Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-02-02
Number 38.

Quay's reelection. A number Of or
ganizations have passed resolutions
strongly denouncing the boiting Re-
publicans who have 80 far refused
to vote for the nominee of the Republi-
can caucus for United States senator.
Theater goers are Interested In the
bills introduced in the Pennsylvania
legislature by Representative Scott. Of
this city. One of these provides that
no proprietor of any place of amuse-
ment licensed under the laws Of this
state shall have the right to increase
any of the prices Of admission as ad-
vertised unless at least one weeks no
tice of the same shall be given by ad-
vertisement In the newspapers carry
ing the advertisement of the play.
This bill is to protect imposition on
theater goers. especially strangers in
the city. Some of the managers have
been in the habit of raising rates 100
per cent without notice to the public
Another bill introduced by the same
member provides that 1t shall be i'm,
lawful for the proprietor Of any Ii
censed place of amusement to sell tick
cts of admission without furnishing
seat with each ticket Some of the
theaters continue to sell tickets after
every seat has been occupied. and they
then crowd the aisles. making 1t dan
gerous in case of fire.
The project for the leasing Of the
water works Of this city has gotten a
black eye by the declarations made by
the Republican candidate for mayor,
Mr.. Ashbridge. in his letter of accept
ance. He shows that he will not father
any scheme that will deprive the city
Of any Of Its franchises
which tend to advance. reduce or con-
troll the price or the cost to the con-
sumer are declared to be against public
policy and to he Illegal and void. Any
corporation violating the provisions OF
this act shall forfeit it's charter. Sc
we're penalties are provided for those
who violate the provisions OF the act.
Come of the largest business intereSts
of the state which have been COM
bining to reduce the number Of en-
ployes and to control prices will be
affected by this bill.
The railroad companies come In for
full share of the new legislation pro-
posed. They will find this a more diff
ficult house to handle than many OF
previous legislatures. Wanamaker
made a severe attack on corporations
In some Of his speeches in the last cam
paign, and though his sincerity was
doubted by many, yet he planted the
seed which bears fruit in the present
agitation. The steam roads have
fought the proposition that the trolley
railroads shall be given power to carry
freight, express packages and mall. A
bill giving the trolleys this right has
been introduced in the house. 1t Is to
be pushed by those interested in these
roads, as well as residents along the
lines who would like the conveniences
that would be thus afforded. Another
bill gives the trolley roads the right
of emmett domain. the same as the
steam ads. This. too, Is to be fought
by the steam roads. Under the pres
ent laws a property owner In town.
ship can block trolley road that may
be projected through his property, and
there is no redress. The proposed laws.
will provide for jury to assess the
amount of damage to be paid to the
property owner and will.provide for the:
road to go ahead without interference.
Another interesting measure before
this legislature provides for the fencing
in of all railroad tracks by the cor
porations running the roads, While In
several counties Of the state there are
special laws providing for this 1t ts
by no means general A number Of
states in the Union require the rail-
roads to fence in all their tracks. The
farmers are particularly Interested In
this bill for the protection 1t would af.
ford their live stock. This measure IL
framed to give the state uniform
law providing for the fencing In OF all
railroad tracks.
The subject of q revision Of the tax
laws Of the commonwealth has been
reopened. The Grangers have been
contending that the corporations have
not been paying their proper share OF
the expenses Of the state government.
This sentiment Is expressed In reso-
luton offered by Representative Brown.
which provides for the appointment or
commission to make careful inquiry
into the matter and have report pre-
pared for submission to the Legislature
not later than March l next. 50 that the
members may have data upon which
they may frame new law II found de-
sirable. The raising of the tax rate on
corporations may be necessary to pro-
cure the money necessary to finish the
new capitol building
Members of the district school boards
will be interested in a bill which pro-
vides for the appointment OF a COM
/ mission Of which the state superin-
tendent of public instruction shall be
a member. to prepare a series of text
book to be used in the public schools
and the soldiers orphans schools.
| They are to advertise for bids for the
| printing of these books. giving the con-
| tract to the lowest bidders. and the
| commissioners are to let the district
| school boards have these books at cost
| price 1t will be unlawful to use any
| other than these books in the public
| schools If this bill becomes a law.