The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-05-13

urged upon the members of the legis
lature, but the feeling of bitterness bt
tween the factions in the Republica
party has grown SO intense as to Undue
y the Quay faction to insist upon tn
passage of this bill, in order to punis
t Senators Magee and Finn and thei
n anti-Quay adherents in Pittsburg. O
Thursday Senator Quay directed hi
forces over the long distance telephon
from Washington, and his lieutenant
marshaled the forces SO we'll that tn
bill had a substantial majority on sec
ond reading. 1t is said that no furthe
effort will be made to pass the bill, bu
friends of Senators Magee and Film
, are of the opinion that the other sid
, will push the measure to final passage
One OF the features of the fight on thi
bill was the alliance of the Democrati,
minority with the Quay people.
Counties Must Pay For Extraditfon.
One of the bills which is being push
ed through the legislature with all tn,
celerity possible requires counties tc
pay the costs and expenses of appre.
hendlng and returning a fugitive from
Justice charged with or convicted OF
felony. 1t has already passed the
senate, and last evening was read
the second time in the house. Today
1t goes to final passage on a special
order. The purpose of this bill Is to
extradite Charles Still, who was con-
victed at York three years ago of ad-
ministrating knockout drops to a resi-
dent Of that city. Still fled the country
after his conviction, and was appre-
hended recently at Glasgow. He is
now In Jail at London, awaiting ex-
tradition. The commissioners Of York
county have refused to pay the ex-
penses of bringing Still back, which
| explains the rush on this bill. Still
was formerly police officer at York,
and was involved in several brutal en-
counters.
Friends of the proposition to change
the basis of distributing the school
FUNDS among the several counties are
awaiting with much anxiety the dis
position of the bill dividing the ap-
preparation on the basis of one third
on the number of schools. one third
on the children in the schools and the
balance on the taxables. Philadelphia
Is particularly opposed to any change.
because the suggestion in this bill
would reduce the amount Of money
received by Philadelphia to the extent
seriously affected, but the members of
the Legislature from that city gener-
ously admit that the country districts
DO not get their share.
An interesting question was submit-
TED TO Attorney General Mccormick by
the secretary Of agriculture in connec-
tion with the investigation of bribery
charges against an agent OF the dairy
and food commissioner at Pittsburp
The head of the department of agri-
culture wanted to know whether his
department would be justified in nav. |
Ing the attorneys fees and costs in tho
case of the accused agent Of the state.
or whether such fees and expenses
should be paid by the agent himself. |
The attorney general says the ques-
ton is one of great importance and
deserving of the most careful con-
sideration. He concludes that the COM
monwealth should incur no obligations
and pay no expense either in the way
of counsel fees or costs in such an in
Vestigation. He suggests that to do so
would be to establish a bad precedent
suit to Restrain State ON cials,
An unusual proceeding was COM
nnced in the Dauphin county courts
|
ngs and Secretary of the Common
Neaith Reeder from issuing a charter
o the FRANKLIN Gas company or any
''her corporation for the purpose of |
IMPLYING gaslight to the city of Pitts {
'urg. This is the first proceeding ~
he kind in the history Of the common
wealth. The case will be watched with
nuch interest by the bar of the state {
IS well as by the parties concerned
or the reason that the right to restrai,
he governor from issuing a corporate
is a novel legal proposition
Pennsylvania. {
The committee appointed by the
hairman of the Republican state com
nittee to revise the various reform
Ills indorsed by the party organiza- 7
ION, so as to make them conform to v
ne views of the majority, has had q O
ouple of meetings, but it's work is not
ct completed. The civil service hill
GEMS to be giving the committee the
lost trouble. This measure is not pop- n
lar with the working politicians. and 4
considerable diplomacy must be used
make 1t all acceptable. The present
III provides for an annual expenditure a
$25,Oo0 in salaries, which the com |;
lttee regards as a bad feature. They G
lihk this commission should be self -
istaining, like the state pharmaceuti- -
II board, the revenues to be derived o
,om the applicants for examination u
ne present bill makes applicants for
i positions stand about the same ex- =.
which is regarded as un-
.lr' and will be changed. AS the bill 81
III likely be made to apply to all cities X
the policemen and firemen in the II
ate may be put under it's provisions l.
II the other bills will be reported prac- :"
cally in their original form. c.
some important changes have been pl
ade In the EuSin bill imposing a tax nj
oirect inheritances. These changes
i've been made by the senate commit
on hnance, and are sure to create al
ouple. Two additional sections have S.
zen added, one providing that every
surance company Incorporated under
laws OF Pennsylvania, except pure- VI
mutual concerns, without capitsl sc
nck and purely mutual beneficial ne. X
clations, shall pay tax of eight W.
MS on the dollar upon the gross pre- ~,
ums and assessments received from -,
sihess transacted in this state. The OF
x on foreign insurance comnanies
increased from to 4 per cent upon de
business done In this state. The
iendment that is sure to start a huzz wv