Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1897-04-23
HARRISBURG LETTER
The Passage Of the Walton Bill
Gives a Chance to Architects.
INTEREST ON STATE DEPOSITS.
The BIZ which Has Passed the House
to That End Is Held Up I'm the Sem
ate-Farmers support the Hamilton
Isnad Bill.

Z
a vote of 149 TO 49, was the chief feat
ure Of the last session. This measure
was pretty thoroughly discussed and
various amendments offered before it
was permitted to become a law. Among
the changes suggested was one to limit
the total cost to $1,000, 600; another to
allow four weeks instead of two in
which to bid on plans for the new
structure, and still another to provide
for light and heat plant. The tenn
per Of the house, however, was against
any change, and the bill as originally
1 framed went through. 1t has since
been approved by the governor, and is
now a law.
| Recognizing the necessity for haste
in the matter of perfecting plans for
/ the new structure, the new capitol
/ building commission met Professor
Laird, the architectural adviser of the
body a few days ago, and went over
the preliminaries of the building opera
tions. 1t is their ambition to secure
the best results it is possible to accom-
| plish. in order that the building to be
erected may be in keeping with the re-
/ Quirements of the state in every way,
and in point of architecture be a credit
4 TO Pennsylvania. Every safeguard is
/ being provided for to secure the rights
/ of competitors at every point, and it Is
/ thought that competition will be made
/ attractive to all the best architects.
! The commissioners seem desirous of
offering to the architectural profession
such conditions as will bring into COM
petition architects of the highest stand
/ ing, and in this way secure to the
state the best possible service in a
/ fair and equitable competition. A pro-
gram will be issued in pamphlet form,
which viii set forth the terms on which
| the competition is to be conducted,
and all architects who so desire may
! file their requests for information con-
cerning the competition with State
/ Treasurer b. ]. Haywood, secretary Of
/ the commission, at Harrisburg This
will specify in detail the requirements
Of the various state departments
and the general conditions that
may influence or govern the in
vestigation of the problem. Stipuia-
tions win also be contained concerning
the manner of judging the drawings,
the scale and maner of rendering, and
the time and place at which they are
to be delivered.
An Opportunity for Architects.
Provisions are made that drawings
submitted in competition are to be
passed upon by board of disinterested
experts. These will select a limited
number of the best designs, and then
the architect will be appointed by the
commissioners. The identity of the
competitor will not be taken into ac-
count in passing judgment on the vari-
Gus designs. and it will be made a
special feature to insure results upon
the merits of the designs in competi-
ton. This program will also contain
a map of the grounds, showing the
different structures as they are located
at present, the contour of the surface,
various views of the hill and its build
lngs and in this way furnish compet-
tors with all the information necessary
to thorough understanding of the
problem.
AS the extreme urgency requires an
early beginning of the work of erection,
1t is decided that the drawings to be
offered in competition are to be re-
ceived not later than July H. and no
extension of time whatever win be al
lowed. The unprejudiced competition
seems to have awakened a spirit of
great ambition among the different
architects to compete for the prize
which they consider awaits the sue
cessful competitor. The great import
ance Of the state of Pennsylvania VIII
be mark of special distinction to the
tmember of the profession who is sue
cessful in having his design adopted.
There is as well, very considerable
interest developing among the proml-
nent builders of the country who pro-
pose to compete in the bids for the
construction of the new building
Many of the largest contractors have
visited the ruins, and have been get
ting all the information it is possible
to obtain.
The libel bill which was prepared by
the Pennsylvania Editorial association
defeated some time ago and subsequent
ly reconsidered, was called up a few
days ago and a series of amendments
presented which practically makes =
new bill and eliminates the most OBJ.
jectionable features.
The bill as amended passed second
reading. In its present shape it pro
vides that in all criminal prosecution,
for libel the truth may be given in evi
dence to the jury, and if it shall ap
pear that the matter charged as H.
belous is substantially true, and wal
published with good motives and fol
justinable ends, the defendant shall b'
acquitted, and the jury shall have thI
right to determine the law and tn,
facts. 1t also provides that in no cas-
can the defendant in any prosecu
] ffar, fo,. tf.aI ha Indicted for the r,rfr,f
ing or publication of the same libel b!
the game individual in more than on
county in the state, and in trials of in
dictment for libel the commonwealth
shall be at liberty to stand aside jur
ors. The title has been changed Il
read. An act relating to erimina
libel"
Farmers Urge Hamilton Road Bill.
{ one of the remarkable features Of tn
session is the rapid change OF senti
ment among the farmers, who hav
heretofore been opposed to the Ham
ilton road bill Many letters are nov
coming to members from this elias
urging their representatives to vot
for the measure. for they now recog
nize this as at least one step in tn
right direction. and viii ultimately re
suit In great benefit to all parts Of thl
commonwealth.
In conjunction with the Hamilto
road bill there has been one prepare
to repeal the various road laws Of tn
state. as he constitution requires. an
II Is a curiosity, 1t Is without douh
the largest bill that was ever offere
TO any legislative body. There are men
, toned in IL over 200 road laws tina
are active and in effect. 1t makes
volume of 276 pages. and is-so Volumin
Gus that number of members con