Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1897-04-16

= very AiHAhNN NAini HNANA AHAAAs 0AAN kA
the elements that give strength TO this
Influence comes from the Democratic
members who stand in solid phalanx
and throw their weight to one side or
the other as they are satisfied as to the
value Of the measures TO he enacted.
rhe other factions find It necessary to
secure their influence. and they nave to
have some regard fer the minority.
lt Is doubtful whether the house OF
representatives Of this commonwealth
was ever IN better trim to secure for
the people wise and judloicus legis-
lation than the present one. This Is
becoming more noticeable each week.
1t would be well If the senate were
similarly balanced. Too much smooth
ness characterizes this body. and they
are accredited with passing about
every measure that comes before them.
Another bill to pass the senate
within the past few days was the Ham
ilton road bill. or senate bill No. g. by
vote Of Il to G. This bin is growing
In popularity, and viii pass the house
with a good sized majority. There
seems TO be a strong sentiment devel-
opins in its favor in many OF the coun-
try districts.
Electric railway legislation Is now re-
I'm the interests of such enterprises were
favorably reported out Of the commit
tee on passenger railways The one
authorizes electric and other railroads
not operated by steam to carry freight,
while the other practically gives the
electric railways the right of eminent
domain. The object of these measures
is to avoid the influences of the SUI
preme court decision which has been
an obstacle to the extension of electric
roads into the country around Phila-
delphia.
The reform legislation that was
promised in The beginning does not
seem TO be in a very healthy condition.
as the bills already introduced In ref
erence to this are not regarded with
special favor. Some of the members
who were thought to be friends Of
these measures do not take kindly to
them. Unless there is a decided change
In the sentiment of the house there are
none Of the reform measures likely to
become laws.
Opposing an Excise Bill.
Although a meeting was held in the
chamber of the house Of representa-
tives in the interests of the excise COM
mission bill and a number of able at
torneys spoke in behalf of this meas
ure, their efforts seem 70 avail but lit
tie. The provisions OF this bin
authorizes the establishment Of a COM
mission composed of attorneys, or per-
sons learned in the law, whose duties
would be to pass upon all bills as to
their legal form and constitutionality
before they are introduced in either
house. 1t is feared that were this bill
to become a law there might a spirit
of favoritism develop. and in that event
only certain measures be permitted to
go before either house. 1t is also OBJ
iected to on the ground that it tends
to increase the number of the officials
Of the state, and thus add to the ex-
penses.
Although several apportionment bills
have been introduced. it is extremely
doubtful whether there is any legisa-
ton effected in this respect during this
/ session at least The difficulty is to
frame bills that would satisfy the ma
| jority. as in order to make a fair appor-
( tionment some counties would neces-
sarily have a reduced representation,
and this would incur great opposition
l'from such districts.
mittee is still wrangling with DR..
Swallow, who seems now to be in a de-
| fiant mood, and rather disposed to
choose his own time to furnish the evil
dence he is alleged to have in refer
ence to the burning of the capitol In
an open letter to Governor Hastings
State Treasurer Haywood and Auditor
/ General Mylin, members of the public
buildings and grounds commission. re-
garding their referring his request for
permission for himself and others to
examine the ruins Of the old capitol
building to the attorney general for his
decision, he charges childish tactics,
and criticizes them very strongly But
the time has come when the doctor
must obey the tribunal before which
he Is cited to appear. as they have
right to know Of any knowledge or tes-
| timony he or his friends have to Offer
and he viii not gain anything by with
holding his information longer.
Little Evidence Against Agent Moore.
The legislative committee investigat-
ing the charges against Pure Food
Agent f. ~ Moore have succeeded in
getting but little evidence in relation
to the charges made against him thus
far.
The following statistics, as taken
from the books of the transcribing
I NANA tNf' ohbN NAiN IlbElfn0 VI AtklEldLlOn
in both the senate and house: House
bills read in place, 92S; house bills re-
ported from committee, 4Gf; senate bills
read in place In the senate, 4Os; senate
bills reported from house committee.
81 senate bills reported from house. so:
house bills passed and in the senate,
79' house bills in the governors hands,
IL; approved, o: recalled, 2; senate bills
passed IN the house, 8.
These bills passed the house finally
within the past few days. Requiring
constables to make returns TO court
only when they have violations of law
to report except where otherwise pro-
vided for by rule of court; authorizing
boroushs to make appropriations to es-
tablish and maintain free public liz
braries; TO provide for levying school
and school building taxes on the city
valuation In third class cities. where
the school district comprises the same
territority as the city; validating con-
veyances and instruments If writings
executed by attorneys in fact; supple
ment 20 the act of May 20, 1888. to pro-
vide for the assessment and collection
Of special taxes upon properties abut-
ting Tor street sDrinkling and street
cleaning.
June 20 1t is thought, win be the date
Of final adjournment. and an effort
Is being made TO have al the business
finished bv that time
Currency Evils Must he Corrected.
Twenty-Five trade associations met al
Young's hotel. in Boston, on March S
and decided to petition congress to pass
bill authorizing the president to ap-