The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1907-09-19

iouar Of Health and created not less
than $500 new Offices, the main bust
ness of whom was to serve as can
vassers for the Republican machine.
The law has not been used, as yet,
TO the full measure of its opportuni-
ties, because the upheaval expressed
IN thc election of Mr. Berry admOn-
ished the machine that it wouldn't
be safe. But it is on the Statute
books and when he machine Is re
stored 20 complete power again 1t Will
be worked to the limit.
Tbn Crowning Atrocity of Legislation
House bill No. 4S6 of the session
OF 1905 is entitled to the distinction
CT being designated as "the crown
ing atrocity" of modern legislative
jugglery. It conveyed the technical
legal authority under which Penny
packers Board of Public Grounds
and Buildings looted the treasury in
completing and furnishing the capi-
tol. 1t was entitled "An act author
izing tho Board of Commissioners OF
Public Grounds and Buildings to
make contracts for stationary sup
plies, fuel, furniture furnishings, dis
terations and improvements"
Previous legislation on this sub
ject contained no authority to make
repairs, alterations and improve
ments," and that change constitutes
the Joker" under which the graft
ing was perpetrated. In his testimony
before the investigating committee
Pennypacker sheltered himself under
It and exultantly referred to the Sc
curity In which he dwelt. All the
frauds were legalized, he said, by
that legislation, and the expendi-
lures of the Board of Public Grounds
and Buildings we're limited only by
the resources of the treasury. AS
long as there was a dollar left in
the strong box of the State, he said.
the board could order furnishings,
furniture, repairs, alterations or inn
provements. Upon that iniquitous
measure Mr.. Sheath voted aye.-Leg-
islatlve Record, 1905, page 26f0.
Mr. Sheath voted for the bill auth
orizing railroad companies to "ac-
Quire, hold dispose of and guarantee
the stock and securities of water
companies. .---Legislativ Record, 49,
05, page 1926. This was one of
the notorious water snakes of that
session.
While the so-called Philadelphia
ripper" was pending In the Legisla-
ture the people of that city were in
q state of CONSERVATION. The then
reform Mayor had offended the boss
es by removing the Directors of De-
partments and appointing as their
successors men Of character and alb
ility. In resentment of this the mach
Inc introduced into the Legislature
a bill taking from the Mayor the pow
er of appointing heads of Depart
ments and vesting 1t In councils. The
handful Of opponents of the machine,
led by John G.. Harman, fought earn
estly to defeat the measure, One Of
the expedients resorted to was an
amendment offered by Mr.. Greasy
providing for the election of Direct
ors by popular vote Of the people.
That would have completely de-
feated the purpose of the machine
and prevented the passage of the
bill. Upon the question Of the adj
option of the amendment Sheath vot-
Legislative Record. 1905, page
3032. The bill was subsequently
passed and was repealed during the
extra session Of 1906.
Mr. Sheath voted for the bill fix
ing the compensation, duties and
mileage Of employees of the General
Assembly Record, 1905
page 1925. The custom Of the ma
chine had been to put lot Of party
dependents on the payroll of the
two Legislative bodies without au-
thority of law and pay them out Of
the contingent fund which was un-
limited. This was called padding
the payroll" and some years ago
got some prominent politicians, in
Guiding Justice Elkin. into grave
trouble To legalize the iniquity the
legislation was introduced and as
shown by the Record, on page indi-
Gated Mr.. Sheath voted for it.
The bill creating the water Sup
ply commission was another Of the
water snakes. Mr.. Sheath voted for
it.-Legislative Record, 1905, page
8645.
Sheath As An Artful Dodger.
One Of the distinguishing charac-
teristics Of Mr.. Sheatz's legislative
practice was his lodging important
votes. Indeed he might we'll be
characterized as "the artful dodger,"
and whenever the machine didn't act
ually need his vote for measure
but was not quite certain enough Of
Its passage to permit him to vote
against It, he lodged and got on
record among the absent or not vot-
ing"
He lodged the vote on the bill
creating the Department of Public
Health and Charities in Philadelphia
Legislative Record, 1905, page
3035. The Department Of Charities
and Corrections in that city had
been rendering poor service to the
machine for some time. Durham's
brother-in-law, Phil. Johnson, hadn't
been doing as we'll as ne thought he
ought to In looting the city because
the Director of the Department
wouldn't wink the other eye," at
some of his plans and 1t was deter
mined to rip the recaloitrant out of