The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-03-04
HARRISBURG LETTER.
DR.. Swallows Indirect Charges
Against State officials.
SOME NEW MEASURES PRESENTED.
Bill to Provide f~v Pure Gs.s .~a A.
other Co Re.spstrnas en-. rr,..~ mspsm--
meat "f tho ststs---fe rusn cue Q~a,
County nil.

| other Co RsesDstr uGt the Frisssi NJ " -
| meat Of tho srsts--,rs rusn 81. Q~a,
| County Mil.
Especial correspondancs)
Harrisburg. March Tho isgisia.
ture during the sessions OF last week
showed a disposition to work. and sua-
ceeded In the dispatch OF considerable
business. All the committees havs
been active. and at tonight's session
quite u number Of bills were reported
from the various committees Tor FUR.
ther consideration. AT this period nj
the sessions II bacoues both houses Ia
be as diligeDt - che work for which
they have been chosen as possible. as.
according to the Developments Of the
past few weelts. there Will bs very
many questions for both branches to
consider that should not be passed
upon too hastily.
Each week seems to add additional
work to what Is usually required. ana
II this continues 1t will bu we'll along
to the first or July before all the busi-
ness can be disposed of. A resolution
will be offered this week nxins May 1
as the date for finaI adjournment, but
In the present state of affairs this Is
impossible. as very little will be 40.
somplisbed this week, owing to tho In
auguration Of President Mckinley. and
II they get all their work finished by
the last of June 1t Will be about as
much as can be accomplished.
Dr. Swallows editorial in The Meth.
odist. setting forth a series Of startling
accusations that persons have been
paid money out of the state treasury
who rendered no service to tho state:
that persons have been asked to sign
receipt for from two To four times as
much ms they actually received; that
articles have bsen furnished the orphan
schools that cost the state eight foId
more than reliable bidders were will
Ing to furnish the same for; that the
burning OF the capitol buildings was
II at all accidental was also In a ssnsa
Incidental. and that II was n logical
sequence of having exhausted EXCUSES
for expending public money, etc.. has
caused quite a sensation.
In his testimony before the commit.
tee appointed to investigate the cause
of the capitol fire DE-. Swallow refused
to answer questions relating to th.s.
charges. and gave as his reasons thnt
as soon as u certain commission 10 ED.
pointed tho witnesses will be forth.
coming and the evidence supplied to
prove the charges made.
Detectives Have Been AZ Worn. III. s.,d.
Rumor Is current here that special
Detectives have been ut work on this
case for some time. and that the
charges made in The Methodist is ths
outcome of their Investigation These
charges seer, to astonish very many
OF the members. who are 10th to believe
that any dishonesty has been prasticed
by any OF the state officials.
1t Is thought that tho business OF the
state has been too closely watched in
the past ton years for any of the of.
ncials to practice dishonesty without
being found out. But. on tho other
hand. 1t is alleged that DR.. Swallow ts
. reputable citizen, responsible for his
acts. and deserves to have a hearing,
and II no can substantiate his charges
lot the guilty be punished. He claims
that he Will not divulge further infor-
nation unless a committee is appoint.
ed entirely devoid Of any political in
nusnces. and when that II done he Is
prepared to disclose some very start
ling news. Ho seems to invite q pros
ecution and a trial through tho courts.
In the belief that he will be enabled to
more thoroughly Investigate and prove
TO the satisfaction of a fair minded
jury that his accusations are correct.
The friends Of DR.. Swallow claim
that An Indictment brought by state
o6ic1als against the doctor for libel
on the strength of the publication is
just what he wanted. This accusation
viii no doubt result in the appoint
ment OF another committee composed
OF members Of both the senate ana
house to inquire into these charges
and aoertain IL there Is any truth in
them. II Is probable that the members
OF the committee to investigate the food
and dairy commission will be announc-
90 this week. and beginning made To
investigate this department.
DR.. Swallow claims he is receiving
offers OF assistance from different parts
OF the state to aid him In his prosecu.
ting the charges he has made. One
wealthy gentleman has offered TO uo
his security to the amount of 500 600
His arrest hns brought to his assist
anes many who are anxious to aid in
having fair and complete exposition
OF the purchasing agents OF the stat,
supplies.
There are now three investigating
committees. two Of which are organized
and at work. and the third will b,
ready to commence business In a few
days. and It is possible there NAV be
other developments to follow requiring
more Investigations.
Seine Proposed Nsv I.~.
Among the new bills introduced re-
ssntiy was one which provides that the
minimum salary hereafter paid to All
teaohars Of the public schools shaI, b.
SAo per month. and another nxins tn,
school term at eight months.
Another bill which has been ofrered
VIII affect every beer drinker in the
state. This provides that brewers shall
Keep all beer In stock for at least six
months before II IL offered for sale ar
put upon the market In the event a,
this becoming law II would contsm.
plate the appointment Of pure food in.