Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-02-20
WITH THE W-MAKERS.
NOTES AND COMMENTS FROM THE
PENNSYLVANIA CAPITAL.

President Mckinley and Other National
Officials to Visit Harrisburg on May 12.
Summary of Important Bills Lately
Observation-Disclosures Is Still On.
The senatorial situation remains un
changed. For more than four weeks
ballots have been taken daily without
result. The presence in the city the
past few days Of IL number of leading
Democratic politicians of the state gave
rise to the belief that they were here to
help break the deadlock
The unveiling of the handsome eques-
train statue of the late General John f.
Hartranft on the capitol grounds, fac
ing the new state house, will take place
May II and will be an imposing event.
| President Mckinley has given his as
surance that he will attend as will also
Secretaries Algcr and Long and General
Miles. A resolution has been presented
calling for the appointment of legisla-
tive committee of five to assist in max
ing arrangements for the event.
Another lot of bills have been pre-
sented, among the most important of
which are these: Authorizing the cleo
| tion OF two triennial assessors in town
ships and boroughs not divided into
wards and one principle assessor in
ooroughs and authorizing judges to APP
| point assessors in cases of vacancy.
Another railroad bill compels railroad
companies to equip their cars and loco
motives with couplers, continuous
brake and grade irous; their locomotives
with driving wheel brakes; fixing Il
standard height for drawbacks for
freight cars and engines, and to adjust,
fill or block all frog switches, guard
rails and all other constructions which
are part of or are near their tracks so
as to prevent the feet of employees from
being caught therein.
MILITARY BILLS.
A bill pertaining to the National
Guard has made his appearance. 1t
provides that the Guard shall consist of
$50 companies of infantry, five troop OF
cavalry, five batteries of artillery, four
companies of engineers and signal
corps. There shall be one major gener-
| al. The Guard shall conform to the
regulations OF the United States army
Another measure bearing on military
matters provides for the organization of
reserve force, to be called out in case
OF war, to suppress riots and to assist
the civil officers in the execution of the
laws. The members shall be enrolled
by assessors, and shall include every
male citizen between the ages of 81 and
A., except those mentally unsound,
drunkards, paupers, convicts and state
officials. Assessors are paid cents for
each name they report liable for military
duty, and the county commissioners are
directed to publish the list and send the
names to the adiustant general.
BEER BILLS.
bill to tax beer, ale and porter
brewed within the state, for revenue
purposes, has again appeared, although
Il similar bill has deem defeated at every
session since 1891, because the brewers
have been liberal contributors to cam
paigns, and it is very likely that such
contributions were made with the
understanding that no adverse legi>-
lation be passed, at least not until after
the session of 1901. Another beer bill
offered is to repeal the act of 1897,
which requires manufacturers of liquors,
who sold their product to licensed
dealers only, to pay into the state
treasury 81 200 year for this privilege
This was one Of Il batch of revenue bills
to help replenish the treasury and the
brewers now want it repealed.
Captain George w. Skinner, who was
pension agent at Harrisburg during
| President Cleveland's last term, has in
troduced a bill into the legislature pro-
vding pensions for Pennsylvanians who
fought in the war Of the rebellion. The
rate of pension shall be monthly
rate of one cent per day for each day
served in the war. Pensions shall not
be paid to persons of grossly intemper-
ate habits. Attorneys or agents prose-
cutting claims are not permitted to
charge fee of more than $40 for each
claim. Pensions granted under this act
shall cease when congress shall provide
pensions for the class of soldiers receiy-
ing pensions under this act.
bill presented authorizes the Penn
sylvania Canal Company to abandon the
public use of that portion of its canal from
Newton Hamilton to Duncan's island.
This is in the interest of the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad Company so that it may
stralghten and otherwise improve its
tracks along the canal.
bill in the interest of public health
and eme rgency cases was offered which
empowers school directors in townships