-tifths bill which would de-
stroy the reform charter of Philadelphia.
| Many members doubtless voted for 1t
| against their own judgment, but under
| lndt COInpldlSdnl Splill WHlCH SOeS dlOHS
with the established leadership. But we
| confidently look to the governor to veto
| this bill and save the city from its raw
| shment.
Among the valuable and commendable
| acts secured are the Hamilton good roads
| bill, the forestry legislation and the libel
| law, which in future years will probably
| most distinguish this session. The final
and precise outcome of the vigorous and
varying struggle over revenue AMI ap-
propratons can better be judged when
| it's results can be more accurately meas
| ured. The revenue bill involves a system
| of graded licenses, and 1t Is believed that
| a sufficient income is now assured to
meet the necessary demands. But the dp-
propriatons have yet to pass the scru-
| tiny of the governor, and it is safe to
| say that they will be brought within the
| limits of the revenue. so that there Will
be no deficit. He will also have much
| other legislation to review, and when he
gets through the summing up will be
| shorn of much of its terrors.
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