The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1909-10-14

SnOtneTeq McTiLCIlOu5 LeglSldNlOn IN
Committee, podeed Votes on Good
Measures and Supported Bad Bills
Always.
The session of the legislature in
1906 was a ghastly Joke. The work of
the session Of 1905 had so outraged the
public conscience that the Republican
ticket was defeated at the ensuing
election by an overwhelming majority,
and Governor Peunypackcr called the
extra session of 1906 to save the
face" of the machine. It's principal
work was destructive That is to say
its main purpose was to repeal the
vicious legislation of the previous
regular session. and A. r. Sisson and
]. A. Stober, blushingly or uublush-
ingly, stultitied themselves by voting
for the repeal of a dozen bills for
which less than a year before they had
rooted" vigorously.
There were a few reformatory bills
passed during this brief extra session,
but Sisson and Stober in every in
stance voted to limit the merits of
such measures to the minimum. In
half a dozen previous sessions they
had voted against a uniform primary
election law, but under the spur of
CONSERVATION they voted for the apol-
ogy which is now on the statute book.
It is not all bad, of course, and can
l4r l. ~
it is an Improvement on the primary
system that prevailed previously. But
a really meritorious law might have
been enacted If it had not been for
the opposition to any substantial re-
forms by the Republican machine, in
which sinister purpose Sisson and Sto-
ber invariably participated. Probably
the best result of the session of 1906
was that it retired J. A. Stober from
legislation service.
The Session of 1907
The session of 1907 opened with the
machine in a state of uncertainty The
result of the election of 1906 was a
sort of rescue from ruin. as unexpect-
ed as it was undeserved. The machine
managers were as avaricious for spoils
As ever, but still under the shadow of
ibject fear. They invoked cunning,
however, to mask their operations and
conceal their tricks in committee. The
Two committees in which most of the
Vicious legislation is considered are
hose on corporations and railroads.
Sisson was chairman of the committee
m railroads during the session of 1907
Ind third man on the committee on
corporations. The first four men on a
committee practically control its pro-
Heedings. In the session of 1907 the
irst four names on the committee on
corporations were Sproul Scott, Sisson
md Stineman, in the order named. The
lrst four names on the committee on
'ailroads were Sisson, Scott, Sproul
nd Stineman. Another committee
which the machine is always anxious
o keep tractable is that of judiciary
yeneral Mr.. Sisson had second place
n that committee and Scott third.
Ant[Corporation Bills Smothered.
Most of the bills which were antag.
>nistic to corporation interests were
mothered in committee. Among these
Tere bills requiring passenger cars to
ie kept in sanitary condition, the
lual distribution of cars to coal mines
nd the act to regulate the rate for
transportation of freight and passen-
"ers on railroads. The act defining
lie liability of railroads to employees,
lat providing penalties for giving or
'sceiving free transportation and that
uthorizing courts to fix maximum pas
enger rates for railroads, were stifed
! committee. 1t is reasonably certain
lat Sisson was responsible for all this
iscarriage of just legislation. Senator
lewitt's bill to repeal the act Great
the state constabulary and Senator
'ewalts bill fixing liability of employ
IS in actions for damages for injury
death of employees, were smothered
the committee on judiciary general.
Is fair to presume that he had some
ling to do with the sitting of those
leasures.
Senator Sisson fairly earned the IT,
of "Artful Dodger" during the ses.
on of 1907 1t was impossible to
life in committee all measures which
ere opposed by the corporations. He
1dged the vote on the bill to pro-
bit the maintenance of bucket shops.
Senate Journal, 1907, page 272S). He
9dged the vote on the bill to provide
r the health end safety of persons
lployed in and about anthracite coal
. ines. (Senate Journal, 1907, page
's2). He lodged the vote on the bill
roviding that no railroad corporation
2all acquire, purchase or guarantee
le stock, bonds or other securities of,
? lease or purchase the franchise of.
in any way control any street pas
niger railway corporation having con
ol of a parallel or competing line.
Senate Journal, 1907, page 1GS1). This
'easure was simply carrying out the
rovlsions Of the constitution and was
ade necessary by the fact that Ger.