The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-05-12
DEATH OF THE
HAMILTON BILL
Friends Agree That Amendments Have
Killed the Road Measure.
A LIVELY DEBATE IN THE HOUSE
Advocates and Enemies ofthe Scheme
Air Their EIoquence Freely During
the Discussion--The Present Road
system Sham and a Farce.

Harrisburg, Pa, May 11.-In the
senate this morning Mr.. Grady report
ed from the finance committee the bill
providing for the taxation of direct in
hertance. When section II was
reached on second reading Mr. Grady
moved to strike IT out. This section
provides for the increased taxation on
the gross premiums of foreign insur-
ance companies. The motion was
agreed to and the bill passed second
reading as amended.
The senate Concurred in the resolu-
tion providing for an extension of time
IN the investigation of the condition Of
the miners in the coal regions until
June 1. Mr.. Thomas introduced a bill
TO encourage persons who have been
convicted of crime to reform and to
protect all persons who have reformed.
The Harris fish and game bill was
concurred in on final passage by the
senate.
The five bills recommended by the
Andrews senatorial investigating COM
mittee passed second reading.
The senate then adjourned until 10
O'Clock tomorrow morning
Speaker Boyer made a short state
ment to the house. He said that in
no case will he withdraw a decision to
allow the yeas and nays to be called.
He was criticised by certain newspa-
pers in the western part of the state
for having refused to withdraw a de-
cisiOn' after having once been made.
Mr.. Boyer said he desired to do what
was right whether criticised or not.
His statement was received with ap-
plause.
The bill authorizing cities of the
third class to make regulations for the
licensing of stationary steam engines
was defeated
HAMILTON ROAD BILL.
The Hamilton road bill was taken
mp at the opening of the afternoon ses-
sion for third reading and finai pas
Hage and a heated discussion followed,
Mr.. Moore, of Susquehanna, moved to
go into committee of the whole for spe-
Cial amendment. The motion carried
and he offered an amendment that the
act should not go into effect until 81,
100000 have been appropriated by the
state to be distributed in proportion
to the number of miles of public roads
in each township: that no township
shall receive more state money than
they raise by local taxation and that
the money 50 appropriated shall be eX-
pended in making and maintaining
public roads.
Mr.. Phillips, of Chester, who has the
bill in charge, said the amendment was
simply a scheme to kill the measure.
. Mr.. Focht, of Union, said he was in
favor of good roads, but he was not In
favor of this bill without the amend
ment. He detied the friends of the
measure to point out where it pro.
Vided for good roads, it simply provides
for a new management of roads. The
only way the bin will amount to any
thing is to designate the kind of roads
thai are to be. built. The measure
blocks the way of progress. Mr.. FOcht
said that if the people who are urging
the passage of the bill will exert the
same energy to get out of committee
the bill taxing bicycles and the Bliss
bills taxing beer there will be no trou
bic about getting a million dollars
from the state for better roads. Lee
the put in the amendment and the
bills taxing luxuries will come out o.
committee.
Mr.. Dixon, Of Fix declared tn,
amendment was offered for the sole
purpose of defeating the bill and char
acterzed the present road system il