Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1907-02-28
Stuart -las EN- Guessing.

they reach him. Some of these bills
have merit, while a great many have
not. Mr.. Beidleman, of Dauphin, in
troduced a bin addine 5000 a yea!
to the salaries of all state employees
receiving less than 81 900 a year. The
proposed increase would affect more
than 400 Office holders Those inter
ested in the bill have been trying to
get the governor to commit himself
before it reaches him. Gov. Stuart
however, has steadfastly refused to
so on record regarding this or any
other bill before II comes to him for
his approval.
Gov. Stuart is not very much in
favor of boosting salaries or creating
new positions. He would like to see
the clerk who draws small wages
get more money, for 1t is generally
the underpaid clerk who does the most
work. But the trouble is there are
so many demands made for the states
money that it is hard to draw the
line when it comes to remedying mat
ters. The clerks who ARE back of the
bill! had Mr. Beidleman present it be-
cause he is a resident of Harrisburg
and knows how much work the men
on capitol hill are required to do for
their money.
Bill to Tax Railroads.
The bill introduced in the senate
by Mr. Wiljert, of Allegheny, empow-
ering cities TO tax the real and per
sOnal property of railroads, street rail
roads, telegraph, telephone, water,
gas. electric light. heat and public
utility companies is likely to be
amended so as to include all bor-
oughs and townships. 1t is contended
that the boroughs and townships need
the revenue to be derived from such
taxation and are just as much en-
titled to it as are the cities This is
a very important bill and is likely to
meet with the combined opposition
of all corporations.
Local option advocates have been
busy at Harrisburg. They are work
ing very hard to secure the passage
of their bill. 1t is hard to predict
what success the measure will have.
but it is certain to cause many
heartache before many days. The
opponents OF the bill are working just
as hard to keep it within the commit
tee. Petitions begging the legislature
to pass the bill come pouring in and
there is no doubt that with many
members they will have considerable
effect. You can't always tell from
what member says just how he is
going to vote, and should there be a
stampede it is doubtful if anything
could defeat the measure
That Constitutional Convention.
Sentiment seems to be growing in
favor of a constitutional convention.
The bill introduced by Senator Lang
fit providing for a vote to be taken
on the question is regarded as very
fair one, BY putting the question up
to the people the election will cost
nothing, as it is to be held on the
regular election day. Then if the
people decide that 4 constitutional
convention is necessary the cost ol
the convention viii be borne by the
state and will not be excessive. In
fact, it is believed that if it should
be decided in convention to have but
one election year instead Of two, the
state would save more in one year
than the expense Of the convention
would be. Gov Stuart intimated very
strongly that something should be
done toward framing new cOnstitu-
ton for the state, and there is no
doubt that he would sign the bill if
it reaches him.
Phillips Has Scheme.
a great lot of illegally drawn bills
have been introduced in the legisla-
ture. Some of them may reach the
governor. Then it will be his bust
ness to determine their legality or IL
legality. OF course his attorney gen
eral will have to bear the brunt of
this work. Senator Phillips of New
Castle, is the author of a plan to
create a legislative reference bureau.
The scheme is in practical working
order in Wisconsin, and many would
like to try it here in Pennsylvania
According to the bill which Senator
Phillips is preparing, the duties of
the bureau will be to pass upon the
constitutional questions involved in
the legislation. The bureau also will
be available for drafting bills Mem
bers are obliged to bear this expense
themselves at present Another idea
is to use the card system for index.
ing the vast collection of information
which would be collected by such a
bureau. In this way the Pennsyl-