Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1897-03-19

enforced, and that IL requires some
such power as provided in this COM
mission to give force and vitality to
existing statutes.
To License Social Clubs.
AS a means of providing funds foi
the payment of the expenses OF the
office of excise commissioner a bill has
been introduced in the senate which
reduces every club of large or small
distinction to the grade Of common
tavern. and in many respects this
measure win make it more difficult to
be q respectable club man than it does
a saloon keeper
This bill provides that each club in
order to sell liquor must be licensed
at cost OF SIS in townships. 500 in
boroughs and $3.50 in cities of first and
second class: and in the application
for a club license the name of the club
must be given location and number OF
rooms, name of secretary and treas
urer; Americans or naturalized for
eigners; name of owner of the prem
ises; whether the club is for the ex.
elusive benefit of members; a list of
names of all bonafide members and
their residences: whether or not the
secretary or treasurer ever had a Ii
cense revoked; the presentation Of two
bondsmen as security, with property
worth over s., 600; the signatures of
12, with the statement that they are
personally aware that the facts set
forth are true, and the right of re-
monstrance on the part of the citizens.
1t is proposed to keep a separate ac-
count OF all moneys received from club
/ licenses, and to use them for the pay
ment of the running expenses of the
excise commission.
Although the message Of Governor
Hastings on the construction of the
new capitol building, in which he ad-
/ vises a separate structure at cost of
/ S550,000 which would include a hand
some main hall to be built on the CO.
/ lonial style of architecture, is meeting
/ with some approval throughout the
/ state, there is some opposition develop
| ing among the members, especially
those who are interested in the passage
Of the act establishing a building COM
mission.
Opposing a Cheap Capitol.
In commenting on the message a few
/ days ago a prominent member of the
house committee remarked; THE prop
osition to erect a structure for half a
million dollars verges on the ridiculous
If the limit had been fixed at 81 500 00C
the measure would be worthy of discus
sion. Then, too, do not find an over
whelming sentiment in favor of the CO.
lonial style of architecture. We want
no gingerbread structure, but some.
thing that is stately and substantial
which viii serve us for succeeding gen.
erations."
A large number of members think
] boUavar tba e,1uppetfo,, Nyarxr erood
one, and that, as the governor sug-
gests, main capitol building could be
erected of brick, stone and iron, fire
proof in character and in every way
in keeping with the dignity of the COM
monwealth for this amount.
Governor Hastings has arrived at the
plans ne suggests after long and care
| full deliberation, and is backed by a
large number of the most influential
and representative citizens of the
state. In all probability there will be
a big fight ensue over the plans the
message commends.
If the cost of this structure is limited
to $3.50 600, and an insurance received or
the burned building of 100000, there
would be only about $3.50, 900 to be pro-
vided for.
The committee on agriculture of the
house Is opposed to any change in the
oleomargarine law and the bill to Ii.
cense the manufacture of this product
in Pennsylvania is receiving strenuous
opposition.
The CivI Service Measure.
The bill known as the civil servic,
measure, entitled IAN act to regulate
the civil service of the commonwealth
and Of the cities thereof of counties
containing more than 10000 inhabi
tants, and to provide penalties for it,
violation" which its friends claim wal
drawn in the interests of purity in pol
jtics, was the cause of very spirited
debate in the senate a few days ago
The opponents of this bill contend tina
it should be amended. as 1t confines
it's provis ems to Philadelphia and Al
legheny. and leaves out the other coun
ties of the state, with the possible eX
ception of Luzerne and Schuylkill
A motion to amend it was defeated
by the Quay people, which resulted II
very sharp debate between Senator
Finn and Grady. The fight ragged fo
some time, when action was suspended
that further consideration might b'
taken on another bill. Despite the fac
that some of the members who are il
/ sympathy Win Tie llAeiiuS u THIS bii
offered various amendments, these wer
knocked out and the bill in its origina
form passed second reading. The bill
will without doubt pass the senate a.
it was originally intended, but IL Il
understood they are preparing to Civ
it warm reception in the house whel
It reaches that body.
The investigation of the state treas
ury and auditor generals department.
is about closed. This committee viii
recommend the passage of Stewart
interest bill as amended, eXemptinl
$500, 600 in each Of the three activ'
banks. and no doubt win urge NOR
help for the auditor generals depart
ment Mr.. Mylin has suggested thl
propriety Of giving authority to tn
auditor general TO prepare a vouche
for the various institutions receiving
aid, which viii no doubt be embodied
In a bill.
It is also likely that a bill will b
recommended taking away from all Of
ficers, excepting the auditor general
the right to draw warrants. Thi
would make this official responsible
and he could compel the filing. o
vouchers for all expenditures in his of
flee. This committee will likely havi
their report ready to submit to tn
legislature early in the week.