The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-07-08
HARRISBURG LETTER
Work Of the Legislature Which
Has Just Adjourned.
A VERY REMARKABLE SESSION.

The House One of the Most Independ
ent of ANY in Recent Years-The Fac
tional warfare-How the Question o.
Raising Revenue Was Finally Settled
Especial Correspondence.)
Harrisburg. July s-The record OF
the legislature Of 1897 has been made
up, and nothing which may be said
now will in the slightest affect that
record. In the closing hour OF the ses-
sion, when the era Of good feeling pre-
vailed. and when the asperities Of the
long session had been in a measure
smoothed away by the thoughts OF
parting, Speaker Boyer took occasion,
In responding to some complimentary
remarks on a resolution thanking him
for his impartial and able discharge Of
the duties of presiding officer. to say
that the present house had done much
that was good and that, not withstand
Ing the criticism which had gone
broadcast throughout the state, when
the people OF the commonwealth had
an opportunity to study the record OF
the legislature they would give praise
where praise belonged and properly
estimate the work of their representa-
ttves.
II was remarkable session in many
respects and much might be said Of it
In commentator. As a rule the senate
IL not much discussed. because it is in
the nature of continuing body, but
the house, being composed of represen-
tatives fresh from the people, is always
looked upon as the branch OF the legis-
iseure most to be praised or con-
demned. In this view Of 1t. therefore, It
10 proper to say that no house in re-
cent years was more independent in
its treatment of all questions before II
nor more honest in its effort to do that
which was right. OF course. as in all
large bodies. there was the element
which cared nothing for public opin-
lon and was responsible to nobody.
This element was responsible for many
things which reflected upon the MEM
oershfp of the entire house When the
record Is gone over carefully It will be
found that much that was condemned
never reached the stage of final ac-
tion. Many excellent measures have be-
come laws. and 1t remains for Cover
nor Hastings to finally dispose of
those which are open to fair objection
either on the score Of extravagence or
vicfousness. During the next 30 days
the governor will clear his table of the
pills left him as legacy by the legis-
'ature. and he has said that the veto
AZ Will be used vigorously upon all
measures that are excessively ex-
travagent or which are against the
public welfare.
The Fractional Warfare.
IN this connection a word about the
lactional warfare In the house during
The session may not be amiss. Owing
10 the great fight over the seat Of sena-
Tor Cameron, at the outset of the ses-
Non. more or less bitter factional
ceiling prevailed throughout the entire |
III months Of the term. The wana.
maker forces lined up under the leader.
nip OF E. A. Van ValkenburR, who
managed the anti-Quay fight under
Ersat odds with consummate skill. So
veil did he handle the minority which
,sld the balance Of power, that he was
after adjournment on
he opposite side. One Of the most con-
'picuous leaders in the state said to
'im that had 1t not been for his tao
!cai resources and his ability to make
he most Of every situation the Quay
'eopie would have easily controlled and
hrected the policy of the house upon
very Dill under consideration. Mr.. Van
laRenburg modestly disclaimed any
IN no ov>HA
emarked that he had come here as
ne OF the friends of Mr.. Wanamaker,
DO all he could for that gentleman's
'evation TO the place Of United States
enstor Having failed in this ne felt
MS duty to stand with his friends
nd to accomplish all that 1t was pos
ioie 10 accomplish In contest of this
ind.
During the closing days there was an
hot fight against the
roposition to increase excessively the
AZ on foreign insurance companies for
he purpose Of increasing the revenues
the state. Prominent insurance rep
essntauves from all parts of the
ountry were here to argue against the
ol'cy Of increasing the tax of outside
insurance companies, In view of the
Sce thdt otneT states would retaliate |
pom Pennsylvania companies, and in
he end compel the holders of insurance
olices In this state to pay the ad-
itonal tax. The bill was defeated a
ew hours before final adjournment.
nd the tax on foreign insurance com
anies remains at per cent
The various revenue bills passed and
snt to the governor during the session
re estimated to increase the revenues
the state about $1,000, 900, and this
mount. 1t is believed. will be suf-
Client to pay all the appropriation
Ills passed this week.
The New License Law.
The most important fight of the ses-
IN occurred during the last "a hours OF ]
le life of the legislature. 1t was on the
vi amending the general license law.
Then the bills taxing beer were aban-
oned In the senate another scheme of
avenue was devised which embraced
general reclassifcation of licenses.
'cluding brewers. distillers and bot
ers. When this bill came back to the
ouse that body. which had passed the
eer bills originally. Insisted that the ,
roper Way to raise revenua mn, .. .