The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-03-12


Protect the Button--Scheme TO
Regulate the Granting of Natural-
ization Papers.
Harrisburg, Pa, March 1.-THE re-
fusal of Or. Swallow to dtvulge the
names of his informants in alleging
negligence on the part of the state
custodian in the matter of the cauitol
fire was again brought to the attention
of'the senate this morning. Mr. wal
ton, chairman of the judiciary general
committee, made u report on the mat
ter, The committees recommendation
is that If the Joint committee pt in
VestigatiOn desires to compel the at
tendance of Or. Swallow before the
bar of either the senate or house, to
answer the questions which he has
refused to answer, that the committee
make to the legislature a full and COM
pletc report of its proceedings, so far
as the same relates to the subpOenaing
and examination of the editor preach
er. This practically postpOnes action
in the matter until next week.
Among the bills reported from the
committee was the measure creating
the office of excise commissioner.
From the committee ON education
Mi. short reported, with a NEGATIVE
recommendation, house bill relatu" to
the compensation of female teachers.
Mr. Kaufman, from the committee
on forestry reported the bill making
Cunstabes ex-otliCio fire wardens as
committed.
Among the other bills reported We're
those making unlawful public eXhibi-
tiOnS of hypnotism; providing for the
pay and mileage of CorUnerS: empower
ing county commissioners to employ
AN additional clerk. with a negative
recommendation.
Incident to the discussion on the act
governing CaucuSeS or conventions for
the nomination of public officers or
election of delegates to nominating
conventions MIR. Finn served notice
on Mr. Kennedy, the author of the bill,
that no matter what legislation he
had passed, it would not affect the Re
publican county organization in Allie
gheny The bill was passed finally.
N'WHINNEY RESOLUTION.
The senate was drawn into long
debate this afternoon over the report
ing relative to the McWhinney house
resolution authorizing an investigation
into the condition of the miners of the
Pittsburg bituminous coal district The
debate assumed a personal turn at sev-
eral points and had not been COnclud-
ed when Mr.. Grady. who was tempor-
arily presiding, declaring the motion
to adjourn, made by Mr.. Brown, of
Philadelphia, as carried.
AS originally presented to the SEN
ate the resolution called for an in
vestigation of the Pittsburg bitumiu-
Gus district AS reported from the
committee it was amended so as to eX-
tend its investigation to the anthracite
regions. 1t also delegated the power to
investigate to the mining committee,
which numbers forty in both branches
of the legislature.
Mr.. Finn made a savage attack on
this proposition denouncing it as far
cical and its purpose to destroy an
honest investigation. He declared
that corporate influence was back of
the move to increase the membership
of the committee. AS against forty he
favored five, because he said the .e-
spOnsiblity of a bad investigation or
the credit of a good one could then be
placed, Mr. Goblin was against large
membership. He believed it would de-
stroy the object of the resolution. With
biting sarcasm he said he admired the
modesty of the mines and mining COM
mittee in taking upon itself the re-
sponsibility of the investigation.
The two Schuylllill senator's Messrs
Coyle and Losch, engaged in some
what personal controversy as to the
necessity for an investigation of the
anthracite regions. The former fa-
Nored such move, while the, latter
claimed there was no necessity for it.
Mr.. Coyle attacked the Morgan in
terest in the coal business of the state,
but agreed with Mr.. LOsch that the
Philadelphia and Reading Coal and
iron company had been most humane
IN the treatment of its miners in the
SchuylkilI coal regions. He could not
tolerate, however, he said, the conduct
or these controlling the coal OUTPUT.
VINO are responsible for the small
amount of work and low wages.
MR.. KAUFFMANS APPEAL,
Mr. Kaufman, of Lancaster, made a
passionate appeal for the passage of
the original resolution. He said that
while the senate was engaged in fruit
less debate on the subject hundreds
OF miners were on the verge of starya-
ton. IN the name of God" said he
let us for once rise above factiOnal
feeling and give these people the relief
they seek. Let us be men, forgetting
politics, casting aside partisanship and
doing without prejudice that which we
believe to De the proper thing"
Mr. Merrck favored the report of the
committee and being interrogated by
Mr.. Losch as to his knowledge of the
condition of affairs in the anthracite
region said he secured his Information
from the newspaper and reliable men
Then turning ON the Schuylkill senator
he SAID; You're coal operator, are
you not?"
Mr.. Losch admitted he was, where,
upon Mr.. Merrick said the reason fol
his opposition to an investigation was
very plain.
Mr.. Brown, of Lawrence offered al
amendment, which was defeated pro.
Niding for two separate committees
ON the affairs of the two coal districts
10 consist of tive members each, three
from the house and two from the sen,
ate. Mr.. Browns amendment carried
with 1t an amendment offered by Mr.
Finn for one committee making the
membership five. This was of cours,
defeated and the question required OF
the report of the committee ON thl!
the vote was "a senators in favor ant
lG In opposition. Mr.. Grady still pre-
siding, declared that a twO-thirds vote
was necessary because the report q
the committee carried with a change n