The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-02-12
HARRISBURG LETTER.

FEB. 8th.-The first bill which reach
ed the Governor and to receive his sig
nature was that providing for the ex-
penses of the Legislature, salaries of
members and employees. The prompt
passage was made necessary by the at
titude of the State Treasurer, who hesi-
tated to advance money without the
appropriation.
A bill has been introduced appropriat-
ing 800, 900 for the use of the State Live
Stock Sanitary Board in suppressing
epidemics among cattle, particularly
the foot and mouth disease. The trouble
is past now, but the State purposes to
be better prepared for the next out
break, for this is costly matter. The
Pennsylvania R. R. company paid out
$4,000 for cleaning and fumigating
cattle cars during the recent trouble.
Notwithstanding the number and
backing of the bills before the Legisla-
ture whose purpose is to provide pen
sions for soldiers and sailors, it is gen.
orally believed that this session will not
see a pension bill go to the Governor.
Mr.. Stuart has given the. Legislature to
understand that the responsibility for
such measure is upon it, although he
might treat such bill in a different way
from what he did in 1907. Charities,
forest lands, roads and bridges seem to
have the call this year.
1t seems to be definitely settled that
the bill introduced by Representative
Kiess of Lycoming, providing for the re-
peal of the law imposing mercantile
license tax will fail of passage. Organ
izations have been formed and consid-
erable money has been taken from
merchants all over the State, presum-
ably for the purpose of pushing the bill
through, but actually to line the pockets
of few fellows who gulled the merch-
ants. It is said that so-caled news
paper man, who is engaged in fur nish-
ing material from the Capitol for boil
er-plate association, has good slice of
the fund. By means of these syn dicate
letters, mass of falsehood has been
spread over the state, the particular point
being emphasized that it cost the State
all it received to collect the tax. In a
resolution of inquiry the Legislature di-
rected the Auditor Gen'l to furnish some
information as to cost of collection,
covering the past two years. In state
ment of facts which could not be con-
troverted he showed that last year the
average cost to the State was ten and
six-tenths per cent. and for the previous
year it was eleven per cent. Further,
practically all the expense was incurred
in the county where the tax was collect
ed, made up of advertising, fees OF
mercantile appraiser, mileage, postage,
etc. 1t will be up to some people pretty
soon to show what has been done with
the "sinews of war"
The high standing of the commission
that framed the act to reorganize the
school system of the State ought to
commend the bill favorably. No law
on the books pleases everybody, but al
must be accepted in spirit of compro.
mise. When one considers the time and
thought spent on the preparation of thil
bill, the statutes examined, decisions oi
Courts gone over, hearings held anG
suggestions and ideas worked out, the
conclusion is inevitable that the result
of this labor, at the hands of this body
is the best that could be hoped for. NJ
changes should be made without con,
sulting the commission.
Representative Marvin has offered q
bill asking $500 toward the expense of {
commission to investigate the question
of making free all the toll bridges on the
Delaware. This is carrying out a plar
formulated by Mr.. Farley, of Wayne
county.
Knowing ones say that while the bill
providing for local option will have
fair show, and will be reported out o
committee, that there is little probabil.
ity OF any local option bill getting a
far as the Governor this year. Friends
OF local option are putting up figh
nevertheless, and some strong members
are talking and working for it,
N. f. HAUsE.