The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1899-04-26
THE PAST LEGISLATURE.

Ihe Legislative session OF w has be-
come proceeding of the past. 1t has
made more history in less time than any
Legislature that ever met in this State.
Some newspapers will unjustly and Bit
terly condemn it. Some will give it un-
merited praise, a few unmoved by preiu-
dice will candidly eive it fair play and
impartial review. 1t has been, with two
exceptions, the shortest term since 1874,
and take il in general view, a good
Legislature. Its personal was above the
average both in intelligence and morals.
There was large number of its member
ship who were Christian men, who were
not ashamed of the name there or else
where. There was large number of
moral meu, affiliated directly with no re-
ligious body. There were some, as there
always are, and probably will continue
to be, whose seifishness, greed and per-
sonal ambition were considered first, tn 2
good OF the State last. The number of
''snakey" bills introduced was compara-
lively small and with few exceptions,
these were promptly killed. The reve-
nues Of the State have been somewhat in
creased, probably by Sl,500,00O, or possi-
bly, more, while the appropriations, ex-
cept that to public schools, have been cut
down. III view of the demands of the
great charities, and of the crowded con-
dition of the Hospitals for the insane Ito
say nothing of the new capitol building),
the revenues ought TO have been increas-
ed to greater amount than they were.
This was not the fault of the House, the
blame must rest on the Senate. The fail
ure not to appropriate for the completion
of the capitol building was due to two
causes: First, there were three bills for
that purpose, two on the Republican side,
one on the Democratic. The Democratic
bill (Hasson's) savored very much of an
endorsement of Hastings, and the regu-
lar Republicans promptly killed it. The
other two were just as promptly laid out
by combination of Democrats and in
surgents. The other reason was that a
majority recognized that with failure in
the Senate to pass revenue bills, that we
would not have the means to pay up, no
matter which bill passed. Besides this
was the feeling, and a just one, that we
could better afford to letthe capitol build
ing wait. than to cripple still more the
charities.
AS to the Senal ership it is an old story,
as the public knows, but then all points
and features the public does not know.
These points are the means and measures
that cropped out here and there to effect
results that did not appear on thesurface.
The struggle for political power, between
the two factions, began when John Wan
amaker was candidate for Senator, and
continued through the gubernatorial
campaign. The prosecution of Quay was
part of the scheme, and the refusal of the
Independents to 60 into the regularly
called caucus was part of the plot. 1t
succeeded in so far as it prevented the
election of the caucus nominee as it failed
in its purpose of electing one of the oppo-
sition. The acquittal of Quay has fully
justified the regular Republicans in their
action and left the organisation in their
hands. With the insurgents it was ven
geance and play for power, that's all.
Amongst the pleasant memories that
willalways abide with me is an official
visit to President Mckinley, his cabinet
and the commanding general of the
army. The delegation was composed OF
one neighbour, Senator Cumins, and
Senator Mcdowell, on behalf of the Sen
ate, and Representative McComber and
myself, on behalf Of the House. We
went to invite them in the name of the
State TO the dedication of the Harranit
monument. 1t will be remembered that
in the Presidential campaign a delega-
tion went from Forest county TO Canton,
taking with them the two handsome
campaign banners, and that Major Nc
Kinley noticed and spoke of them. AT
ter our business was through the Presi'
dent turned to me and asked "if Fores'
still had the two blue banners" he said
'that's good, that's very good" Itstruck
me as rather remaEkable evidence OF
good memory. On our Visit to Gen
Miles, Senator McCarrell, asked, "Any-
thing new this morning, General, from
the East?v "No,r was the reply, "its
the same old story every day we lick