The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-02-15
NEWS FROM
HARRISBURG
Grace Church Has All the Features Of a
Capitol Building.
NEED OF INCREASED TAXATION |
Measures Which Propose Revenue From
the Great Natural Resources Of the
Commonwealth Opposition to
Increasing the Burdens
Of the Farmers

vised quarters Of the legislature in the
past few days, and Grace Methodist
Episcopal church at the present time
presents in its interior all the features
of capitol building, so that when the
legislature convenes again on Wednes-
day the members win find new desks
have been provided, and everything
established to add to their comfort and
convenience. It is to be hoped nothing
further viii hinder them in their work
during the remainder Of the session.
One of the members remarked in joe
ular way a few days ago that it looked
now as though there had only been
two things accomplished since the or
ganization-the election of a United
/ States senator and the burning of the
capitol But there is a determination
to get down to business, and from
| present indication there is every reason
to Justify the belief that much good
will be accomplished this session.
There has been much discussion
among the members of both branches
of the legislature on a number of ques-
tions of importance to the state, and
the deep interests that is taken, and
the many plans proposed would lead
a person to conclude that, after all,
the fire was a blessing in disguise. One
thing is certain. it will result in a
more efficient fire department in Har-
risburg, and greater security will be
/ given to the remainder of the property
| Of the state on the hill, especially
/ those which contain the important rec
ords of the state. 1t is possible that
through the loss entailed, and the fact
/ that a create revenue viii be required
a new source Of revenue will be de-
veloped
why Minerals Should he Taxed.
1t is contended by some Of the mem
bers that the citizens of Pennsylvania
have made mistake heretofore in not
exacting a state tax on the more inn
portant minerals mined and produced
within the limits of the state. They
claim that the mining of coal has been
made profitable to a number Of persons
who have taken their profits to build
/ palaces in New York city and engage
in enterprises in other states.
The production Of petroleum has been
the means of securing great wealth to
number of persons, some of whom
/ have used it to engage in manufacture
ing on a gigantic scale in other states,
and also used a part of their profits in
/ the establishment of universities in diff
/ ferent parts of the country. 1t is claim-
ed that the development of these enter
prises have been a great source Of ex-
/ pense to the state, owing to the large
percentage Of foreigners that have been
brought into the state, and through
whom the percentage of crime has in
| creased, requiring an increased eX-
penditure in the state in their incarcer-
alton in the prisons. Then, as there is
more or less hazard connection with
these occupations, there is necessarily
an increase in the number of patients
to the various hospitals belonging to
the state. These, and the fact that con-
siderable expense is necessary in the
surveillance over the various mining
interests by the state, and other feat
ures they believe, justifies the state in
demanding a state tax on coal, petro-
leum and other mineral products; and
with these, in addition to the revenues
now collected, there can be sufficient
1 raised to build a new capitol building
that will be a credit, and have a bal
ance to devote to the Improvement OF
roads, school purposes or anything else
of Importance to Pennsylvania
Those who oppose the imposing of &
tax on the various mineral resources
of the state claim that it would only
put a 4ul lllNI DuIuell Oh lIlt consumer
of the state, who are very large user,
of those minerals and who would hav,
to pay this tax in the end, and jus
how to eliminate this feature from tn,
question is what is perplexing thos,
who are advocating a tax on the prin
cipal mineral elements
A bill recently introduced imposes
tax on all beer and porter manufac
tured or brewed in the state during tn,
ensuing three years. The amount o
the tax Is one-half Of 1 per cent. upoi
each gallon of beer, ale or porter brew
ed within the state, and in this tax /
is thought considerable revenue can b
derived.
There is a determined stand agains
any increase Of taxes on the farming
interests, which will have an inhuenc
2 on legislation increasing the taxes OF
farms, and no further burden Is Ikel
to be imposed on this overburdene,
class.
Additional Taxation Proposed.
bill was introduced by Mr.. Bliss
q Of Delaware, imposing these addition
; al taxes, all of which shall be retaine,
Y in the state treasury for the use of tn
commonwealth; One mill to be i'm
posed on personal property, excep
2 public loans liable to taxation unde
the act Of 1889 and 1891; one mill on tn
actual value of all capital stock an,
gross receipts subject to taxation un
der these acts; 2 per cent on the gros
receipts Of every character and de
scription received from business don
within the commonwealth during III
next three years by insurance compa
nies of other states and foreign gov
an far4f ft Sub