New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-14

The Pennsylvania Legislature, which meets
this week in special session, has a strenuous
programme Of reform cut out for II. In Gov
srnor Pcnnypackers first call, issued November
IL, tho legislature was invited 10 consider these
subjects. The creation of greater Pittsburg. the
safeguarding of state funds and the requirement
NJ interest on state deposits q reapportionment
IF representation in the legislature; the repeal
If the Philadelphia ripper bills, passed a year
ago at the dictation OF the Durham AfcNichol
machine; the passage OF a personal registra-
40 law, legislation facilitating The building OF
bridges by county authority, and legislation
sbolshlng the fee system in the Offices of the
Secretary OF the Commonwealth and the State
Insurance Commissioner. I'm a call for supple
meptary session, issued January - the Iegis
latUre is nsbed 10 consider The advisabilitv of
euthoriZing uniform primary elections. extending
the merit sy stem in state appointments and regu-
lating the use Of money for political purposes
No legislature in Pennsylvania for years past
has been called on 10 undertake. reforms so
sweeping in scope and so vital in import.
OF the remedial measures 10 I've considered
those relating 10 the suffrage are perhaps the
most important. To eliminate fraud i'm elections
Is the first step toward purer and freer govern
menr. Pennsylvania has long tolerated a
method Of qualifying voters which has bred a
wholesale classification OF the voting lists. In
Philadelphia alone IL was proven that nearly
10000 fictitious names were carried on the asses
sor's rolls. Personal registration was not re-
Quire6. and both straw men and non-residents
could vote with impunity IL their names were
accepted by the assessor and somebody paid
their nominal polltaxes. A personal registration
law is now 10 be enacted. ard tests of qualifica-
ton are TO he enforced which will limit the
suffrage 10 bona fide citizens and residents. The
parry primary election, now loosely regulated by
party usage. IS 10 be put completely under the
protection OF state law, and parties are 10 be
made once more actually self governing. The
expenditure Of money IN elect igi'- = 10 be re-
siricted, and every political "inahf'' IS 10 be
compelled 10 file detailed account or IL collec
lions and disbursements. These laws VIII strike
az corruption ard the doIDinhil"n IA politics OF
the "grafiers' and corruptionfla. aud their pas
sage ought 10 lift public life IN cnnsyNania 10
C far purer and better level.
OF the other reforms the repeal of the Phila-
delpha ripper acts and the reapportiOnment %
representation in the legislature are the most
pressing The Philadelphia bills amended the
Bullitt charter by taking important appontive
lowers away from the Mayor and vesting them
tn the City Councils, the City Councils being a
year ago under the absolute control Of the
Durhsm-GcNichol ring, while the Mayor, Mr.
Weaver, was beginning to show a dangerous
spirit OF tnGependeAoc. Philadelphia has since
smashed TIE ring and sustained the Mayor. and
tie state administration is now anxious 10 undo
last years wantoa tinkeriug with the charter.
a new legislative e9portionmenu is also de-
manded by every consideration Of equity. Al
"A-- tho state consultation REQUIRES rear