The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-03-11
HARRISBURG LETTER.
Lively Time Expected Over the
Capitol Commission Bill.
RHoNE's SCHEME OF TAXATION
The Farmer Leader Proposes Tax Of On
Dollar on Every Voter to Pay for the New
Capitol Building-Dr. Swallows Charge
Of Corruption.
Especial Correspondence.)

they made an excellent record for work
On Tuesday they had three sessions
and during that time they disposed o
a numer of bills on second and thirC
reading and several others on a fina
passage. There will be about 20 bill.
ready for final passage on Wednesday
Among the bills acted on on final pas
sage was one providing for the ex.
penses incurred in the Heller and Lau.
bach contest for senator of Northamp.
ton county in 1895, which was passed
and the expenses are to be paid. An
other was the bill introduced by Mr.
Seyfert making ii a misdemeanor to
play a game of football in the state.
This bill, when 1t came up for final
passage, created considerable amuse-
ment in the house, and although Mr..
Seyfert talked very earnestly in its
favor for some time a large majority
Of the members voted against it's pas
sage.
Governor Hastings veto Of the reso-
luton requiring that the architects,
contractors, mechanics and laborers
employed in the erection of the new
capitol should be citizens of Pennsyl-
vania was postponed for further action
There will be a pretty lively time ex-
perienced when the bill which has been
introduced creating a commission COM
posed Of members of the house and
senate to supervise the erection of the
new capitol building comes up for ac-
tion. The friends of this measure hope
to secure it's passage, but they will be
met with very strong opposition. A
number of the members have received
very decided opinions from a number
of their constituents against the adop-
tion of this measure, and they will
have to heed those or be put in a very
unpleasant light before an influential
portion of their constituency.
The experience of the New York au-
thorities, as we'll as those of Phladel-
phia, should be convincing evidence suf-
ficient to show our lawmakers the folly
and expense that attends a commission
of this sort, and that, in the event of
commission being created, it would be
years before they would complete their
work.
The Dairy Commission Investigation.
The committee appointed to investi-
gate the dairy and food commission
has been appointed and will commence
their investigation within a few days.
The vinegar bill which has been intro
auced, providing that no vinegar shall
be manufactured and sold which is not
The legitimate product of pure apple
Juice, known as apple cider or vinegar
IS meeting with some opposition by
some who represent districts where
here are some manufacturers located
vinegar from chemicals,
Ind who have large amount of money
invested in their plants. This bill, they
believe, would work ruin to their busi-
less. They claim that their product is
equal in purity and healthfulness to
hat produced from apples. But the
riends of this bill claim that they are
lctuated by a motive to secure a pure
Irticle, and at the same time afford a
means of protection to the farming in
erests.
Among those who came to Harris
'urg within the past few days to con-
er with the governor in reference to
'lans for the construction of the new |
apitol were William B. Powell the |
Celebrated stockman of Crawford coun-
y, and Leonard Rhone, Of Centre |
ounty, master Of the State Grange. |
'hese gentlemen represent the agri- |
ultural interests. During their con-
erence with the governor Mr.. Rhone |
uggested plan by which a sufficient /
mount of revenue might be raised for
he erection Of the new building that Is
n'due, and at the same time Is worth
onsidering. 1t Is to Law a tax of 81
n each voter in the state, and this
'ould give each person a direct interest
l the building
Governor Hastings is busily engaged
securing plans and estimates for the
rection of the new building, that he
lay lay them before the legislature as
Don as possible, and that they NAV
ave ample time to consider them.
There seems to be an opposition de-
eloping against the bill recurring
anks having state funds deposited to
ay interest on them. When it is con-
ldered that a revenue would be de-
we'd from this source of upwards of
.OO, 900 1t is worthy of trial at least.
The committee that has in charge the
lvestigation of the state treasury and
uditor generals departments had an
ther session, but has failed to ascer
ain thus far but little information.
hey meet again Tuesday, when Au-
itor General Mylin, Chief Clerk
ricker and Corporation Clerk Glenn.
the auditor generals department,
Ill be heard
DIR. Swallows Charges.
The fire investigating committee of
ne legislature at its last session at
,mpted to obtain further information
'om DR.. Swallow, editor of The Penn
yvania Methodist, of this city, in re-
pect to the identity of the persons
pom whom he based his charges that
he capitol was set on fire. But he re-
lsed to answer, and seemed to be
'arless of any threats to hold him for
ontempt. Nothing has developed
nee the hearing given DR.. Swallow on
harges of libel preferred by Captain
I. f. Stewart, member of the house
representatives and secretary of the
oldiers orphans commission, and bv
aptain j. G. Delaney, superintendent
public buildings and grounds, at
hich hearing DR.. Swallow waived the
ght to give testimony to the court
icept the open letter DR.. Swallow has
to Governor HASTINGS. in
hich he requests that the trial be
led on the following allegations, all