The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1897-06-23
HARRISBURG LETTER.

If there is one thing more than an
other that will hasten sine die adjourn
ment it is the kind of weather we have
been having here for the past few days.
Had "Old Sol' gotten in his work a
month ago as he has recently, 1 appre-
hend some fellow would have stumbled
onto some species of revenue legislation
that would have brought about the de-
sired result and we could have shaken
the dust of Harrisburg from our shoes a
fortnight ago. But as it is, the Senate
refuses to pass the bills sent to it by the
House, almost any of which would bring
"revenue to burn" and the boys as a
consequence are getting very tired, es-
pecially those who have done their share
toward speedier adjustment of the diff |
ficulties, and feel that they are not to |
blame for delays.
As whole the present legislature, |
though the most abused, perhaps, of any
in the history of the State, has really so
far been the best that has assembled in
many years. This has reference to the
character of the legislation which has
been passed and defeated. Thus far but
one really vicious piece of legislation has
passed the House, and that was pulled
through by very narrow margin on
Thursday last, and is known as the
Simon electric light bill. Should those
members who voted for the bill be for
ever retired from politics by their out
ragged constituents they would simply be
receiving their just deserts.
The story about cutting down the COM
mon school appropriation has again been
revived and it is exasperating to learn
that some people high in official life and
prominent in the party's councils are ad-
vocating this move as means by which
to save the charitable institutions from
losing their usual allowance. To head
off this move petition was circulated in
the House by Messrs. Young and Smith
of Tioga, and signed by more than one
hundred members, pledging themselves
to vote against any cut whatever in the
appropriation to the schools, and unless
the most desperate means are resorted tc
the schools will get their usual allowance
Many members have expressed them
selves as willing to remain in session til
snow again flies before they will consen
to anything else.
Chairman Marshall of the appropria
TONS committee says all of the appropri
alton bills will be reported out this week
and as they will have the right of wa.
over all others it is expected that befor
the week is ended all those emanating il
the House will be sent to the Senate, a
it is the intention to work night and day
Saturdays included, during the balanc
of the session. By so doing it is believe
final adjournment can be reached on Jul
Ist.
The bill to tax aliens has received th
signature of the Governor and is now
law. Beginning on the first day of Jul
of this year any man who employs a fo
eigner to work for him must deduct froi
that foreigners wages three cents p'
day and pay it over to the county trea
urer. This money is divided betwee
the county and the school district equall
II is estimated that this scheme will pl
amillion dollars into the county treasu
- throughout the State, but that is
's-S problem that has not yet been work.
out In many of the couLties of {
State the revenues from this class will
large at any rate The argument in
vor of this law is that, while large 70
eign element is always present with l
and as a consequence displacing many
our own laborers, they pay no taxes, al
vet have the protection afforded by o
laws. The law, it is believed, will grt
in popularity as it is put in operation.
The direct inheritance tax bill,
amended TO cover the constitutional {
jections of Judge Hanna, is on thi
reading in the House lying dormant,
it were, and in all probability tbs
where it will remain. 1t is pretty gen
ally thought by the members that tn
are other subjects of taxation better
to stand slight increase, such as corpo
tons, for instance, and that wido
widowers and orphans should be exer
until such time as thereis no other /
sible means of raising revenue in sil
That time, in the opinion of enough le
headed legislators to kill the bill, has
arrived. Hence, l say, the bill will Ii
ly be allowed to sleep the sleep
knows no waking"
Another very large class of 'the bo
have determined TO vote for no new
enue measures until the Senate has p
ed the bills taxing beer cent per gal
The Senators have been engaged in
ignomnous task of trying to dodge
question for several weeks, but it be
TO look as though they would hav
swallow the dose at last, or go hom
their people with the blame fastene
them of having blocked legislation
would solve the revenue problem
York minute.
The Senate investigation Of the il
ance scandal has thus far appeared
considerable of farce, and the att
TO fasten any unelean thing on the S
of Senator Shortt of Warren seen
have been abortive Of any results '
ever. No one who has the persona
quaintance of Mr.. Short here ever
any stock in the alleged charges ag
his honesty, and all developments il
instance have failed 10 shake their
denee in him.
The oleo investigation came to a
den ending by the Houses recent n
10 extend the time of said invesIil