The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-03-25

in the house. 1t was cOntendeu Dy the
very few friends of the measure that
as the state had department OF agr'-
culture q state board was unnecessary.
Among the bills which passed finally
in the senate recently were: Prevent
ing employers of labor from discrmt-
mating against any employees because
they are members of any labor unions;
preventing fraud in the sale of trans
oceanic passage receipts, orders or
tickets, and for other purposes; pro-
viding for the payment of mileage TO
poor directors: authorizing the cities
of the commonwealth to purchase, ac-
quire, take, use and appropriate pri-
vate properties for public park pur-
poses: extending for a further period
of five years the time during which
corporations Incorporated and exist
ing under the laws of any other state
are authorized to hold real estate here
tofore purchased at sheriffs or
other judicial sales; to provide for the
payment of costs of prosecutions In
misdemeanors and surety of the peace
cases by the person or persons on
whom such costs may be imposed. and
to provide for the punishment of such
persons and the payment of such costs
in default; to equalize the levy and COLI
lection of assessments for local inn
provements in boroughs and cities OF
the state, except in first class cities;
creating the office of county solicitor
in counties having a population OF
$50, 900; to provide that one burial per-
nit shall be sufficient for interment in
any cemetery or burial ground located
within the county in which said per-
NIT is issued; increasing the number
of common pleas courts in Philadel-
phia by the addition of another court,
to be called common pleas court No. S.
DR.. Swallow willing to Meet Charges.
The senate determined to cause the
arrest of Dr. Swallow and bring him
before the bar of the senate for alleged
contempt in refusing to give informa-
tion respecting the capitol fire, and had
arranged for special meeting for his
hearing, but the sergeantat-arms, in
whose hands Lieutenant Governor Ly-
ons placed the warrant for his arrest,
reported that he had failed to find
his man. DR.. Swallow called on
the lieutenant governor, however, the
same evening and said that he was
not seeking to avoid arrest, and would
be on hand whenever it was found
desirable. They have deferred his hear
ing, however, until the 22d of the
month, but inasmuch as the trial of
DR.. Swallow is now going on, it is
doubtful II they will require him to
leave the court until his trial is over.
The bill to create a state board Of
horseshoe examiners, which was de-
feated few days ago, was brought up
again for reconsideration and was con-
sidered. A very lively debate followed.
A number of speeches were made in
opposition, and it was claimed 1t would
increase the price of horeshoeing, and
that now was no time to increase the
expenses of farmers. The bill was in
definitely postponed. 1t is very doubt
full If this bill is again resurrected dur
ing this session.
A large delegation of the fish and
game committee of the senate and
house, and Of the state fish commits
sion, made an official inspection of the
Allentown Matching station a few days
ago. The purpose of this inspection
was in order that the members of the
legislature might have a more intel
ligent idea of the trout work of the
commissioners, and to ascertain the
need for extending the capacity OF the
Matching houses. and of the expedi-
ency of purchasing the property, or in
lieu of that, another. The visiting
members expressed themselves as very
greatly pleased at the character of the
work being done, and unanimously de-
cided that Is was absolutely necessary
that the state should either purchase
the property now held under lease Or,
failing to agree with the owners on
a reasonable price, to locate elsewhere,
and erect large Matching houses. The
dilapidated character of the Matching
houses made prompt action necessary.
Proposal to Tax Bicycles.
Among the bills to be introduced
within the past few days was one to
put tax on each bicycle in the state,
Of course excepting those in the hands
of dealers or manufacturers, of one
dollar per annum, to be paid into the
state treasury for the improvement of
roads in the state. 1t is believed by
the friends of this bill that a very
considerable revenue can be derived
from this law, which will greatly as
sist in the inauguration of great i'm
provements to the public roads of the
state. Senate bill No. 2, which pro-
vides for an improvement of the public
roads of the safe, has been reported
from committee. and will no doubt pass
the senate soon.
In order to relieve the country dis
tricts from double registration a bill
has been introduced to amend the
constitution so as to enable the legis-
lature to pass the civil registration
for city and country districts.
The bill providing for the printing,
making and compiling of a war text
book history, under the supervision of
the Grand Army of the Republic, and
to be used in the public schools of this
commonwealth, and making an appro-
priation therefor of $1,000, is to be
framed by war text commission" ,"
to be composed of ten of the leading
Grand Army men of the state.
The bill to reduce the salaries of
mining inspectors of the anthracite
coal regions from $1,000 per annum To
to $4,000 was the occasion of a very
lively debate, but the house agreed to
the bill on second reading. This will
put the mine inspectors in the bitumi-
nous regions on an equality with those