The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1897-04-28
:, HARRISBURG LETTER.

DAY was pracucally consumed IN thelf !
consideration. Both passed the House |
10y lots of votes to spare, but neither Is |
what it should be. In the game hill the |
season for all game opens October 18th, !
Just 10 days later than Il should The |
woodcock season opens July lst and |
closes July Slst, and then opens again |
with tho other game, oct. Is. The writer |
tried to have the bill amended so as to
let all game in on Oct. lst, the ideal sea-
son for our section, but the all powerful
Pennsylvania "game commission" had
the matter too well set up, and no amend
ments were allowed
The fish bill was "set up" in the same
direction. AS a whole il is not bad BILL
but there are some features in II which |
will not suit our people; for instance, the
six inch trout. That is a very pretty and
romantic size and it would be awfully
nice if one never did get anything short
of that on his hook; but alas how many
criminals such a provision will make i'm
the course of a three montes' season, and
those too who are amongst our most de-
vout gentlemen sportsmen. For the
good ofhis scalp the writer voted against
both these bills, and should either be-
come law in its present shape I feel
that my judgment will be sustained by
my sporting friends.
The "good roads" bill was up on Thurs
day and consumed the entire afternoon
session in its consideration on second
reading which stage it passed after a
number of amendments had been adopt
ed. 1t is practically the Hamilton BILL"
but is so changed as to make it less OBJ
jectionable as a new departure in road
making. AS I said in a previous commu-
nication, the bill differs very little from
the law under which f lrest county is
now working, and siuce our county has
perhaps the best dirt roads of any in the
State, it may be that it will result in the
betterment of the roads throughout the
commonwealth, though there is not a
single provision in the bill prescribing
any special method for making roads.
A bill, presumably in the interest of
forest preservation, passed the House on
Wednesday, but if it should become law
in its present form might work sad havoc
with the large numbering interest, of our
section. 1t creates a number of new Of
tices, without pay Except necessary ex-
penses," of course, and gives to the For.
estry Commission the right of "eminent
domain" That is, it allows the taking
of bodies of land to the extent of 10000
acres for the purpose OF forest reserva-
tiou." Now this would be all right and
proper if the commission should elect to
take such property as has been deprived
OF its timber growth, but in case it should
be deemed expedient TO gobble up a lot
of land covered with timber, then what {?
In the opinion of the writer this is what
the bill allows, and he very promptly
voted 'no,,' when the bill was Up for
final passage. True, the bill provides
that the land so taken shat be paid for
as three disinterested viewers shall as
sess the damage, but is it likely that
the owners of timber land would be sat
isfied with the price which these view
ers Right place upon their property I?
We fear not but they might have no re-
course. Unless this bill is effectually
amended in the Senate, or killed out
right, it may create trouble up our way.
Much as believe in forest preservation,
1 voted against this bill on general prin-
ciples and because it looked like very
serious piece of legislation.
Much is said about reform legislation
and many grave doubts expressed as TO
the passage of the bills for that purpose.
But there need be no fear on that score.
as all that have any merit in them will
pass without any serious trouble. As
will also the bill providing for interest
on State deposits about which one hears
so much in the opposition press now-a-
days.
The committee on Ways and Means is
laboring industriously on bills designed
to raise additional revenue for the States
support and is about ready to report a
number of bills having that end in view.
They will be given a special calendar
and put through promptly when the
committee has reported.
The writer has introduced a Cengres-
sional apportiOnment bill, which has
been referred to a sub. committee of which
he is member. 1t is very doubtful il
any apportionment bill can pass this
session, but it is generally conceded on
all hands if any of them stands ghost Of
show the Congressional bill is the one
There has been much said about the ne,
cessity of apportionment, but there is
supposition that those who have beer
loudest in their professions are not sin
cere. Should this bill be able TO run tn,
gauntlet of the committee and get out OF
the floor of tie House it will test the sin
cerity of many who have done mucl
talking. 1t is exactly ten years ago thi
session that the present Congressiona
apportionment law was passed, and thel
il was passed by bare constitutions
majority Of lOl votes. Why should ther
not be new apportionment of the Con
gressional districts this session?
Here is a squib from the Telegraph c
this city which is so apropOs of the sit
uation that l give it entire;
philadelphia and Pittsburg so engros
the attention of our lawmakers with thei
various schemes of municipal reforr
that the large territory between these tel
minal points in the State has very htll
show in the way of legislation. 1t woul
seem t5 be tair for one session in a grei
while 10 bo ct apart for the considers
tion of matters of interest 10 the com