The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-04-24
Bills RWaitiDg an
Executive Survey
Harrisburg Letter in Philadelphia Ledge,

Harrisburg Letter in Philadelphia Ledger.
nm HEN the Legislature adjourned
lUkNI it lett on the governors hands
NW 3O3 bills for his consideration.
wv The constitution gives him
thirty days to dispose of these meas
ures. About one-half of them are ap-
preparation bills, and. as the legsla-
ture passed only one measure which
will provide additional revenue, the
Baldwin mercantile tax bill, the con-
dition of the states finances will no
doubt be carefully gone over before the
appropriations to charitable institu-
tions are considered. If, in the esti-
nation of the governor, there is rot
enough revenue in sight to warrant him
in signing these bills, a number of We
toes may be expected.
The most important bill in his hands
is probably the general appropriation
bill. This is a sort of an omnibus
measure, carrying with it every item
of expense that has the remotest con-
nectiOn with the executive judicial and
legislative departments. 1t is quite
voluminous bill, and is the last one
passed before adjournment It's final
construction is always left to a COM
mittee of conference, consisting of
three representatives from each house
and, as members are unable to give it
careful inspection when it is submit
ted in the early morning of the last
day, many a snake escapes the eye of
the most Vigilant legislator. The gen.
eral appropriation bill this year seems
to have given satisfaction. The COM
mittee of conference consisted of Sena-
tors Mitchell. of jefferson: Brown, Of
Westmoreland, both Quay Republicans,
and Cochran, of Lycoming. Demo-
crat, and Representatives Marshall, Of
Allegheny Harris, of Clearheli, two
Quayites, and Hoy, of Clarion.
o
The amount appropriated TO the pay
ment of salaries of the several state
officers and their clerks and employees
by the general appropriation bill is
$1,0S7 ,623.26, which is s135, ,S79.67 less than
was appropriated to this item in 1897.
The legislature this year knocked out
the appropriations of 81, 200 to the audi
tor general and state treasurer for
serving on the board of public ac-
counts, and the same amounts to each
Of these officials for serving as mem
bers of the board of public grounds
and buildings. The 81, 200 formerly given
to the attorney general and secretary
of internal affairs each for serving on
the board of property We're also drop
ped. Although the legislature created
an additional judge for Erie county,
| the item for the payment of salaries
and mileage is $S,6S2.3S less than it
was two years ago. Even the appro-
| priatiOn to pay the expenses of the
Legislature is much less than it was
| in 1897 Two years ago S644, 4,617.92 was
| appropriated in the senate and house.
and this year the appropriation is $3.50, ID.
| 75490, a saving of $S3, 3,4S3.O2.
| o
Following are the more important
| measures awaiting the governors ac-
| tion: Providing for an additional law
! judge for Erie county, To provide for
| the Investigation of the diseases OF do
| mestic animals and making an app y
| priatlon therefor. To authorize the
| topographic and geological survey Of
the state in cooperation with tho
| United States Geological Survey. Reg
ulating certain practices in elections
| legalizing the receiving and dishurse-
| ment Of moneys and defining the duties
OF a candidate in seeking election. 10
| authorize the election of borough
supervisors for the purpose Of keeping
| open and repairing streets and cross
| ings. To provide revenue by impos-
ing a mercantile license tax on ven
doris or dealers in goods wares and
merchandise, and providing for the col
lection of said tax. Regulating the
fees of justices of the peace magis-
trates and aldermen in cases where
| persons are charged with vagraney
Making unlawful the wilful injury to
or obstruction Of side paths declaring
such injury to be misdemeanor and
| providing for the punishment thereof
To regulate the publication, binding
and distribution of the public docu-
ments OF the commonwealth. To pro.
tect the public healthy by prohibiting
the sale of goods in secondhand bottles
or Jars, To prevent the pollution OF
the water supplies of municipalities
| NO f,pnNi2n ha g a