The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1897-07-15

biii With the Distinct understanding
that the public school appropriation
was not to be cut, Second: That the
item Of $1eo. 900 for normal schools was
to be reinserted In the general ap-
preparation bill. II was also part Of the
agreement that as an evidence of good
faith Speaker Boyer would come down
out Of his seat. make a speech upon the
subject. and give his personal word
that the school appropriation would
not be cut, and that the normal schools
would be protected.
Thus In one night all Mr.. Cuays pet
plans were swept away. He was COM
PEELED to tax beer. he was compelled to
agree not to reduce the school fund.
and he was compelled to make an APP
propriation for the normal schools.
The "Seventy-six" comes out Of this
legislative fight crowned as the bills
champions. They fought the bosses and
all the combined machinery Of the Re-
publican leaders successfully.
The Lexow Licked.
There were more notable features in
connection with this legislature. other
than those quoted above. The Lexow
committee was never brought forth. II
was well known that 1t could not be
passed. and It was DENIED wiser to let
1t lie over untn a more kindly legisla-
ture would pay its expenses. II such
a legislature was ever elected.
The various investigating commit
tees, which had piled up numerous ex-
pense bills, were all compelled to cut
them down nearly one-half. Few
greater raids on the treasury had been
organized than these expense bills, but
the house. not the senate. voted against
paying them until, at last, rather than
lose all. the men who demanded the
extortionate sums were compelled to
come down to actual items Of expense,
and then the bills passed.
In an interview. following the close
Of the Legislature ON Thursday. Mr.. E..
A. Van Valkenburg, of the Seventy
SIX" had this to say concerning its
work:
THE legislature Of '97 Is Senator
Quays Frankenstein. Its record. like
a nightmare, will pursue its creator
even to the solitudes Of Brigantine and
st. Lucie. Helplessly man acted, the
dominant faction could do no better.
THE half has not been told, yet the
present legislature was not worse than
others OF the past, obedient to the same
power. But never in the history Of
Pennsylvania has such determined and
unceasing war been waged against the
battlements of machinism. The mantle
OF the patriots Of 76' has fallen upon
the 70 OF 81.
What They Accomplished.
Though a small minority. what have
they accomplished? They have forced
the passage OF the state deposit in
terest bill. for a quarter Of century
the citadel Of Quays strength. and
given to the people 100000 annually
that heretofore has been perpetual
campaign fund for the machine. They
have defeated the attempts Of the ma
chine to create thousands Of new Of
fices for the redemption of campaign
promises. They have defeated the in
famous Lexow and other bogus lnves-
tigating committee bills. aggregating
more than $4,000.
They have laid the foundation for
great revenues In the future from beer.
the most legitimate subject OF taxation.
and though the beer brewers interest
has been guaranteed immunity from
taxation. the lines Of rs projectors
have been forced. 1t has laid bare
many OF the secrets Of capitol hill. and
exposed the glaring frauds and steals
Of the general appropriation bill II has
protected the pure butter interests Of
the state. saved the normal schools and
prevented the reduction of the public
schools appropriation, that less than a
fortnight ago. from this very town.
Senator Quay gave peremptory and
positive orders to cut $1,000.O0
The 'seventy-six' are for reform
within party lines. Political machines
and political bosses may read their
doom In the advancement Of the same
aims that kept afame the spirit Of
T6."