The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1899-02-15
PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE.
House.

House bill No. o. introduced by
Representative George NJ. Hosack
January 81 and reported favorably by
the corporations committee February
2, Is an interesting supplement to
supplement approved June 13, 1888,
providing for charter changes OF cor
poratlons OF the second class Mr..
Hosacks bill, II It becomes law.
would add greatly to the privileges
enjoyed by the corporations, which,
without additional legislation could
engage in almost any enterprise prom
Using profitable returns. For instance.
traction companies could dispose Of
surface power to municipalities, or pri-
vate persons, carry freight, or, In fact,
do many things now forbidden by law.
The net result OF Tuesdays legisla-
tive work was the passage Of Mr..
Fow's bill providing for the appoint
ment Of masters i'm divorce cases and
giving them the privilege of making
n recommendation to the court upon
the evidence presented. 1t was the
first bill to finally pass in the house
this session.
The McCarrell jury bill passed first
reading In the house Wednesday morn
ing without a single dissenting vote.
The opposition has prepared series
of amendments to the bill which Will
be offered when the measure Is con-
sldered on second reading.
The constables' fee bill passed sec
ond reading, and n bill extending to
cities of the second class the act OF
May "a, 1897. which authorizes cities OF
the first class to appropriate $500 an
nually for the support of each COM
pany of the national guard, passed
finally.
The bill to regulate theater attend
ance and price of admission, and the
bill to secure better fire protection in
hotels, were favorably reported from
committee.
Thursday afternoon the house, by
vote of 93 to 80. postponed further ac-
ton of the McCarrell jury bill until
March 81 1t Is a question who were
more surprised by the result, those
who favored or those who opposed
the bill. State Chairman John
7. Elkin, before leaving for Washing
ton, at noon said the bill would pass
second reading with a majority of 90
and this seemed to be the opinion OF
Speaker Farr, Frank Willing Leach,
who had been championing the meas
ure in the house, Magistrate Durham
and Representative Charles Voorhees,,
who led the debate for the Quay side.
The house session was well attended
Friday morning. but the anticipated
move to reconsider the action on the
McCarrell bill was not made.
Chairman Hosack of the ways and
means committee introduced a bin to
provide revenue by imposing a tax on
| all beer ale and porter manufactured
or brewed during the three years be-
| ginning July l. 1899. The amount Of
| tax proposed Is one-half cent a gallon.
1t is estimated that the bill would
create revenue to the amount of s5,-
| 900. 000
| Among the other bills introduced
were the following:
| BY McWhinney: To give to all en-
| ployes of any person, firm, company or
| corporation the same right in civil ac-
tions as is enjoyed by persons not so
| employed.
BY Srodes: Making anappropriation
| of 100000 for the McKeesport hospital.
| BY Harold: Authorizing townships
| to pay in part for improving streets
| and laying sidewalks.
| BY Adams, of Philadelphia: Provid-
ing for two additional judges in Phila-
| delphia to serve exclusively in the
courts of criminal jurisdiction, at a
salary of $1,000.
BY Hagg, Of Schuylkil Providing
for representation upon the boards
of trustees of state normal schools Of
| three members of the alumni of the
school when It has been in operation
| ten years.
BY Stewart. of Philadelphia: APP
propriating $4,000 to the Pennsylvania
Society to protect children from cruel
| ty.