The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-03-18

| necessary. The commissioner VIII az
point Ave special agents al $1,000 pc
annum and expenses. who will act a
confidential representatives OF tn
commissioner. to investigate matter
concerning the liquor traffic. They WI
have the right to designate any count
attorney or any attorney TO act wit
them, and to receive such fees a
agreed upon. The scope Of this bi
is very wide. permitting the right
entry at any and all times even Of
suspicion.
It is claimed by the friends OF thi
| measure that the liquor laws are no
enforced, and that II requires som
such power as provided in this com
| mission to give force and vitality t
existing statutes.
| To License Social Clubs.
As a means of providing funds TO
| the payment of the expenses Of th'
office Of excise commissioner a bill ha.
been introduced in the senate which
reduces every club of large or small
distinction to the grade Of common
tavern. and in many respects thi;
| measure will make IT more difficult tC
be a respectable club man than 1t doei
a saloen keeper.
| This bill provides that each club, IL
order to sell liquor, must be licensed
| at q cost OF SIS in townships, 500 ir
boroughs and $3.50 in cities of first and
| second class. and in the application
| for a club license the name Of the club
must be given. location and number OF
rooms, name OF secretary and treas
urer: Americans or naturaliZed for
| eigners: name Of owner of the prem
| Uses; whether the club Is for the eX-
elusive benefit of members; list of
names OF all bonafide members and
their residences; whether or not the
secretary or treasurer ever had a IL
cense revoked; the presentation OF two
bondsmen as security, with property
worth over $4,000: the signatures of
IL, with the statement that they are
personally aware that the facts set
forth are true, and the right of re-
monstrance on the part of the citizens.
1t is proposed to keep a separate ac-
count of all moneys received from club
licenses, and to use them for the pay
ment OF the running expenses Of the
excise commission.
Although the message Of Governor
Hastings on the construction of the
new capitol building, in which he ad-
vises a separate structure at a cost Of
$3.50, 900, which would include q hand
some main hall to be built on the CO.
lonial style of architecture, is meeting
with some approval throughout the
state, there is some opposition develop
ing among the members, especially
those who are interested in the passage
of the act establishing a building COM
mission.
Opposing a Cheap Capitol.
In commenting on the message a few
days ago a prominent member of the
house committee remarked: THE prop
osition to erect a structure for half
million dollars verges on the ridiculous.
II the limit had been fixed at 81 500, 600
the measure would be worthy of discus
sion. Then, too, I do not find an over
whelming sentiment in favor of the CO.
lonial style Of architecture. We want
no gingerbread structure, but some-
thing that is stately and substantial,
which will serve US for succeeding gen.
erations."
A large number of members think,
however, the suggestion a very good
OAN' oii0 hildt, dS lilt governor SOG-
gests, a main capitol building could be
erected of brick, stone and iron, fire
proof in character and in every way
in keeping with the dignity Of the COM
monwealth for this amount.
Governor Hastings has arrived at the
plans he suggests after long and care
full deliberation, and is backed by
large number of the most influential
and representative citizens Of the
state. In all probability there will be
a big fight ensue over the plans the
message commends.
II the cost of this structure Ia limited
to $3.50, 900, and an insurance received on
the burned building OF 100000, there
would be only about $780, 900 to be pro-
vided for.
The committee on agriculture of the
house is opposed to any change in the
oleomargarine law, and the bill to Ii
cense the manufacture Of this product
in Pennsylvania Is receiving strenuous
opposition.
The Civil Service Measure.
The bill known as the civil service
measure, entitled "an act to regulate
the civil service of the commonwealth
and Of the cities thereof, of counties
containing more than 10000 inhabi-
tants, and to provide penalties for its
violation which its friends claim was
drawn in the interests of purity in pol.
itics, was the cause Of a very spirited
debate in the senate a few days ago.
The opponents OF this bill contend that
II should be amended, as it confines
its provisions to Philadelphia and AL.
legheny and leaves out the other coun-
ties OF the state, with the possible ex-
ception OF Luzerne and Schuylkill.
motion TO amend it was defeated
by the Quay people, which resulted In
very sharp debate between Senators
Finn and Grady. The fight ragged 10,
some time, when action was suspended
that further consideration might be
taken on another bill. Despite the fact
that some of the members who are in
sympathy with the friends of this bill
onered various amendments, these wers
knocked out and the bill in its Original
form passed second reading. The bin
will without doubt pass the senate a,
1t was originally intended, but II Is
understood they are preparing to give
IL warm reception in the house when
1t reaches that body.
The investigation of the state treas
ury and auditor generals departments
is about closed. This committee will
ina ND ~