The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-03-04

to those who are designated legitimats
guests of the house.
The chairman Of the committee on
appropriations has given out that the
appropriations asked for the ensuing
two years by state and other tnstitu-
tions for support. new buildings and
other causes amounts at the present
time In round numbers to s2S,bn,Izo
while at tho same time the estimated
revenues from all sources for the en-
suing two years was only trihe over
SIS. .OO0. 900 This estimate does not In
ciude an appropriation for tha rebuild
ing " the new capitol. The demands
for appropriations are not all In yet
and II Is altogether probable that $780,
o00. 00u would be required to satisfy all
the demands.
rh. stat. ~~v.ssvy Rss.-sattoa.
A bill introduced Cor tho state for
sstry rsssrvatioa provides for COM
mission TO be composed OF the forestry
coin pmissionrr, chairman OF the state
board OF health. deputy ana secretary
of internal affairs and two other per-
sons to be appointed by the governor.
with full power to take by right OF en-
tnsnt domain and condemn lands.
which shall he paid for by warrants
drawn upon the state treasurer For
est reservations ara to be established
or not less than 10000 acres. upon wat
ers which drain mainly into tho Della
ware. Susquehanna and ONO rivers,
and each az tar as practicable to be
one continuous area. The land select
cd Is to have an average altitude Of 900
feet above the level OF the sea.
1t is proposed to maintain free schol-
arships In the Pennsylvania state COL
lego for graduates from public schools.
and the bill introduced provides for
two free scholarships for each senator
and two Tor each member, and ten for
the state at large, to be appointed by
the governor.
A bill presented in the house few
days ago provides for state railroad
commission Of three experts to be ap-
pointed by the governor to hold office
for i've years They are given full pow
or and supervision of the railroads. and
have the power to investigate acci-
dents. The salary of each 10 to be $4.-
600. and chief clerk is to receive s., 900,
This measure is not likely to receive
much consideration. as there are now
too many sineoure positions in the
state. This is the opinion of a number
Of the members. and it is now time to
call a halt on such legislation.
TITO r-epss.d Qnay Uc.nty.
This week several new county bills
will be- introduced. These will provide
for Quay county. Of 4 part OF Luzerne
and Schuylkill. and form a new county
from parts OF Washington, Fayette and
These bills provide that
the territory divided must have An ag.
sregate population Of 7s0. 900. The pro
than 10000 people. 400 square miles Of
territory. and no line must be within
ten miles of any court house.
This bill Is likely to provoke a lively
contest. as there are other districts in
terested in the formation of new coun-
ties. and this measure will shut out
any possibility Of their accomplishing
their purposes. Owing to this opposi-
ton It is doubtful whether any lesis-
lation of thisgkind can be accomp plished
during this session.
The impression Is general that the
short sessions and frequent adjourn
monts Of the present legislature have
= significance. and among the reasons
assigned for this the chief one is that
an excuse can be given for not reap
the state into congressional.
senatorial and representative districts.
1t Is thought that a very grave error
Will be made II this Is not done.
The state. 1t Is claimed, has now
nearly 2,ooo0co more population than Il
had at the time the last apportionment
was made. ana II ever there was a
necessity of the kind 1t is at the pres
ent time.
There seems to be no excuse for not
giving this matter special consider
alton. and the failure of the powers
that be to legislats In this direction
Will bring them into disrepute with tho
majority Of tho people. and weaken
their influence in controlling the af-
tairs OF the state in the future.
ssfor. In Prison Mauassmsnt,
The bill now pending before the Leg
lslature which may be known and cited
ms the prison act of 1897. and which
provides for the taking under state
control and support of the entire prison
system OF the commonwealth and ALI
It's counties. 10 still in the hands of thu
to which 1t has been refer
req. and Is said to be receiving a con.
that augurs we'll for its pas
sage. The measure was drawn on lines
largely suggested by General Isaac ]
OF the board of prison in.peo-
Tors. IL proposes to consolidate the ST
county jails Of the state into smaller
number of larger and better tails. 70
Abolish factory labor by conviots. sub.
stituting manual labor as far as pos-
'ipie; to provide separate accommoda-
lions FOR untried prisoners. nrst Offend
srs and reforInabls convicts. and to es-
[ablish separate wards for insane con-
Victs and for female conviots.
In discussing the measure General
Wtstar said: 1T is expected that this
Diil II It becomes a law. viii give nrst
and permanent satisfaction TO honas,
outside labor. 1t will do away with fac
'ory and machine work and take prison
apor out OF competition. One feature
'i iapor In this connection will consti-
Iute great saving In the line of CON
struction OF buildings. There need he
out small first cost in conneotion
With tho proposed new 1ails. Tho nee.
'ssary sites can be secured at low rates
4 proper precaution Is observed Tba
OF restraining walls ought
nOt 10 cost beyond $40 OOO a., ...l =