Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1897-12-03
HARRISBURG LETTER.
Compendium of Important
News of the Past Week.

tance to Every Citizen Of the Key
stone state.
HARRISBURG, Nov. 30. A very
commendable act and one that has
caused general rejoicing throughout
the state, being very appropriate at
this Thanksgiving season, is the de
cision Of the Secretary of Internal
Affairs Latta in regards to the col
lection of money due the Common
wealth for puachase money, inter-
est and fees on lands that were pur-
chased years ago from the state, to
which full title is not held. Owing
TO the sad distress the enforcement
of this law has caused Mr.. Latta in
structed his deputy to cease the
forcible collection of this money, as
the following letter shows:
Harrisburg, Pa, Nov. &c, 1897
"Major Isaac b. Brown, Deputy
Secretary of Internal Affairs.
"Dear Sir The collection of the
unpaid purchase money upon the
land lien docket has developed so
many instances of real hardships,
particularly in the excessive charges
of interest imposed by the act of
1864, that / am inclined to think the
next Legislature would be disposed
to afford relief The State can lose
nothing by the delay and can be
liberal if she chooses. You will be
good enough, therefore, to suspend
further collections, except from
those who may prefer TO perfect
their title.
'Very respectfully yours,
JAMES w. LATTA,
Secretary"
This course was not pursued uD-
til after careful deliberation and
Secretary Latta being convinced of
the hardships the present innocent
holders, who were not aware of the
lien against the lands, had to endur e.
The representatives who voted for
the recently enacted measure are
being spotted and if the law is en-
forced the people threaten them
with defeat if they ever again come
out for Office. 1t is the general sup
position, however, that the next
Legislature will promptly repeal this
Act as it now exists. Secretary
Iatta says that at the most only a
quarter of a million dollars could be
raised from this source, which is no
comparison with the misery that
the enforcement of the law would
cause.
NOT MATERIALLY CHANGED.
The gubernatorial situation in Re-
publican ranks is about the same as
last week, except the forcing of At
torney General Mccormick into the
fight. However, this was stated
some time ago and consequently is
no surprise. Although he has not
openly been declared a candidate
there is a scheme on foot by his as
sociates to push him forward, and
the announcement of his candidacy
in short while will not Se startling
news. There appe ars to be a strong
combination at work and it looks
as if certain politicians would unite
upon anyone in preference to Col.
VIM. A. Stone, who logically, is the
peoples candidate, as has been de
monstrated recently by various or
carnations passing resolutions en-
dorsing his candidacy. Be as If
may Stone is in the fight to win and
be will prove this conclusively at
the convention next year. P. A. b.
Widener's announcement of his in
-. 10. 4hn E,snn / 4
rary of Philadelphia his palatial $l,-
600, 900 residence in that city car
ries with it great significance at this
time, owing to the fact that he is an
aspirant for the governorship. Re
gardless of his candidacy the street
car magnate had long considered
his intention of this philanthropiC
move, but at the same time it has
the appearance of being an appeal
to the people to secure for him the
nomination. 1t is doubtful though
that Widener will long remain in
the contest. In Democratic circlei
there is no excitement and the only
proposed candidates thus far ar
Col. James NJ. Guffey, of Pittsburg
and Ex-Governor Pattison.
DEPARTMENT NOTES.
State Treasurer elect Beacom ha
siguified his intention of retaining
Treasurer Haywood. if possible, a
cashier of the State treasury.
State Senator Arthur Kenned.
SAYS he viii be q candidate for re
election from Allegheny, althongl
the Quay forces are opposing hin
Ssnat or @. c. Kaufman is also de
sirous to succeed himself and so ha
announced himself and so has an
nounoad the fact to his Lancaste
constituents. Kaufman is an or
and out reformer and during IL
last session was style 'the indepei
dent senator.
The State dental examining boar
viii hold its first meeting in Phlli
deldhia next Monday and Tuesda,
All persons who desire to enter upo
the practice of dentistry in tn
state must pass the State board q
amina ton and receive a hceni
from the Dental Council.
WILL +. BENDRicKsoN.
The bicycle shopof p. Q Rutan