The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-04-30
HARRISBURG LETTER.

made in former letter of the fact
that the recent Legislature passed
no acts providing for any new reve-
nue., although it found quite a num-
Der of such bills before it. Besides
avoiding any increase in the reve-
nue. acts 1t is shown that the Legis-
lature appropriated far more money
than the State has in sight, more
than was at first supposed. The
first figures given out showed about
$62,000,000 appropriated, but the
real figures are nearer $67,00O,00O,
with less than $45,OO0,OOO to pay
with.
No little excitement was caused
by an alleged remark on the part
of the Governor that it might be
necessary to call an extra session of
the Legislature for the purpose of
putting through some revenue meas
ures, to keep even with the appro-
priations. The other alternative is
for the Governor to cut the appro-
priations and this is probably what
will be done, although his Excel
lency is not at all pleased with the
task he has in hand. The Legislature
is practically compelling the Governor
to do what it should have done, and
what it was assembled for. In his
message to that body at the Begin
ming of the session, he pointed out
very clearly what, in his opinion,
was the proper course, showing how
much revenue could be secured and
how much money should be appro-
priated.
After being in session over three
months, and getting less than a
hundred bills to the Governor dur
him with a mass of about 700 bills
of all kinds, which he must dispose
of IN thirty days. He must work
unusually hard during that time, be-
sides, hearing a lot of arguments, pro
and con, on the various measures
before him. The Governor will
hail with delight the last day of his
term, but he is onto his job while
that term lasts.
Among the bills recently signed
are the following: Providing for an
Executive controller in the Execu-
tive Department at a salary of $3,-
900 per annum This officer will
relieve the Governor of a lot of de-
tail work in the way of examining
vouchers, etc. Heretofore the
Chief Executive has been burdened
with a lot of tasks properly belong
ing to a clerk, but which the law
imposed on him.
Providing that county commits
sioners may appropriate money to
law libraries when necessary for
support.
Authorizing the Commission to
erect the Homeopathic State Hospi-
tai at Allentown to sell portions of
it's land and purchase others. O..
Authorizing the combining, con-
solidating and entering single
judgment on a scire facias to re-
vive and continue the lien in GER
tain cases.
Authorizing the Department . of
Forestry to grow and distribute
young forest trees to those who will
take care of them.
Providing for the depositing of
money in lieu of surety of bonds
now required in certain civil cases.
Authorizing a State Fish Hatch
cry on Presque Isle peninsula.
Imposing penalty of $500 for
using the word trust" as part of
the name of any corporation except
such as are under the supervision
of the Commissioner of Banking.
Providing that the proposed Con-
stitutional amendments adopted by
the Legislatures of 1907 and 1909
be submitted to vote of the people
at the general election next Novem-
ber.
Abolishing the Legislative Record.
Hereafter the Record and the
House and Senate Journals will be
consolidated, the publication to be
known as the Legislative Journal.
1t will be printed under the super
vision of the Supt. of Public Print
ing and Binding, the copy to be fur
nished by the chief clerks of the |
two houses.
Prescribing stricter methods of
partmental appropriations in the
state government.
Providing for the use of borough |
and township lock-ups and city |
prisons for the detention of persons
arrested by sheriffs, constables, State
Police or other officers.
Authorizing the State Health
Commissioner to assign an Office
employe to approve vouchers.
Providing that the offices of JUS
tice of the peace and notary public
shall not be incompatible.
Requiring all petitions laying out
or vacating public roads to fix def
nitely the points of beginning and
ending and requiring certification
of the report of jury of view to
the State Highway Department.
Fixing fees of constables.
Providing that soldiers, sailors or
marines of the war with Spain or