The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-04-16

Harrisburg, Pa, April 15.-The house
started in today to hold three sessions
and then take a holiday over Easter.
Bills on second reading were the order
for the morning ard afternoon session.
The order at the evening session was
bills on first reading and original reso-
lutions. a raft of petitions from
oranges through the state were filed
in favor of the Hamilton road law.
Resolutions were read from the Pitts
burg Newspaper Writers union and
the Brewery Workers union in favor
of the Muelhbronner bill eliminating
power driven machinery from prisons.
a. petitions was also read from ten
Scranton clergymen asking for the en-
actment of a law to prohibit the play
ing of base ball, foot ball and golf on
Sunday.
Mr.. North, of Mexican, by request,
presented q bill to prevent parents or
guardians from locking up children un-
der 8 years under any preteXt and pro-
yiding a penalty of $25 for the first Of
fense, $50 for the second and six
months Imprisonment for the third.
If any child or children should lose
their lives by being locked up the pun
ishment shall be one years imprison-
ment and $50 fine.
Mr.. Morahan, of Luzerne introduced
bill appropriating $1,000 to William
Webber, of Avoca, for rent of armory
used by Company f. Ninth regiment.
National Guard of Pennsylvania, and
directing the auditor general to settle
the claim.
Mr. Gould, of Erie, called up post
roned house bill to revise and codify
the poor laws of the state and make
uniforms the system of caring for the
poor ir the commonwealth. The meas
ure was amended so as not to apply to
counties having a population of less
than $4,000.
The Hammond bill amending the
compulsory school law also passed Sec
ond reading. II increases the school
age from 10 to Q6 years, confers upon
directors and tontrollers powers to des-
ienate schools for those who fail to at
tend school, provides for the establish
ment of special schools for truants and
other Offenders, requires registration
by attendance officers and the report
of absentees from schools.
LIBEL BILL RECONSTRUCTED.
Mr. Smith, of Jefferson, called up the
libel bill prepared by the Pennsylvania
State Editorial association. The meas
ure was defeated in the house some
time ago and subsequently reconsider
ed. Mr.. Smith presented a series of
amendments which practically makes
new bill and eliminates the most
Objectionable features. The bill as
amended passed second reading. 1t
provides that in all criminal prosecu-
tioEs for libel the truth may be given
in evidence to the jury and if it shall
appear that the matter charges as Ii
belous is substantially true and was
published with good motives and for
justifable ends the defendants shall be
acquitted and the jury shall have the
right to determine the law and the
facts. In no case can the defendant
in any prosecution for libel be indicted
for the printing or publication of the
same libel by the same individual in
more than one country in the state
and in trials of indictment for libel
the commonwealth shall be at liberty
to stand aside jurors The title was
also amended to read "An act relating
to criminal libel"
REPORT ON ANTI-FREE LUNCH
BILL.
The straddling anti-free lunch bill
was reported from the law and order
committee with negative recommen-
dation. On motion of Mr.. Voorhees,, of
philadelphia, senate bill to regulate the
registration of dogs in cities of the first
class was sent back to the judiciary
general committee for a hearing. A
motion was offered by Mr. Seyfert. of
Lancaster, and defeated, that the bill
prohibiting the insuring of children un-
der IL years be recommitted to the in
Surance committee to eliminate the OBJ
jectionable features.
Mr.. Seyfert presented a concurrent
resolution authorizing the appointment
of three members of the house and two
of the senate to make a thorough and
complete investigation of the manage
ment of the Eastern and Western peni-
tentiaries. The resolution adopted by
a vote of SO to So.
On motion of Mr.. Orme a bill taxing
orders, checks and other paper given
in lieu Of cash for wages of labor was
recommitted to the ways and means
committee.
Mr.. Rice, of Bucks, offered a concur
rent resolution which was referred to
the education committee to establish a
bird day in the public schools. Mr.. Cut
shall, of Crawford, moved that the bill
Furnishing bribery in the election of
county superintendent, which was de-
feated, be placed on the calendar The
motion failed by vote of 60 to "a, less
than two-thirds Of a majority voting in
the affirmative. The order of bills on
first reading was dispensed with and
the house adjourned until Monday
evening.