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

The Legislative Session of '99 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, few unmoved by preiu-
dice will candidly i've it fair play and
impartial review. 1t has been, with two
exceptions, the shortest term since 1874,
and take il in a general view, 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 a large number OF
moral mel, 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, the
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,5OO,OOO or possi-
bly, moro, while the appropriations, ex-
cept that to public schools, have been cut
down. In 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
uIe 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 GU
by combination of Democrats and in
surgents. The other reason was that
majority recognized that with failure il
would not have the means to pay up, m
matter which bill passed. Besides tai
was the feeling, and just one, that W
could better afford to let the capitol build
ing wait, than to cripple still more tn
charities.
As to the Senal ership it is an old story
as the public knows, but then all point
and features the public does not know
These points are the means and measure
that cropped out here and there to effet
results that did not appear on thesurfac'
The struggle for political power, betwee
the two factions, began when John War
amaker was candidate for Senator, an
continued through the gubernatori'
campaign. The prosecution of Quay VIZ
part of the scheme, and the refusal of tt
Independents to go into the regularl
called caucus was part Of the plot.
succeeded in 50 far as it prevented Il
election of the caucus nominee,as it failt
in its purpose of electing one of the opp
sition. The acquittal of Quay has full
justified the regular Republicans in the
action and left the organisation in the
hands. With the insurgents it was vel
geance and play for power, that's all.
Amongst the pleasant memories TN
willalways abide with me is an of1ici
visit to President Mckinley, his cabin
and the commanding general of Il
army. The delegation was composed
one neighbour, Senator Cumins, al
Senator Mcdowell, on behalf of the Sc
ate, and Representative McComber al
myself, on behalf Of the House. V
went to invite them in the name of {
State TO the dedication Of the Harrar
monument. 1t will be remembered I'll
in the Presidential campaign deleg
ton went from Forest county to Canto
taking with them the two handsoI
campaign banners, and that Major N
Kinley noticed and spoke Of them. !
ter our business was through the Pre-
dent turned TO me and asked "f For
still had the two blue banners" he 81
"lhat's good, that's very good" 1t stru
me as rather remaEkable evidence OF
good memory. On our visit to u
Miles. Senator McCarrell, asked, IAN
thing new this morning, General ir'
the East ?" "No," was the reply, u
the same old story; every day we II