The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-02-25

The officers of this department feel
that an investigation will enable them
to show the Importance of this branch,
what they have accomplished and ex-
pect to realize in the future. They feel
they are prepared to show that their
sntire work has been above suspicion
and in the interests of the state. and
say If they are given an opportunity
70 show what they have done. they can
convince the investigators that their
department Is properly conducted.
The investigation OF the state treas
ury by the committee OF the legisla-
ture. OF which Senator Snyder, OF
Chester. is chairman. has begun work.
They have outlined their work to have
the investigation pushed rapidly after
their tomorrow's meeting. There is
not likely much to be developed from
this investigation. and the state might
as we'll have been spared the expense.
Opposing n Capitol Building Commission.
The report that a movement had
been started to create a commission to
have charge OF the erection of the new
capitol is still persistently denied. 1t
has had wholesome effect, however,
and has awakened the opposing fac
tions to be more watchful of each
others operations. With the Republi-
can forces divided and the Democrats
on the alert for political capital there
should be no job or scheme allowed to
develop in the construction of the new
buildings.
A headquarters has been established
In this city of the Pennsylvania branch
OF the National League of Business
Men. This is to be the rendezvous of
H.. ,exr-@ tN
the members of the Legislature who
voted for Wanamaker for United
States senator, and who claim they are
gaining in numbers and strength.
The visit of Senator Quay in Har-
risburg this week. 1t Is believed, is for
the purpose OF looking after the re-
form measures he is advocating.
From present indications this prom
ises to be the longest session the Penn
sylvania legislature has had in many
years. There are now over 700 bills to
act on by the various committees, and
there are likely to be more to follow.
Then there are ARRANGEMENTS to be
made for the construction of the new
building, the regular routine of work
to be accomplished, and a beginning
scarcely made in the work of either
house. This Is the situation after al
most two nsonths' time has elapsed.
OF course. there has been much to con-
tend with during this session. but un-
less there is more active and persist
ent work done during the remainder
of the session there cannot be much
accomplished.
The first week in March will be presi-
Dental inauguration week, and ad-
journment will be in order, and in that
event there will be little accomplished
during that week. so that the middle
of March will be here and more than
half of the session consumed and the
greater part OF the work remaining to
| be done.
The Coming Agricultural Congress.
G. G.. Hutchinson. chairman of the
! committee of arrangements for the
great agricultural congress of farmers.
under the auspices of the National
Grange of the United States. which is
| to convene in Harrisburg next fall.
and which will occupy in all about ten
days. Is at present making arrange
ments to entertain one of the most
important and interesting conventions
OF agriculturists ever held in this
country. There will be at this meeting
representatives from all parts Of the
| country.
State Treasurer Haywood is now en-
gagged In preparing a statement of the
states receipts and expenditures since
| 1S4O and the grand total will be up
wards of $400, 900. He estimates the
net receipts of the present year avail
able for appropriations are $9.76S, ,S29
while the estimated expenditures ag-
gregate $13.337. .344.42 for the general
fund, and s275,371.50 sinking fund. This
estimate does not include the cost OF
fitting up the temporary quarters OF
the legislature and the building Of q
new capitol.
There Is a strong sentiment develop
ing among the members of the i'm
portance of passing the bill requiring
interest to be paid on state deposits
Speaker Boyer. who served a term al
state treasurer, is in favor of the pas
sage OF this measure.
Interest on State Funds.
The Quay leaders have recently beer
investigating the governors or stat
treasurers Of the Most prominent state
In the Union as to whether their state
receive interest on deposits. and II tn
system was satisfactory. There hav
been answers received up to this tim
from "a states. OF the "a states hear,
from IA report receiving interest ol
their deposits Of from IA to 8 per cent
Six Of the number deposited in banks
and. like Pennsylvania, received no in
terest. and four kept their money Il
the state treasury. The states that re
port receiving interest claim that tn
system was satisfactory, except 4
! Wisconsin, where the responsibility
divided between the state treasure
and the banks.
Representative Bolles. of Philadel
phia. chairman Of the ways and mean
committee, to which the bill requirin
the payment OF interest on state fund
! has been referred, Is now very conf
dent that there is no doubt OF tn
> passage Of this bill, and 1t Is now onl
matter of arranging the details G
' the measure. and II these are satisfac
tory there will be scarcely a singl
vote against 1t.
The committee appointed at tn
Philadelphia meeting of the insuranc
companies which had insurance on TIL