The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1909-10-07

fen a victim to Governor Pennypack
er's veto axe. In his veto message the
governor said: "To permit corpora
tions. organized for reasons given
above in other states, to hold real es.
tate and do business here. would be,
in effect to nulify, indirectly, our own
laws. This bill presents to such cor.
porations an easy means of escape
from the disabilities imposed upon
them" Vetoes by the governor, 1905,
page 30.
The legislature revealed its subser-
viency to the railroad corporations in
the passage of the act sin relation 10
railroads under lease. and saving their
charters and franchises from forfeiture
or impairment in case of failure OF
their lessees to maintain and operate
any portion of their lines" This was
a Shiny and venomous legislative
snake. 1t would have enabled big rail
road corporations to get rid of any
branch or troublesome small railroad
at the trining expense of the cost of
leasing it. Under existing law failure
to operate piece of railroad for two
years works the forfeiture of the fran
chise, and communities damaged by
being deprived of railroad facilities to
which they are entitled could build a
new branch and connect with another
road. But this bill would have given
the big concern power to close up the
smaller road permanently. 1t was pass
ed by the senate finally on March 81,
Sisscn and Stober voting for it. Sen
ate Journal, 1905, page $50. Governor
Ponnypacker vetoed it, Vetoes of the
governor, 1905, page G6.
One of the most absurd bills con-
sidered during the session was one au-
thorizing coroners in counties of pop.
ulation between 100 and 125.OO0 to
| employ stenographers at a Compensa
| tion of $6 a day. Both Sisson and
| Stober voted for it. Senate Journal
| 1905, page 1870. Fortunately it was
vetoed.
Another legislative absurdity was a
| bill providing for the draining of
swampy lands. and both Sisson and
| Stober voted for II. Senate Journal
| 1905 page 1881 In vetoing this pre-.
posterous proposition Governor Pen
nypacler said that owners of swampy
| lands ought TO pay the expenses Of
their own improvements, and that If
| the measure should become a law it
| would clandcstinely bestOw upon the
| owners of the land the right of emf.
nent domain. Vetoes by the governor,
| 1905, page A.
A Ripper In Disguise.
The bill to provide for the employ
ment and support Of the poor in
! Schuylkill county was a sort of rip
| per- in disguise. The obvious purpose
| of it was to legislate out of Office the
| directors of the poor of that county,
| and it only failed of its purpose be-
| cause Governor Pennypacker had a
| lucid interval. Sisson and Stober
| voted for the bill Senate Journal.
| 1905 page S97. Governor Pennypacker
| disapproved il because it deprived the
people of their right to elect their own
| local officers. Vetoes by the governor,
| 1905, page 50.
There were a number of water
snakes wriggling through the legisla-
ture during the session of 1905. The
| machine managers, rich in spoils, had
| come to realize the vast value of wa
! ter powers and were striving to get
| control of all that were available. The
| railroad corporations were also reach
| ing out for control of watersheds and
water supplies.
| Among the bills introduced with this
object in view was one authorizing
| railroad companies to acquire, hold,
| dispose of and guarantee the stocks
| and securities of water companies" In
| the event of water famine this meas
| ure would enable the railroad COM
| panies to supply their locomotives even
if the people of communities famished.
| Sisson and Stober voted to bestow this
| dangerous power on railroads Senate
Journal, 1905, page 1853.
| The bill entitled IAN act to preserve
the purity of the water of the state"
was another serpent. 1t provided that
| consent OF the board of health should
| be obtained before any community or
! company could erect water works. The
iniquity was fought with considerable
energy and was supported at every
stage by Sisson and Stober. On final
passage, however, Sisson lodged the
| roll call, but Stober is recorded as
voting for it. Senate Journal, 1905,
! page 99S.
The gang didn't feel quite secure
with the legislation thus far obtained,
| and Senator McNichOl, the Philadel-
phia politician, introduced a
| bill to create a commission to regu-
late the water supply and control the
| watersheds of the state. This measure
was railroaded through at a high rate
of speed. 1t was read in place" March
Is and passed finally March %, SissOn
and Stober both voting in the afIirma-
tive. Senate Journal, 1905, page 901.
Pet lniquities of the Machine.
The Philadelphia "rippers' were pet
| iniQuities of the machine. John Weay-