The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1899-03-01
PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE.
House.

In the house Wednesday bills on
second reading was the order OF busl-
ness and several passed this stage.
There was less than quorum of
members present, but as the question
was not raised no notice was taken OF
this.
The bill instructlng the state board
OF health to make a special sanitary
survey and Investigation of the
sources of pollution of public streams
brought on n debate. Messrs. Fow
and Stub, Philadelphia, and Nisbet of
Allegheny championed the bill, and
Messrs fowler of Butler, and Hasson
OF Venango urged legislation instead
or investigation. Action was postpon-
ed for the present, on motion OF Mr..
Stub.
Clinton Rodgers Woodruff of Phila-
delphia introduced bill In the House
Thursday based on the system OF ini-
tiative and referendum. which re-
quires that all ordinances in cities of
the commonwealth shall be submitted
10 the people for a vote. IL 5000 of the
citizens OF any city or per cent. OF
the total vote cast at the preceding
election shall petition for popular
vote on the question within 60 days
after its passage by councils.
The grangers have prepared and VIII
Introduce shortly bill to provide rev.
enue by increasing the tax upon all
corporations one mill. Building and
loan associations alone are excepted.
The bill to punish the buying or re-
| ceiving of junk, rope, scrap iron. brass
or other metals from minors, unknown
or irresponsible parties. provoked
short discussion. Mr.. Brooks OF Erie
| said he introduced the bill by request
| OF the councils OF Erie. Mr.. Dempsey
OF Mexican moved to amend the bill
by striking out the word minors" and
substituting children under Is years"
| The amendment was defeated and the
bill passed second reading.
Mr.. Woodruff of Philadelphia op-
posed the bill fixing the salaries of
constables In Philadelphia at $1,000 a
year for visiting places where liquors
are sold. Messrs. Fow and Voorhees,
| OF Philadelphia favored the passage OF
| the measure on the ground that IL
would abolish the office of deputy con-
stables. Numerous amendments were
| offered to the bill by Mr.. Allen of Phil
| adelphia, all Of which were voted
| down and the measure passed second
| reading.
| A resolution calling for an investi-
cation into charges of bribery in con-
nection with the McCarrell jury bill
was introduced in the House Friday
| morning by Mr.. Koontz of Somerset.
The resolution calls for committee
of three Republicans and two Demo-
| cratic members to conduct the inquiry
| at an expense not to exceed $1,000.
The resolution alludes to the newspa-
| per charges and rumors of bribery and
recites the act of April 20 relative to
| the offense and the power conferred
| by the State Constitution on the legls-
lature to act in such cases.
A large number of bills were read
| In place, among them the following:
Mr.. Constein, Schuylkill-Providng
for the fire test and inspection of pc
troleum oils, where manufactured or
distributed. .
Mr.. fowler OF Forest-Declaring the
1 species OF fish which are game, and
fish commercially valuable for food,
| and to regulate the catching and en-
courage propagation, to protect the
waters from improper and wasteful
fishing. to provide for the appoint
ment of fish commissioners and war
dens. regulating the artificial propa-
cation of game and food fishes by the
| commissioners, and to regulate the
distribution of such fish. This meas
ure was prepared by the State fish
| commission and repeals all former
laws on the subjects affected. ID. p.
Corvin. Plttsburg, is secretary of the
commission.