The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1907-05-02

ing the time OF the House wit
such trifles. But only few outsid
of the Democrats voted OH tie ques
ton and though the vote was al
most unanimously in the aflirma
tive the Speaker declared the reso
luton was lost because less than
majority of quorum had voted
That was technically a correct ri
ling but if the Speaker had beef
for instead of against the resolu
ton the point would not have beer
raised and at least one of the dis
graceful incidents of the new capi
tol would have been removed.
SMALL BUT SPLENDID MINORITY.
There is encouragement in the i'm.
proved tone of the minority Re.
creancy is frowned upon so per.
ceptibly that those delinquent have
a hard time of it afterward. Take
the Senators absent when the vote
on the McCord bill was taken, for
example. Everybody knew that
Senator Hall was seriously i'll and
there was no criticism of his alb
sence except in the columns of a
particularly mendacious scandal
mongering newspaper. The caucus
at which the Democrats agreed to
vote as unit for the bill was held
in his room and the motion was
made by himself. He was in COM
plete sympathy with the purpose of
the action and every just man in
and out of Harrisburg, familiar
with the subject, understood the
fact. But Senators Miller, of
Northampton, and Rowland, of
Pike, have suffered in the estima.
ton of their colleagues immensely.
I have no doubt that their explana-
tions are accurate aud that they
would have been glad to vote for
the bill. No doubt their colleagues
are of the same opinion. But their
regulations suffered a good deal of
wear and tear before the explana-
tions were made and it is a safe
guess that they will be more care
full in the future.
Speaking of tone in such situa-
tions it is worthy of remark that
Senator Halls presence in the
chamber appears to give courage
and confidence to his colleagues.
The little band of Democrats in
that body is composed of splendid
fellows. Grim, Herbst and DeWalt
of the old guard and Dimeling,
Blewitt and Klinedinst of the new
Senators are both capable and
courageous. Senator Dimeling is
particularly virile and efficient
legislator. Long ago somebody re-
marked in commenting upon the
great force of the late Governor
Bigler and the marvellous efficiency
of the late Senator Wallace that
there appears to be something in
the air of that mountain region that
makes men great. Dimeling is new
in the service and as modest as
maiden but he achieves results.
Such men don't need and wouldn't
endure boss but a competent and
courageous leader vastly helps to
maintain the esprit du corps and
Senator Hall is Just the man for
that post. He wants none of the
honors or compliments for himself
but gives moral support, encourage
ment and opportunity to others to
acquire distinction.
THE GRAFT INVESTIGATION.
The graft investigation has gone
from bad to worse and it is only a
question of which of the conspira-
tors will go to the penitentiary and
for how long term. Every pre-
tense OF Pennypacker has been ex-
posed and refuted and even his
friends are beginning to speculate
upon the result of his trial in the
criminal courts. That he is culpa-
BILE hardly admits of doubt but
whether criminally liable or not is
a question. But it is certain that
the State was robbed of upwards OF
five millions of dollars for the bene-
fit of his friends and in consequence
of his delinquency, and justice re,
quires criminal prosecution tc
vindicate the law.
During the sitting of last week
all sorts of surprising things were
brought into view. 1t was shown
conclusively, and subsequently adj
mitted, that Payne & Co. had pad
ded bills of sub. contractors and col.
lected vast sums from the State in
that way; that contract for up
ward of $500, 900 was let without
advertising as the law requires and
that no acquisitions were made by