The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1897-02-24
HARRISBURG LETTER,


gotten down to business in fairly good
shape. The fire came just as the work of
the session was starting, and had it not
been for that unfortunate episode both
Houses would have been fully as far
along In their business as at any time in
this stage of the session. AS IL is now
the House passed its first bill finally on
Thursday of last week in fact, it passed
several on that day, none Of which arc of
special interest to our people, unless it be
one to "provide for the pay Of coroners
for viewing dead body when no inquest
is held" The bill is designed to lessen
expense 10 counties by allowing pay to
coroners only, who otherwise might en-
tail upon the county the expense of sum-
moning jury.
The new legislative hall, or church, |
rather, while not yet perfect by any |
means, has been arranged quite comfort |
ably for the transaction of business, hav-
ing undergone a complete remodeling |
from pit to dome. The basement has un- |
dergone complete transformation.
FASTING and folding rooms for both SEN
ate and House have been fitted up, stor
age rooms, steam heating and electrical
apparatus and all modern conveniences
added. The generous NJ. e. brethren
will scarcely recognize their fine edifice
when the legislature is through with it,
but they will have a much more modern
and up-to-date arrangement of things
when the building is again turned over
to them, though it may take some airing
and fumigating to kill the "aroma' of
twofors, tobies, etc.
Some legislation in the direction of
''good roads, has found its way into the
> Senate, but nothing of the kind has as
yet hit the House. Fact is, after all the
talk for better road legislation the aver
age solon is just little shy on that point,
fearing he may vote upon his people an
unpopular or expensive law, and then
the dickens would be to pay. After all,
tho great problem still unsolved is-how
to get better roads without increasing
taxation. The gentleman who will find
a solution to this poser will immortalize
himself and no mistake. Apropos of the
good roads question, Senator Brown of
Westmoreland county is the first to the
front with new proposition. His bill
provides that on the third Tuesday OF
February after the passage of the act, =, and
every three years thereafter there shall
be elected in the several townships of the
state one person to be known as Town
ship Supervisor. His compensation shall
be 81 per day for each day of actual sworr
service. His bond is to be in the sum o
$1,000. 1t also provides that on the frs
Monday of March, each year, the severa
township supervisors shall meet in con
vention. majority of the convention
shall have the power to establish ant
maintain thorough and uniform system
of improving the public roads in all O
the townships of the county. At the con
vention is also to be levied a road tax Of
all property not exceeding eight mill
valuation. 1t shall be the duty of tn
Collectors of road tax to pay the same {
the County Treasurer, who is to keep
separate account of all moneys receive
from each township for road taxes. II
is 70 disburse this money upon the pre-
sentation of warrants signed by the town
ship supervisors. A penalty clause is al
tached which provides that any TOWNSHIP
supervisor or district foreman who sha
violate the provisions of the act, shall
upon conviction, be sentenced to pay
fine of not more than 81 and undergo in
prisonment not exceeding one year.
Another measure on the subject, know
as the Hamilton road bill, has been il
troduced by Senator McQuown, of Clea
field. 1t was prepared by Prof Jot
Hamilton, Deputy Secretary of Agricu
ture, and has the endorsement of the a
ministration. 1t is different in some r
spects to the Brown bill. By its tern
no person shall be eligible to the office
Road Supervisor who is not a freehold
and who has not been a citizen of t
township two years before the electio
The road tax to be levied is not to exec
ten mills on the last adjusted Valuati
for county purposes. Upon every re
dent male taxable q years of age the S
pervisors are to assess 81 in addition
the millage above mentioned. A Ros
master is to be employed in each distr
who shall work on the roads at le
seven months of the year. One-half
the tax levied is payable in money a
the other half in work. Failure on
part of any taxpayer before the 10Th
April, each year 10 notify the supervis
of his intention to work out his tax sh
be regarded as a waiver of his right q
the whole amount shall be collectable.
The Professor will find that his
will have "hard road' TO travel wi
he takes away the average taxpay'
right to "work out hi- tax" or any 7
ton of it, Otherwise the bill is fai
satisfactory.
The cigarette bill is on hand this
sion, and ought to pass, but whethe
will or not is a rather mooted quest
IL prohibits absolutely the manufact
or sale of the paper-wrapped sec
nails" There's a heap of people in
State who like to puff the nasty thi
and the sale has gotten to be imme
hence the heavy influence which will
brought TO bear to defeat the bill.
The high theatre hat had an inning
the House last week and notwithst
ing the bill was dumped onto''
most severely denounced by numb
members, who were playing 10 the