The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-04-22

TO any legislative DOuy. IHeTe are hiSh-
toned in 1t over 200 road laws that
are active and in effect. 1t makes
volume of 276 pages. and is 80 volumin-
Gus that a number of members con-
cluded to not put it on their files, but
give it separate place on their desks.
This bill Is strong argument in favor
Of the passage Of that prepared by
Hamilton, as it shows the crude, pc"
culiar and unsatisfactory laws now
upon the statute books In relation to
road Improvement.
Despite the fact that both houses
concurred in an agreement to forbid
the introduction Of any new bills after
April 5, except by consent Of either
branch n number are still being Of
fered. These are not likely to receive
Consideration in either house. The
house has now on its calendars much
more than It is able to dispose of until
late In June or in July, and session
OF that length is not probable, as
very strong sentiment is developing
for adjournment as soon as possible.
Among the bills introduced recently
was one to prevent parents or guar
dams from locking up children under 9
years of age under any pretext, and
providing a penalty Of $25 for the first
offense, $50 for the second offense,
and six months Imprisonment for the
third offense. If any child or children
should lose their lives by being locked
up the punishment shall be one years
imprisonment and 500 fine; authorizing
county commissioners to transfer and
convert into the general fund of their
respective counties any money now
placed to the credit Of any township
upon any duplicate for taxes where
the same has remained uncalled for
during period Of ten years, provid-
ing the right to the same is not In
litigation or a matter of dispute.
The Spatz bill authorizing a tax Of
81 on each bicycle Is not likely to have
many friends, unles 1t is amended to
include various vehicles. 1t would be
both unjust and unconstitutional to
enact measure Of this kind without
extending it to embrace all vehicles.
Apportionment Sentiment Growing.
Strange to say, sentiment is de-
veloping in favor of apportionment,
or to the bill to effect this, and as in
troduced by Mr.. Patterson, of Blair 1t
is becoming recognized at present that
after all there Is more to be gained
by the passage of a law effecting a new
apportionment during this session than
to wait until after the next census.
Many are realizing that some districts
in the state are increasing in popula-
ton very little, while in others the in
crease is very great, and the next CEN
sus will occasion very many surprises
in this connection. The basis of in
crease of 22R per cent between 1880
| and $780, If the apportionment is de-
ferred until after the census is taken.
will not be realized in q number of
districts, and it is thought that such
districts will fare better to have the
apportionment at present than to defer
| it. By the provisions Of this bill the
number of members Of both houses
| is reduced to 200 in all.
These bills received favorable con-
sideration recently: Requiring street
| railway companies to inclose the front
| and rear platforms Of their cars dur
ing the winter months; requiring school
| directors or controllers to allow school
children to have the use Of the books
furnished them by the board any time
during the vacation between school
terms, and providing that a teacher
of such schools shall possess a valid
certificate issued by the superinten-
tent of schools amending the act OF
May 8, 1854, to allow school directors
| or controllers to levy a special tax
not exceeding the amount of the an.
nual tax nor oftener than once a year
| to be applied for the purchase OF
grounds and the erection and furnish.
ing of buildings; senate bill regulating
the employment and providing for the
health and safety of persons employed
in sweatshops; senate bill authorizing
school directors or controllers to es
tablish and maintain out of the public
school treasury free kindergartens fol
children between 3 and years Of age
residing in the district; authorizing
county commissioners to accept as
A county bridge any bridge over an!
stream or river running into or through
any county; authorizing suits at Law
by either party that may be dissatis
fed with the decisions of the boarS
in regard to granting warrants for va
cant lands; to provide for the protec
ton of health of domestic animals
providing for the collection of amount
due the state for purchase money, in
terest and fees due on unpatente,
lands; senate bill to continue in full tn
act of May 49, 1S93 to extend the tim
which corporations may hold and con
vey the title to real estate heretofor
bought under execution or conveys
to them in satisfaction OF debts an
now remaining in their hands unsold
For Establishing Poor Farms.
OF the bills introduced and on tn
| calendar that are of special import
ance, and are likely to be disposed c
during the session. is senate bill n,
1S9, which was read in place in tn
senate March 10, and has since passe
finally in the upper house. This
now in the judiciary general committe
of the house. 1t provides for the coui
taking action on the establishment {
a poor farm in any of the counties nc
having such institutions on a petitio
of a majority of the overseers of tn
poor, instead of a two-thirds vote, a
now required. Several bills have bee
offered>for the enactment of laws fC
the establishment of poor farms, an
of those introduced the senate bill +,
ferred to is likely to be the most pop,
lar, since it is very short and plain
its construction. The Gould bill, 6
| nrpnnrel hU tha Poor Diraotar.,