The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1899-02-16

~ IetdleT WITH an annual business of
$l0,O0O,0OO under the Hoch bill would
pay $4,000, under the amended Bald
win bill only s7.5OO5O. At retail $780,
600 would be taxed 500 by the former
and only $3.50 by the latter, while a
retailer doing only $4,000 worth of
business would pay under the Hoch bill
$40 and under the Baldwin bill IS.
OF Interest to Cyclists.
Bicylers are interested in a bill intro
duced by Representative Paschall of
Warren, and reported favorably by the
public roads committee, to legalize the
construction and maintenance of side
paths along the highways of all town
ships, for the use of bicycles and pedes-
trians. the wheel people. however, to
have the right of way. Upon petition
from at least 25 freehoder residents of
the county who are bicycle riders, the
quarter sessions court shall appoint
three resident wheelmen to serve as
side path commissioners, without COM
pensation beyond necessary expenses.
Each year the term of but one COM
missioner is to expire, and the vacancy
is to be filed by the court upon petit
tion as before. The commissioners shall
supervise the construction and main
tenance of side paths. All residents
owning bicycles are to be assessed by
the regular tax assessors, and the
county commissioners shall levy a tax
of 81 on each wheel, or as much thereof
as may be recommended by the side
path commissioners. The money thus
raised shall constitute a side path fund.
The paths are to be constructed be-
tween the roadway proper and the land
abutting thereon, and not less than
three nor more than six feet wide.
AS beer pays the national govern
ment 50 a barrel. half of It Spanish war
tax, II is authoritatively hinted that
Governor Stone would veto, even if
constitutional a bill introduced in the
house by Mr.. Hosack, of Allegheny, to
impose a tax of half a cent a gallon on
all beer, ale and porter manufactured
or brewed in the state during the three
years beginning June /, 1899, to be paid
semi annually in July and January.
The bill provides that the quarter ses-
sions clerks shall keep the auditor. gen.
eral posted as to the brewers, and get
a $40 fee for each name and address.
The auditor general may at any time
request such a certified list. Sworn re-
ports of the number OF gallons manu-
factured are to be made semi-annually
by the brewers.
The estimated revenue from such a
tax. being less than s1,000,O00. would
hardly meet Governor Stones view of
what is needed to cover the treasury
I deficiency and warrant his approving
an appropriation for new capitol. The
Hosack bill would be unconstitutional
unless a way could be found to tax
liquors imported from other states.
A Plan to Increase Expenses.
Notwithstanding the gloomy revenue
! prospect, protests from newspapers
| and citizens against the bills for new
courts of limited jurisdiction through
out the state and for three additional
common pleas judges in Philadelphia
have not halted the proposed raid upon
the treasury through multiplication of
public offices. Representative Adams, of
Philadelphia, introduced a bill provid-
ing that at the next general election
two judges shall be elected for that
city to serve exclusively in the courts
of oyer and terminer, general jail de-
livery and quarter sessions. Their sal
aries are to be $1,000 year each, and In
addition to trying indictments they
shall adjudicate matters relating to
breaches of the peace, punish for con-
| ltlnDl lSSut WTllS VI HdDtdS tOTpuS
and have equal authority with the
common pleas judges to make orders
and DEGREES, and render judgments in
criminal jurisdiction. The governor is
to appoint the two judges to serve until
next January !.
Senator Weller, of Bedford, declares
that the creation of such court would
violate section of article of the con-
stitution.
A bill from Representative Sexton, OF
Montgomery, would repeal the proviso
in the general road law of 1897 that ii
should not take effect until 81 900, 00C
should be appropriated therefor or re-
ceived into the treasury for road pur-
poses. The Sexton amendment pro-
vides that the act shall take effect on
the first Monday of January, 1900
Backers of this change hope for new
revenue to warrant an appropriation
to make the bill operative.
BY Senator Brown, of Philadelphia, g
bill was introduced requiring every in
surance company and association ex'
cepting mutual assessment associa-
tions. doing business in Pennsylvania
to publish once a week for two con
secutive weeks in the month of Novem
ber in each year an itemiZed list ant
statement of the assets owned by sucl
company.
In the senate Mr. Carroll presented
a resolution providing for the appoint
ment of q legislative committee of five
to assist in making arrangements fo
the unveiling of the Hartranft monu
meet in Harrisburg on May H. Th'
resolution provides that an invitation
be extended to the president and Others
to take part in the ceremonies.
Refused to Invite Bryan.
) AS soon as the resolution was rea'
| Mr.. Washburn moved that william
j. Bryan, of Nebraska, be also in
, vited to attend the unveiling of tn
: | monument"
rs the motion seconded?" aske'
r | Lieutenant Governor Goblin, who oc
! | cupied the chair.
t Mr. Washburn looked to his fellow
Democratic members to second the mo
ton, but none responded. Therefor