The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-07-02

Other--Business of the Closing
Hours.
Harrisburg, July lit was bordering
on 2 o'clock this afternoon when the
legislative session of 1897 came to an
end. In many respects it has been the
most remarkable ever held in the his
tory of the commonwealth. 1t was the
second longest continuous session in
Pennsylvania history and had added
interest from the destruction of the
capitol by fire in February and the
consequent meetings in Grace church.
After the legislative business had
been concluded the usual presentation
ceremonies took place. Speaker Boyer
was presented with a beautiful cut
glass service, including a magnificent
punch bowl. The clerks and other at
trches were given purses. Many of the
members started home this afternoon
and by tomorrow there will scarcely be
a corporal's guard at the state capi-
tol.
The house held an all night session,
beginning at o'clock and continuing
until $50 this morning with an hours
intermssion at midnight for luncheon.
After the morning session a corps of
women was put to work cleaning up
the hall for the final session. The floor
was strewn with papers six inches
thick and had more the appearance of
junk shop than an assembly hall.
The behavior of the members was fair,
considering it was the last night of the
session, and they have been working
eighteen hours a day since Monday.
After midnight they amused them
selves throwing bill files, paper balls
and other missiles at each other and
decorating with paper those who tried
to snatch a few minutes sleep between
roll calls. Speaker Boyer vacated the
chair at midnight and Mr.. McClain, of
Lancaster, presided with the exception
of a short time before recess when Mr..
Keyser, of Philadelphia, took the gavel
to help the friends of the Gibson pool
bill.
PET MEASURES PASSED.
The conference committee agreed up
on bill at o'clock last evening, but
for some reason, Chairman Bolles, of
the ways ana means committee did
not present it until O'Clock this morn
ing. Chairman Marshall refused to
bring up the general appropriation bill
until the revenue question was dis
posed of finally. This gave several
members an opportunity to put through
their pet measures on the calendar Of
postponed senate bills for third read
ing. Most of the time was spent in
considering senate amendments to ap-
preparation bills and acting upon the
reports from conference committees.
The desk and chair used by Speaker
Boyer during the session was voted to
him, as was also the desks and chairs
of Chief Clerk Rex, Resident Clerk Fet-
etrolf and Speakers Clerk Hahn. The
bill appropriating $1,000 to pay the ex-
penses of the investigation of the Eas-
tern and Western penitentiaries was
defeated, reconsidered and passed fl
finally. The various other expense bills
which were defeated were reconsidered
and put through in every case by a
narrow margin.
The pool bill was defeated by a vote
of II to 81. Senate bill amending the
Finn road law, relating to Allegheny
county to build a bicycle path was de-
feated. Mr.. Piolett, of Bradford, OPP
posed it because he believed it would
increase the cash road tax in other
counties. A number of senate bill OF
minor Importance We're passed finally
After the recess Speaker Boyer left
the chair to speak in favor of the re.
port of the conference committee on the
revenue bill. He argued this was the
best revenue bill that could be evolved
and unless it was passed sufficient rev.
enue could not be raised to take care
of the private charities.
NO CUT IN APPROPRIATION.
Mr. Boyer promised the house there
would be no cut in the public appro-
priation-it would remain $11. 200, 600
and the normal schools will be provid-
ed for as usual.
The report was called up Immediate
ly after reconvening by Chairman
Bolles, of the ways and means COM
mittee. Mr.. Crothers, of Philadelphia
was instantly on his feet to oppose
the measure. He declared the evident
purpose was to run this measure
through the house regardless of how il
is done. The conference committee
agreed upon a report at $50 last eve-
ming but the report was not laid be-
fore the house until $50 this morn
ing, He charged that the bill had
been purposely delayed so that it could
not be considered until near the hour
of adjournment to force members tC
vote for it, The measure is in the
interest of the, brewers trust anc
against the little brewers. Mr.. Crother:
referred to the rumor that there is a
deal between the trust and certain
politicians and said if this was true
the state cannot expect to derive rev,
enue from the source from which the
state political machine got it's sup.
port.
Mr.. Piolett, of Bradford, and Mr.
Bliss, of Delaware, spoke in favor o.
the adoption of the report The re-
port was adopted by 119 to 50. The an
nouncement of the result was received
with great applause.
The conference reports on the banl
tax bill and the bill relating to Of
fetal advertising in cities of the sec
ond class were adopted. The report o
the conference committee on the bill
providing for the payment of the ex
penses of the visit by the legislator
to New York to attend the Grant mon
ument dedicati0N. and to Philadelphi
TO attend the dedication of the Wash
ington monument was rejected by
vote of Ga to "a after an earnest ap
peal by Mr.. McClain, of Lancaster, t
vote down the report. The bill as
passed the house carried with 1t a
appropriation Of 5000. This was in
creased to $10,3OO by the conferenc
committee !
Mr.. Marshall reported from the al
THERE Ic A hco M DEnDI