The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1897-05-27
WEEK IN HARRISBURG.
The Lexow Committee and Its De-
mand For Over $65,0O0.
SOME ITEMS IN THE BIG BILL.

what 1t Means to the Taxpayers OF
the State-The Notorious Saunders.
Roberts Election Case-An Unholy
Alliance Between Republicans and
Democrats.
(From Our Own Correspondent
Harrisburg, May 25.-The people are
destined to hear a great deal from this
on about the Lexow committee and its
demands. The sum of s65. 900 is a pretty
penny for the people of the state to
nay for a faction fight In Philadelphia.
This is what it has cost the taxpayers
for Senator Matthew Stanley Quay's
club, which for the past two years has
been swinging over the head Of David
Martin and other anti-Quay leaders
in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Lexow committee was
presented to the house. 1t took the
shape Of an appropriation bill for $685.
sOS96, which was divided into lump
sums as follows:
For expenses incurred in pro-
curing witnesses to appear
before the committee. includ-
Ing witness fees. $780, 06
For expenses for stenograph-
icaly reporting testimony
and additional copies, and
typewriting and printing
bill ............................ 9.S12 25
For expenses incurred for ex-
pert witnesses..... 4951 16
For expenses at Hotel Walton 5,9l2 ~
For clerk hire and detective
services neutrality-suspicious.. 6,l62 w
For counsel fees Of attorneys
to arrange testimony and
conduct examinations. ....... 1900 90
An Interesting Review.
A review of the items in this bill
makes interesting reading for the farm
ers and wage earners of the state, who
will be compelled to pay the bill. In
the first place the sessions Of the COM
mttee were held at the Hotel Walton,
one Of the largest, most palatial and
highest priced hotels in the United
States. Its rates vary from S. to $40
day. Nothing was too good for the
committee, and they put uo at the
best hotel in the state. All sorts of
stories are told about the splendid
meals furnished the committee, and so
II Is not to be wondered that the ex-
penses for living at this hotel are
ngured out to be $5,912.4O. At this rate
one man paying SIS a day for board at
'hls hotel could live for three years
and half on what II cost the Lexow
committee to live there at Intervals
auring the past Is months. A suite OF
rooms, 1t is understood, was engaged
lor the use of the committee, and the
pest that the house afforded was al
ways at their command.
Inc first item in the bill of expenses
Is striking one. For expenses in
CURED In procuring witnesses paying
mileage and witness fees, $2S,O7l. .06 is
charged to the state. 1t must not be
ofgotten that this was Philadelphia
'n'estlSation. Only Philadelphians,
WIN one or two exceptions. were sum-
iHohed before the committee. The mile
age under such circumstances should
Oe comparatively nothing, and the ex-
pehses IN procuring witnesses also very
''hall' And yet over $2S,0OO Is charged
up 10 this account.
IL this were all it would be enough.
"u' there were other witnesses. The
"'a item In the bill charges expenses
O' expert witnesses S4951.16. Add this
~ me above charged for witnesses of |
o'Vlo6 and the enormous sum of
so'V'z'22 is the amount which It cost
people of the state for witnesses
anu around the city of Philadelphia
One' with this sum Of money ten
c'ass farms could be purchased
enhsyiVania. 1t would educate 30
"s men and women, with a four
course in any first class academy
Guarding school In the state and
"e taxpayers are expected to come
a"',nhsly and pay this sum without
word OF protest.
n es'ooO For tho Lawyers,
ha, mere are other items in this bill
sss use equally as startling. Counsel
ma VI lawyers to arrange Testimony
l, ooo oohuuct examination amounts to
era '' ana yet there were three law
hev ,S Un the committee. What were
bsr, mere Tor? According to the state
lbs, ~ this bill these lawyers hired
pnS,". lawyers to examine witnesses and
nm examinations. while they sat
la,,.. .Olaed hands and looked on. A
,o iO,o ot $4,000 Is n small fortune to
m y M, .ne pockets of couple of law
br,ea me me stenographer alone who re-
sls ., '"e proceedings is to be given
kpns~,,. mat is about as much as a
|ery er'sahia .o" farmer, with good crop,
Ana ,,,Sasoh' ,Sa could save in 20 years.
mona result Of all this expenditure
tely no,,, Is Matchmaking. Abso-
d tho "S.hlng' ,eg' except that il int ,nsi-
h is ,actional fight in Philadelphia
ht tho Ttrn,spered tnsped here in Harrisburg
sen,,n m OH win not 90 through; that
meht none, against voting this sum
evcrv ,s very strong, and is grow
asursa ,y day. Yet extraordinarv
pueh n, VIII be taken to rush n
Az. e mouse. It IL even ranortaa