Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-03-13
LEGISLATORS DOlNGS.



Transacted at Harrisburg.
Harrisburg, Pa, March TO- 1899.
Another eventful week in legislative
circles has passed. The factional feeling
has grown with each day uutil out-
breaks, with violent oratorial display,
are liable to occur at any moment.
Affairs are at fever heat and before
another week has passed there are liable
to occur some startling events, the like
of which has not occurred in Pensyl-
vania's legislative halls within score
of years.
The senatorial situation is getting in
to more serious shape every day.
Should outbreaks between the contend
ing forces continue there is bound to be
some deyelopement before the session
ends. Events that transpred over the
rulings of Speaker Farr last week and
the bitter contention of the independent
Republicans and Democrats over the
personal Of the committee to investigate
bribery charges, caused an exciting
time in the house, which is likely TO
grow in intensity as the session proceeds.
All thought of pushing legislation seems
TO have been forgotten by the members
in their mad endeavor for factional
supremacy. 1t is a fight to the death
and will continue to the end oil the
session.
The bill introduced by Mr. Fow, Of
Philadelphia, which is to change the
blue laws, has stirred up the church
people of the state. A large gathering
of ministers, BARRIERS, and labor leaders
was held in this city protesting against
the passage of the bill. Churches are
also taking action in the matter and
sending protests to their representa-
tives. The bill will never become law.
A bill has been introduced by Rep
resentatiye Dixon, of Elk county, to
cut down the salary of the superinten-
dent or chief of the banking department
of the state from $4,000 to $4,000 per
annum, also to reduce the number of
examiners in the department from ten
to five and to cut down the per diem
compensation of each ofthese examiners
from ten to five dollars each per day
and their actual expenses as now pro-
vided by law.
Governor Stone has signed the bin
granting power to counties, cities, Tex
cept cities of the first and second
casses), boroughs, municipalities and
school districts in this state, which have
issued bonds or other interest bearing
evidences of Indebtedness, to redeem
the same and issue new bonds therefor
with or without interest coupons attach
ed.
The city and borough Superintendents
Of public schools of the state held
convention in this city and endorsed the
bill providing for seven months school
term.
A few weeks ago Representative Has
son introduced a bill appropriating
81, 900, 900 to complete the capitol build
ing; last week Representative Adams
presented bill doubling the above
amount. There seems to be a wide
difference of opinion as to the amount
to be spent to complete the structure.
The presenting of bills, however, is one
thing and the passing another
1t is now pretty generally believed
that final adjournment will be made on
April 20, as was original intended. The
appropriation bills have been ordered
to be made ready on or before March 20.
This will enable them to have full
and fair discussion for over month
A bill has been presented asking for an
appropriation of $4,000 for the erection
Of a bronze statue OF Ex-Governor An
drew G. Curtin. The proposed statue
is to be erected on capitol hill in front
| Of the nnM sIatn house NiSSlnN