The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-02
Read Before General Assembly
Of Pennsylvania
COURTS CAPITAL INQUIRY.
Says No Important Work Is Achieved
On Earth Without an Aftermath
of Query, Criticism and
Even Hostility.

Harrisburg. January 1.-The general as
sembly of Pennsylvania convened at noon
today. After the organization and the
reading of Governor Pennypackers last
message, a recess was taken until Janu-
ary IA to give the presiding officer time to
select the standing committees. The re-
publican party Is in the majority in both
houses.
After both houses had been organized.
the last biennial message of Governor
Pennypacker, who goes out of office jan I
uary 10, was presented and read.
''lf it be true the governor says, AS
some philosophical observers have writ
ten that those events which attract tho
attention of mankind and fill its histories =
come to individuals as tragedies and mis-
fortunes, and to nations as wars. pesti-
lences and famines. the affairs of Penn
sylyana at the present time are not like
lp to be conspicuous In annals or to be
pleasing to those whose business Is In ex-
ploltaton OF calamity and failure. What
was once written of another people, And
Judah and Israel dwelt safely every mani
under his vine and under his fig tree from
Dan even to Beershaba may be repeat
ed of those who now dwell between the
Delaware and Ohio. 1t is altogether a.
story of unprecedented prosperity and un-
usaual accomplishment
The governor then takes up state mat
ters, dealing with score of subjects, the
most interesting of which is the contro-
versy over the decorations and furnish
ings of the new state capitol. The erec-
! tion of the structure cost $f500,000, and
the decorations and furnishings $9.00o,-
| 900. .
Courts Inquiry.
The governor courts an INJURY and re-
quests the Legislature to investigate thf,
charges.
Continuing he sald
''l'he capitol is all paid for. and has been
! paid for out of revenue without the i'm
| position of burdens on the people Two
alone of the railroads of the common
wealth pay to her annually in taxes s3.-
656.229 and since they are largely owned
| in London and New York, 1t is at least
| a partial truth that the capitol Is only
return to us of some of the wealth de-
rived by the stranger from our own nat
ural resources.
| mo important work was ever achieved
on this earth, whether for the better
ment of human affairs the enhancement
! of human interests or the enhancement of
human sentiment without an aftermath of
| query. criticism, dissent objection and
even hostility. The Industrious farmer
plows his field for next years crop, while
birds of Ill omen sit along the fence
and croak their displeasure. The vapors
! from swampy grounds often obscure for
a time the very moon In the heavens. 1t
would be too much to expect the capitol,
| beautiful in its proportions, adorned with
| the wealth of the thought of all time and
| builded for the centuries that are to fol-
| low to escape the whimpers of today, and
| If 1t cannot be denied that the eyes of
men tighten and their hearts warm as
| they view it's wondrous success, at least
| It can be urged that 1t has cost a con-
| siderable sum of money. On this s=bject
| request and advise that you make a thor
| ough and complete inquiry"