The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1903-02-05
Especial correspondence

S''o 'iN'ouuSSu-OtfeT iteTT'S OF lH-
terest.
Especial Correspondence
Harrisburg, Feb. 2.-With less than
a fortnight of actual working days the
present legislature has accomplished a
wonderful amount of work. There has
been a swing and alacrity about the
proceedings and an utter absence OF
time-consuming "wind-jabbing" that
are truly edifying. Bills have thus
early gone over to the governor and
have been signed; appointments have
been made and confirmed; appropria-
tion bills have actually been passed be-
fore January waned-and this is some
thing unprecedented - and altogether
Senator Quay's prediction that the ses-
sion would be short and businesslike
seems likely to be verified.
Unless something happens! But
while forebodings of trouble persist in
disturbing the serenity of the peaceful,
the legislative sky is clear and without
a fleck to mar its brightness. OF
course, as the sinister prophets say,
there is plenty of time in which the
clouds may gather.
The week opens as last week closed,
with speculation upon the McWhinney
legislative apportionment bill. There
are very few people hereabout who ex-
pect the measure to pass in its present
shape. To a man the Philadelphia
members are opposed to it. 1t gives
two additional members to Philadel-
phia, while it gives eight additional to
Allegheny. This would be enough to
condemn it in the eyes Of the Quaker
City representatives. But besides this,
of the 25 members composing the
house committee on representative ap-
portionment, II would be legislated out
of office by the McWhinney bill. 1t is
thus easy to perceive why as general
thing the measure is not popular.
Chairman Yates. of the committee, Is
authority for the statement that the
bill may never get out Of committee.
He and several of his colleagues inti-
mate that any person who wishes to be
heard before the committee-every
representative district being free to
have its constituents testify in unlim-
tied numbers-will be given a chance.
This line of proceeding would consume
pretty nearly all the time of the ses-
sion, and would effectually bar re-
port before the day of adjournment.
Another apportionment bill, probably
inspired by the governor himself, will
be introduced, and doubtless some real
effort will be made to comply with the
constitutional provision, inasmuch as
this is the earnest demand of Governor
Pennypacker. The McWhinney bill
places the total representation at 207,
an increase of 3.
Good Roads Bills.
Good Roads is a subject Just now
claiming a good deal Of attention, and
some effective legislation is pretty GER
tain to be sent to the governor. There
is a disposition to be liberal in this
connection. The Sproul bill in the SEN
ate has been followed by another
measure in the house, offered by Mr..
Fox, of Chester, and Mr.. Greasy of CO.
lumbia, says this is the measure, with
some amendments, that will be sup
ported by the Democrats.
The Fox bill practically makes an
appropriation Of $1,000000 a year to
carry out the provisions of the Hamil-
ton bill of 1897, which became inopera-
tive through an appropriation not ac-
companying 1t. The contemplated
amendments are that there shall be
canvass of the mileage of the public
roads taken every ten years and the
money expended proportionately in ac-
cordance with that census; that old
established roads be favored, and that
safeguards be provided against an in
discriminate and unnecessary laying
| out of new roads.
It was stated in this correspondence
q month ago that two contests were to
be injected into the house, and they
have now made their appearance. They
challenge the election of Frank X.
Blumle, Democrat, of Cameron, and
Bernard j. Ferry, Democrat, of Lu-
zerne, the contestants respectively be-
ing Henry H. Mullen and James H.
Harvey, Republicans. The subject got
before the house in the shape of res
olution from the committee on elec-
tions, reported by Mr.. Plummer, Of
Blair, authorizing the committee to
hear testimony and determine the con-
test.
The resolution was adopted by an
almost strictly party vote, Mr.. Garner,
Republican, of Schuylkill, voting with
the Democrats, however while Mr..
Hitchcock, of Tioga, conspicuous as an
insurgent last session, refrained from
voting at all.
Notices of the contests have already
been served upon Messrs. Blumle and
Ferry, and subcommittee of the gen.
eral committee will begin hearing the
cases in about a week.
| Hope For the Miners.
Mr. Garner, of Schuylkill, who leads
the anthracite forces in the house, is
much more hopeful than two years ago