The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1909-02-03
DOINGS AT THE STATE CAPITAL.

The introduction of the new school
code and of oae of at least two of the
local option bills certain to appear at
this session of the Legislature, were
recent features at Harrisburg, The
real important legislation, most OF
which will contemplate the raising OF
additional revenue for the state, Will
be introduced shortly. The raising OF
revenue is about the most perplexing
problem with which the lawmakers
will hsve TO deal. Not much skill Is
required 10 spend state money, but the
| providing of it without bearing un-
equally or unfairly upon the revenue
raising interests, requires consum-
mate delberation and careful thought.
Representative A. w. Dennison of
Warren county has manifested dis
| position to lead the way in preparing
revenue legislation. Mr.. Dennison is a
| Republican and is said to have mad
considerable experience in such work
| He was at one time a member of tho
| Kansas state senate and Is credited
with having formulated the revenue
| laws of that state. He says he finds
that the burdens of taxation in Penn
sylvania are unequally carried and
| that to equalize those burdens seems
| TO be a work of greater magnitude
than can well be undertaken in the
time allowed by a short session of the
Legislature. And so it is probable that
il the Warren county member goes
about his work in a systematic way
the fruits of his efforts will not be
available before the meeting of the
Legislature two years hence.
There is growing disposition, be-
coming more apparent every day and
in every direction, to devote the reve-
nues of the state exclusively to the
caring of the states charities, the pub
lie schools and the construction of
good roads. Each session of the Leg
islature appropriates vast sums OF
money to hospitals, homes and other
institutions scattered over the state
which are charitable in their nature,
but which are only semi-state institu-
tions and which, in many cases, are
merely fads or fancies which should
be maintained by the communities in
which they are located. 1t seems GER
tain that within very short time the
townships, boroughs and cities in which
hospitals and like institutions are
maintained will find it necessary to
carry on the work without state aid.
The time is coming fast when the
burden of the state so far as charity
is concerned will be confined to in
stitutions that are wholly state insti- |
tutions. II is a fact not generally |
known that practically all the money |
now given by the state to institutions
cassed as charitable is provided by |
taxing the corporations of the state. |
Not infrequently one hears protests |
that the hospitals are being used un-
tions, but that argument is usually ad-
yanced by those who are not familiar
with the raising of the revenues of the
state and the providing of the money
which is appropriated for charitable
and semi-charitable institutions. OF
course, the poor must and will be
cared for at all times, but if signs
count for anything the time is not far
off when the state will shift the bur
den it has been carrying for so many
years and which is ever growing larg-
er and heavier.
Discussing the new school code
VIII ch seems certain of being put in
force by the necessary legislation at
this session DR.. n. C. Schaeffer, state
of public instruction,
says: Politics did not enter into the
deliberations; in fact, It
was recognized by every member that
the new code should take the schools
out of politics. That thought induced
us TO provide for the appointment of
the boards of education in Philadel
phia and Pittsburgh by the judges of
the courts. There were suggestions
that in those cities, as in the other
school districts, the boards of educa-
ton ought to be elective, but expert
ence has shown that when the mana
gers of the schools are elected the re.
suit is politics in school affairs and
this, in turn, has been bad for the
children. Appointment Of the men,
bers of the boards will prevent the
interference of politicians with the
schools. 1t will prevent any assess
ment of teachers and it will tend in |
every way to keep the schools apart |
and allow higher standard"
Dr. Schaeffer said further that II |
was the desire of the commission |
which compiled the code to have :.
discussed as widely as possible before |
passage so that any modifcat' 'ons or
improvements can be made.
Senator ID. S. Walton Of Greene |
county proposes TO promote temper.
ance and sobriety by prohibiting treat
ing. A measure he has introduced
makes it a misdemeanor, punishable
by fine of $25 and possibly 80 days
In jail, for one fellow to ask the other
fellow what he will have. This is
termed as encouraging insobriety and
drunkenness" The bill also prohibits
a minor from entering barroom, sa-
loon, brewery, distillery or other place
where it is known that intoXicat ng
liquors are made or sold, or to even
Ginger about such places" The fine in
thic caCa is aIso SOE or On davS in iail