The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-07-07
THE LEGISLATURE ENDED.
1t Aaiourasa Finally on Thursday.

The legislature completed its work at
two o'clock Thursday afternoon and adj
journed finally. The contentious of the
long sessions ended in the greatest ap-
parent harmony. The vexed question Of
revenue, which has been most talked
about of late by those who knew least
about it, was very satisfactorily settled
10y passing bills that will increase the
state revenue about two and a-half mill
lion dollars, thus allowing the appropria-
lions to the public schools and the nor
mai schools 10 remSin as heretofore, and
allowing All deserving charities to be
properly taken care of. Tho new meas
ures provide revenue as follows: Ad-
dition 10 the liquor license fees, $500. 900;
direct inheritance tax S750Oo0; brewers
state license fees, $4,000; increase on
mercantile licenses, $4,000: smaller
revenue measures, $4,000.
With all that has been said about the
iniqaities of this legislature by ywriters
paid for that purpose, now that the ses-
sion is concluded and the work summed
up. II II bbt NHANCiiNhS W oltAhtVn tiAaAt
this legislature viii take rank as the
cleanest and most economical in twenty
years. 4 legislature is not to be judged
by the bills introduced into it by individ-
ual members, but 10y the bills it finally
passes. Few, if any of the vicious meas
ures proposed got through. All the ex-
pense bills of committees that the public
has heard so much of were cut down
enormously before passed, it being esti-
mated that nearly sl50,00O were saved in
this way alone. Chairman Wilson's in
surance investigating committee had by
far the smallest bill-SSo3- it WAS
specifically itemized, no member being
allowed one cent for personal expenses.
The last bill passed by the house was
the measure giving county commission
ers of the different counties the right to
make bicycle roads, and use ten per cent
of the good roads tax money in so doing.
This bill particularly refers TO Allegheny
county.
The general appropriation bill was
agreed TO by fixing the appropriation to
The public schools at sli 100000 and in
serting an item appropriating 500, 900 TO
the State Normal schools. Mr.. Coray, of
Luzerne, and Mr.. Crothers, of Philadel-
phia, attacked the item in the bill appro-
priating $4,000 to pay the expenses of fit
ting up Grace church for the use of the
members. Chairman Marshall said Gov
ernOr HastiEg would assume the respon-
sibility of the Grace church item.
The report OF the conference committee
providing for the payment of sl0, 800 as
the expenses of the visit by the legisla-
ture 10 New York 10 attend the Grant
monument dedication and TO Philadel-
phia 10 attend the dedication of the
Washington monument was rejected by
a vote of "a TO 81.
In addition to the license fees fixed on
brewers, distiliers, bottlers and whole
sale dealers in liquors by the now reve-
nue. bill the following additional fees are
fixed on retail dealers, viz: In townships
50, making the total fee SloO; in boroughs
So. making the total fee 500; in cities of
first and second class sl00 making the
total 81, 100; in all other cities $50, making
the total $50. The increased license fees
above noted are to be exclusive for the
use of the Commonwealth.