The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-04-15

into his hands. 1t is his intention 10
have a beginning made toward the
erection of new state capitol very
soon. An effort will no doubt be made
in the house to increase the NUMBER
of members of the commission by adu-
ing two from the house, but 1t Is very
doubtful whether the temper OF this
body will suffer this to be done. The
house recognizes no man as master,
and a spirit Of great independence is
a very marked characteristics. one OK
the elements that give strength to this
influence comes from the Democratic
members, who stand in solid phalanx
| and throw their weight to one side or
| the other as they are satisfied as to the
value of the measures to be enacted.
| The other factions find 1t necessary to
| secure their influence, and they have TO
have some regard tbr the minority.
| 1t is doubtful whether the house OF
representatives of this commonwealth
| was ever in better trim to secure for
| the people wise and 1udicious legis-
| lation than the present one. This Is
| becoming more noticeable each week.
| 1t would be well IL the senate were
similarly balanced. Too much smooth
ness characterizes this body, and they
are accredited with passing about
| every measure that comes before them.
Another bill to pass the senate
within the past few days was the Ham,
| ilton road, bill, or senate bill No. 9, by
| q vote of Al to 6. This bill is growing
in popularity, and will pass the house
with good sized majority. There
seems to be a strong sentiment devel-
| oping in it's favor in many of the coun-
try districts.
| Electric railway legislation Is now re-
| ceiving some attention. Two measures
| in the interests OF such enterprises were
| favorably reported out of the commit
| tee on passenger railways. The one
authorizes electric and other railroads
not operated by steam to carry freight,
while the other practically gives the
electric railways the right ef eminent
domain. The object of these measures
| is to avoid the influences of the su-
preme court decision. which has been
an obstacle to the extension of electric
roads into the country around Phila-
delphia.
The reform legislation that was
promised in the beginning does not
seem TO be in very healthy condition,
as the bills already introduced in ref
erence to this are not regarded with
special favor. Some of the members
who were thought to be friends Of
these measures do not take kindly to
them. Unless there is decided change
in the sentiment of the house there are
none of the reform measures likely to
become laws.
Opposing an Excise Bill.
Although a meeting was held in the
chamber of the house of representa-
tives in the interests of the excise COM
mission bill, and a number of able at
torneys spoke in behalf of this meas
ure, their efforts seem to avail but lit
tie. The provisions of this bill
authorizes the establishment of a COM
mission composed of attorneys, or per-
sons learned in the law whose duties
would be to pass upon all bills as to
their legal form and constitutionality
before they are introduced in either
house. 1t is feared that were this bill
to become law there might a spirit
of favoritism develop, and in that event
only certain measures be permitted to
go before either house. It Is also OBJ
jected to on the ground that it tends
to increase the number of the officials
Of the state, and thus add to the ex-
penses.
Although several apportionment bills
have been introduced, it is extremely
doubtful whether there is any legisla-
tion effected in this respect during this
session at least. The difficulty is to
frame bills that would satisfy the ma
jority, as in order to make fair appor-
tionment some counties would neces-
sarily have a reduced representation
and this would incur great opposition
from such districts.
The senate fire investigating COM
mittee is still wrangling with DR.
Swallow, who seems now to be in de-
fiant mood. and rather disposed tc
choose his own time to furnish the evi.
dence he Is alleged to have in refer.
ence to the burning of the capitol. Ir
an open letter to Governor Hastings
State Treasurer Haywood and Auditor
General Mylin, members Of the public
buildings and grounds commission re-
garding their referring his request fol
permission for himself and others t.
examine the ruins Of the old capito
building to the attorney general for hi
decision, he charges childish tactics
and criticizes them very strongly Blu
the time has come when the docto
must obey the tribunal before whicl
he is cited to appear, as they have
right to know Of any knowledge or tes
timony he OF his friends have to ofre,
and he will not gain anything by with
holding his information longer.
Little Evidence Against Agent Moore
The legislative committee investigat
ing the charges against Pure Foo
, , Agent F. N. Moore have succeeded 4
} getting but little evidence in relatio
to the charges made against him thu
far.
The following statistics, as take
! from the books of the transcribin
! clerks, show the progress of legislatio
in both the senate and house: Hous
. bills read in place. 923; house bills re
, ported from committee, 46l; senate bill
read in place in the senate, 40S; senat
, bills reported from house committe,
: 61; senate bills reported from house, 81
house bills passed and in the senat
10; house bills in the governors hand
, 12; approved, 81 recalled, 2; senate bill
} passed in the house, 3.
These bills passed the house fnall