Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1901-03-07

that the battle is only in its prelimi-
nary stages, and we confidently appeal
to the people of our districts to note
we'll the issues upon which that battle
has been Joined and upon which it will
finally have to be determined.
Resolved further. That the chair
man of this meeting be authorized
hereby to appoint committee of
seven, of whom he shall be one, to
confer wit and cooperate with any
similar committees that may be ap-
pointed to carry on the fight for good
government in other parts of the city
and the county"
FLINN RING DESPERATE.
The Finn ring has, as above indi-
Gated. already started in to fight for
their political existence in the last
ditch. They propose to interpose all
manner of legal and other obstacles to
the enforcement of the new charter,
which provides that within 80 days of
the date upon which the governor at
taches his signature to it, the governor
shall appoint recorder for each of
the three cities affected-Pittsburg
Scranton and Allegheny. The present
mayors of Pittsburg and Allegheny in
tend to resist the enforcement of the
law, which legislates them out of Of
flee, and hot struggle In the courts
will result.
In Scranton Mayor Moir seems to be
willing to accept the pledges of the
party leaders that only where the in
terests of reform demand shall changes
be made. He was one of the most ac-
tive supporters of the bill when it was
up before the legislature. He says the
citizens of Scranton desired the pass
age of the BILL and he Joined with them
in advocating it.
...-".."s ,ne Amount OF nm APP
preparation by the Legislature the
Governor Followed Constitutional
Authority and Precedent In Pro-
tectfng the Honor and Credit of
the Commonwealth.
Especial Correspondence)
Philadelphia, Feb. 5.-A complete
endorsement of Governor Stones action
in vetoing part of the appropriation for
the schools, when, in his opinion, the
revenues of the commonwealth would
not justify the full appropriation made
by the legislature, was given last week
In decision by the court of common
pleas of Centre county, Judge Lore on
the bench. Governor Stones action
was based upon the estimated revenues
as furnished by the state officials, and
it was done to preserve the credit and
honor of the state. There was abso-
lutely no political interest to serve.
In fact, had the governor been actuated
by desire to play politics. he would
probably have approved the entire ap-
preparation.
The insurgent newspapers, with po-
litical axes to grind, have been assail-
ing Governor Stone from the moment
he cut down this appropriation. The
people have, however, become familiar
with the purposes of these attacks, and
they have done him no harm. Poll
ticians have sought to stir up strife in
the school boards and have caused suits
to be instituted against the state au
thorities with view to continuing the
agitation.
An amicable arrangement was reach
ed by which the matter came up as a
test case before the Centre county
court.
This was on an application for per-
emptory writ of mandamus upon James
E. Barnett, state treasurer, to compel
him to pay to the school districts of
Patton township its proportionate share
of the money appropriated by the act
of May 13, 1899, for the support of the
public schools of the commonwealth
for two years. commencing June |,
1899, upon the basis of the whole appro-
priation named in the bill. namely.
$11 100000. an alternative writ having
been granted and issued and service
waived
The petition of the plaintiff set forth
that the 18th day of May. A. d. 1899.
the governor approved the general ap-
preparation act for that session, with
such exceptions as are therein desig
mated. The section of the said bill
contains the appropriation for the sup
port of the public schools of this COM
monwealth for the two years commence
ing on the first day of June. 1899, the
sum of $1l 900. 600. to be paid on war;
rants OF the superintendent of public
instruction, in favor of the several
school districts of the commonwealth.
The act was passed by both branches
of the legislature, making an appro-
priation in a total sum of $l1 ,000. 900
for two years. The governor, when
the same was presented TO him for his
approval or disapproval. because of the
depleted condition of the treasury. ap-
proved the appropriation to the extent
of $l0.000.00O. and disapproved of
$l,000.000 thereof. The school district
of Patton township. believing that 1t
was entitled to its proportionate share
of the one million dollars dsapproved
by the governor. applied TO the state
treasurer to have him notify the super
intendent of public instruction that
there were sufficient funds In the treas
ury to pay the amount claimed by them
under said appropriation.
The state treasurer declined to do
so. on the ground that. the governor
having disapproved one million of the