The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-01-07

Mems league as indicative Of his political
foresight and discernment. He said to me
today, 81 believe that Mr. wanamaker
will win this fight as positively as I ever
believed anything in my life"
IL Is n Spectacular Fight.
Tho spectacular features incident to the
contest are unique, and nothing approach
ing 1t has ever before been seen in a sena-
torial fight In Pennsylvania. The street
! on which are situated the headquarters Of
the contestants Is one blaze Of electric
light On the front Of tho Penrose head
| quarters have been placed in letters Of fire
the words, philadelphia Choice For U.
| S. Senator, Hon. Boies Penrose," while
| from an arch in front of the fighting
ground of the ex postmaster general shine
out brilliantly the words, Pennsylvania s
Choice For U. S. Senator, Hon. John
| Wanamaker. In most of the business
places of the state capital there have been
posted conspicuously Autographs Of the
candidates BY the side of Senator Pen
| rose appears picture of Senator Quay, as
| If TO add strength to his candidates cause.
| With the lithograph of Mr.. Wanamaker is
seen that of President Elect Mckinley.
| Flags are lavishly displayed, and the city
/ is attired in holiday dress at those points
| at which the friends and supporters Of the
| two candidates are gathered. Tho Business
| Men's league occupies an entire building
on Walnut street, opposite the postoffice.
| Here, too electric lights shine forth and
the national colors are seen In profusion.
| On the first floor of the building have been
placed rows of chairs to bo used at the
meetings, and elaborate arrangements
have been completed for the comfort of tho
members. Hotels and business houses have
put on their gayest Dress and there is the
greatest enthusiasm over the contest
among the friends of both candidates.
There is. as might be expected on an oc-
casion of this kind, an unusually large
number of visitors and strangers in tho
city, some Of them here as lockers on, 9TH
ers as participants in the greatest senate
rial struggle in the states history. OF
course this condition acts favorably on the
capital city business man, and he looks
on complacently and wishes that like strug-
giles occurred more frequently.
The large park about the state buildings
gives evidence that a fierce struggle is on,
and the placards announcing the head
quarters of both Mr.. Penrose and Mr.
Wanamaker are moro numerous than on
any previous occasion. Visitors swarm
the buildings, and the one absorbing theme
of conversation is the senatorship.
The assembling Of the Legislature at
noon on Tuesday will bring together an
even larger crowd than that which is gath
cred in Harrisburg now for the senatorial
contest. Some will come as spectators, but
many more rs friends Of those who are
pushing their claims for places in the gift
Of the senate and house. There is always
q small army Of place hunters at the open
ing Of a session of the legislature. They
come from all parts Of the state, many OF
them being ex- members of the senate OF
house.
| Anticipated Legislation.
There promises to be a great grist OF
legislation. Bills without number have
already been prepared. Some important
amendments will be made to the Baker
ballot law, a bill to equalize taxation with
the Endorsement of the state grange will
be introduced, some radical changes in the
game laws will be made at the suggestion
of the state game commission, another at
tack will be made on the dealers in oleo
margarine, and there is talk of a bill tc
create state bureau of mines and min
ing. Other measures are under considera
tion, and Representative Robert Smith o.
Philadelphia will introduce resolution
l &n sy,x,A atA %ka 80 &kA 90, -
treasury with view to changing the pres
ent financial methods Of the common
wealth.
There promises to be lively discussion
over a bill to cover the expenses Of the sen
ate committee which has been investigat
ing the municipal affairs of Philadelphia
1t is intimated that the anti-Quay peopl
will strongly oppose any appropriation
and they are creating the impression tina
Governor Hastings will refuse to sign sucl
bill
There have been some very radical i'm
provements and changes in the halls Of tn
senate and house since the last session
On the senate side reception room ha
been provided for all visitors, and hereaft
or those desiring to have converse with tn
statesmen Of the upper branch will be re
quired to send In their card and wait tn
pleasure of the senator. This rule wa
made almost necessary by the invasion Q
the floor during sittings of the senate b.
all manner of persons. On the house sid
tho entire chamber has been remodeled s
as to present a wholly new interior Thi
was done to improve the acoustic proper
ties, defects In which were loudly com
planned of during the last session. Face
tious members two years ago referred t
the hall of the house as "the cave of tn
winds" The main rotunda has also bee
remodeled and the corridor dividing th
committee rooms has been arched and tn
!, sides lined with marble. These improve
ments and changes have cost pretty per
, ny, variously estimated at from 800, 90
to $150,00O. 1t might have been goo
! Investment for the state several years ag
to erect a new capitol. Changes and r,
modelling are so frequent as to justify tn
complaints that are heard at every sessio
of the legislature about reckless expend