Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1897-06-04
HARRISBURG LETTER.
Longest Legislative Session Under
the New Constitution.
NO ADJOURNMENT BEFORE JULY.
Lack OF Leadership in the House Has
Tended to Delay Action In That
Body-rbe Modified Reform Bills to
Be Pushed Through.

Body-rhe Modified Reform Bills to
Be pushed Through.
Especial correspondence
Harrisburg, June AL factions
agree that this will be the longest ses-
sion of the legislature since the adop
tion Of the new constitution. There has
been much talk about final adjourn
ment, but the work Of the house is so
hopelessly delayed by adjournments
and recesses on every imaginable pre-
text that It will not be possible now to
dissolve the lawmaking branch until
the beginning Of July. Governor Hast
ings says he will be agreeaby sur
prised II the legislature finishes it's
work before the middle of that month.
For a month at least the senate has
been in session a few hours each week,
waiting on the house to catch up. but
the lower branch seems determined 70
remain far in the rear. OF course, the
burning Of the old capitol Is given as
an excuse for the present condition of
legislative business, but those who are
on the ground know that the destruc-
tion of the old state house has not
been the real cause of the delay. There
has been a disposition almost from the
beginning of the session to dllly daily
and those who want to work are be-
coming thoroughly disgusted with the
way things are going.
One trouble during this session has
been the absolute lack of leadership in
the house. 1t has been a very difficult
body to handle, even in the legitimate
sense. There are many petty jealous
les, and any man who assumes to die
tate the course of procedure on any
measure is sure to be sat upon by his
colleagues. Some members seem to
think that it is the height of states
manship to do something that some
other member does not want done.
The factiona1 differences in the Repub-
lican party at the organization of the
legislature have contributed in some
measure to the slow progress of legis-
lation.
All the bills indorsed by the Repub-
lican state convention are going
through in a modified form, and will
probably be approved by the governor.
They provide against interference in
primary elections by municipal en-
ployes, against arbitrary assessments
of officeholders and for the payment
Of the poll tax by the individual voter.
or on his order. The civil service bill
The Stewart bill providing for the
payment of interest on state funds
deposited in banks throughout the
commonwealth has ben hanging fire
in the senate committee for some time.
1t has been amended and will prob
ably run the gauntlet of the senate
this week In it's revised form. 1t pro-
vides for 2 per cent. on all deposits in
banks other than the five active de-
positories in Philadelphia, Pittsburg
and Harrisburg, which will be re-
quired to pay 1 per cent on daily bal
ances. These five repositories, under
the amended bill, will be appointed by
the state treasurer, subject to the ap-
proval Of the board of accounts.
Walton For President of the Senate.
There has been considerable interest
in the selection of the president pro
tenn of the senate at the close of the
present session. This officer is always
selected at the preceding session, in
order to provide against any con-
| tingency that may arise In the gov
ernment of the state, as for instance
the death or resignation of the gov
ernor and the consequent promotion
| of the lieutenant governor, eX-ofIicio
| presiding officer of the senate. 1t Is
now practically agreed that Senator
| Walton, of the Fayette-G Green district
hall succeed Senator McCarrell in the
presidents chair.
Some attempts were made last week
| to array the legislature against the
| governor on veto messages He has
been using the veto ak pretty freely on
resolutions authorizing the printing of
voluminous reports of special commits
sions and committees at a great ex-
pense to the state, and this action on
his part is understood to mean that he
will treat certain appropriation bills in
which the gentlemen opposed to him
are Interested in a similar manner.
! These are now endeavoring to show
that the governor is inconsistent in
vetoing certain expense bills and ap-
proving certain others. They point out
that as president of the board of pub
lie buildings and grounds he approved
a bill of over $4,000 for fitting up Grace
church and other temporary quarters
for the legislature and state officials.
They denounce this bill as excessively
extravagant, and declare that as the
governor assumed responsibility for
Transforming the church into a legisla-
tive chamber he must also assume re-
sponsibility for the expenditures COM
planned Of. Members of the board of
public buildings and grounds explain
that the large amount of money spent
In the reftting of the church and the
other quarters made necessary by the
fire represents the exact cost, plus a
reasonable profit for the dealers from
whom the purchases were made.
Proposed Tax on Oleomargarine.
Those charged with the duty Of rails
ing revenue for the commonwealth
have discovered that they have under
taken a big job They have made one
suggestion after another, only to be
met with opposition, and it looks now
as If it will be necessary to reach some
sort Of a compromise on revenue meas.
ures and cut down the appropriations
10 suit the situation. Governor Hast.
ings declared a day or two ago that ht
would sign such bills as We're proper
up to the limit of the revenues. and
that not cent of appropriation woull
be approved by him beyond that limit
This means that 1t win be futile fol
the legislature to pass a lot of appro.
priations bills. with the expectation
that the governor will sign them. L
has been suggested that appropriation
bills be put through and the state
treasurer be made TO assume the re-
sponsibility for refusing to pay tn,
money State Treasurer Haywood ha,
not had an easy row to hoe during hi
term.
1t is now proposed to place tax OF
oleomargarine In order to raise reVe
nue.. This VIII involve the licensing o
dealers and practically legalizing tn
sale of oleo throughout the state. !