The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-01-14

Many Applicants for Places.
In view of tho long recess and the con-
tingencics that might arise after the cleo
tion of the United States senator, the slate
committees Of the senate and house did
not make report before the adjourn
ment They will meet during tho recess
and decide who shall occupy the various
clerkships and subordinate positions on
both sides of the capitol. There's a small
army of applicants, and these committed
will not have an easy time Of It in deter.
mining the claims Of tho various county
delegations. Such demand for positions
has not been known for several years, and
the committees have determined to appor.
tion the places throughout the state AZ
fairly rs possible,
A great mass of bills will be precipi.
tated on the luckloss legislature after the
recess Among the measures to be intro.
duced arc several amendments to the
Brooks high license law, which is alleged
TO have operated unfairly in different cities
Of the state The State Liquor league has
its representatives here, and they will In.
sist that some changes shall be made so "a
to wipe out inequalities about which they
complain. They are especially desrous Of
having some stringent provisions inserted,
either in the Brooks law or in new law,
against the unlicensed clubs, which they
contend are scarcely more than speak
easies. They declare that the liquor selle,
Is at the mercy of these places inasmuch
as the dealer is compelled to pay high
license and receives no protection, while
the association known as q club sells its
liquor without a fee and without danger
of the minions of the law interfering.
They say with some force that clubs and
associations of this character should be
compelled to take out license the same
as hotel proprietor and saloonkeeper. II
Is reported that the Massachusetts, law,
which is n very radical measure, and the
Raines law, now in operation In New
York, will both be presented in some form,
and rs result compromise measure
will be agreed upon.
Another bill which is to be introduced
is one against the wearing Of high hats in
theatres. Lieutenant Governor Lyon has
been asked by ladies' club Of Pittsburg
to prepare this bill, and 1t will be pushed
along by the women who are interested in
its passage. Such bill will probably have
little opposition, inasmuch as there is O
demand for 1t all over the state.
Several road bills have been framed, and
dozen bits of legislation affecting prim-
ary elections are also in process OF incuba-
ton. Every member ii the legislature has
bill or two in his possession, and after
the recess the deluge will commence
A Great Mass of New Bills.
From session to session one wonders
what necessity there Is for so much legis-
lation, but at each recurring meeting Of
the legislature a great mass of bills con-
tinues to roll in upon the capitol, and un-
less the people call q halt IL will be diff
cult after awhile for even the lawyers to
determine the rights of the citizen or cor
poration. A lot of bills are passed at every
session, many Of them useless, and not
withstanding the pruning Of the governor
there Is much unnecessary loading of the
statute books of the commonwealth. II
1t would be possible for the legislature to
meet in January, pass the appropriation
bills that are necessary, make such changes
in the laws as may seem for the best in
forests of the people, and adjourn, every
body would be better satisfied; but this
seems out OF the question under present
political conditions.
Governor Hastings has decided views
about the participation of the National
Guard in the ceremonies incident to the
Of the president-elect at
Washington. He has opposed the par
ticipation Of the entire National Guard at
the Inauguration because of the expense
and the Inconvenience to the officers and
men. He docs not think that the men
ought to be asked to subsist themselves
as they have heretofore, and he will not
agree to involve the state in any expense
for the transportation Of the troops. Not.
the position of the governor,
O large per cent. Of the guard desires to
attend the Inauguration, and the proba.
bility is that the division will march on
avenue as in the past.
Attorney General Mccormick has given
a very emphatic opinion in the matter Of
the objections to the consolidation of the
Reading Railway and Coal companies
under the omnibus charter of the old
National company. Ho finds that the
cannot interfere, because
the charter Of the Nation company,
which was purchased by the Reading, au-
thorized it to do the business in which 1t
was engaged, prior to the adoption Of the
new constitution. He says, In conclusion:
1.-THE wisdom of the trainers of the consti-
tuition of "a in denying to the legislature
the power to grant special charters be-
comes apparent in the consideration of the
powers granted by the charter of
the Reading company, and the only con-
ISOLATION of the present generation is that
they are not responsible therefor"
Lively Contest Over . Clsrkship.
There was lively conflict in the senate
between Senator Saylor, of Montgomery,
and Senator Meredith, of Armstrong, over
the reading clerkship. Senator Saylor,
being a member Of the slate committee,
has landed his man, L. M. Kelly, and Sem
ator Meredith has been satisfied by the
making of his candidate, Ex- Representa-
tive Cochran, Of Armstrong the clerk Of
the president pro tenn.
Senator Penrose, who Is sure to be
elected United States senator on the reas-
sembling of the legislature will probably
retain his seat until the end of the present
Legislative session, unless special session
Of congress should be called, in which
evt MT he will resign his seat about March
iald go to Washington. There are sew
err precedents for this proposed action,
an Senator Quay Is understood to be de-
sir 'us of having Senator Penrose remain
L.. H.. -. Il. - L.