The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-12-07
LEGISLATURES
TAKING IT EASY
Not Much Done During First
Six Weeks Of Session
bNLy TRIVIAL BILLS PASSED

Only TRIVIAL BILLS PASSED
Regulars, II Is Sad, Are Sadly in Need
Of Leader, While Insurgents Have
uperabundance-No Real Effort as
Yet to Test Sentiment on an Issue
on Which Party Lines Are Drawn.
BY ROBERT HAIGHT.
Harrisburg Pa.-After vainly trying
o convince Governor Tener that th7
legislature should have a recess for
week or ten days, the leaders OF the
general assembly, or at least that part
bf it having guidance over the ma
ority, have settled down to put in the
line between now and the ersa Wsek
n March as best they can uitsout
ioing anything of any importAAaD.
To the old observers of the legis
i've routine, two things are plainly
apparent in this session AMI these are
ack of any comprehensive leadership
hmong the dominant wing and sl-
berabundance among the insurgent or
minority branch.
The first six weeks of the session
have now passed into history and be-
kond the passage of bill providing
tor the salaries of the members ami
few other trivial measures not
worth mentioning, nothing has been
hone.
No real effort has been made to
bring out a true test of sentiment on
In issue on which the party lines are
irawn. The nearest approach prob
hbly to this so far has been on the
resolution calling upon the attorney
keneral to furnish the legislature with
b list of the contributors to the fund
which was paid into the state treas
ufy in settlement of the srit
against the alleged capitol looters. On
Ehis question number of known regu-
lars deserted their side and voted
favorably on the proposition, so even
This left the leaders up in the air and
ft Is likely that the vote OH the motion
10 place upon the calendar the reso!u-
zion calling on the United States sena-
tors from this state to vote favorably
on the bill now before congress pro
Eiding for the election Of senAtors ov
b direct vote of the peo"ls fs more
prophetic of the real sentiment Of the
house. On this question seventy
Beven members voted against the
wishes of the Republican whips and
by many this Is regarded as serving
notice that this bunch will hang to-
kether on nearly all party issues dur
Ing the session, and should this prove
10 be the case it means that the rega
lars will have to exercise care to see
that all their members are constantly
IN their seats on all roll calls.
The insurgents are meeting almost
naily for consultation and thay have
banned steering committees to
thoroughly sift the, different measur IS
before the legislature and map out
plans Of action when they are called
up for consideration.
Novel Scheme. For Counties.
With q view of securing concerted
hction In the several counties of the
state Representative Boyd of West
|moreland county has presented bill
which provides that in future it shall
be the duty of the clerk of the court
|of quarter sessions OF the several
counties of the commonwealth to call
together annually all the burgesscs,
councilmen and borough solicitors OF
the county for the consideration and
discussion of questions pertaining to
borough administration. After or
ganizing, it shall be the duty of the
secretary to gather statistics for the
cost Of paving, sewering, lighting,
street improvements and general
borough expenses. The secretary is
to be paid salary for his services
from fund created by dues on the
different boroughs and those attend.
ing the convention are also to be al
lowed expenses at the rate of 81 per
diem and mileage out OF the same
fund. The father OF the bill is of the
opinion that the savings to boroughs
Tor public improvements will prove 80
beneficial that the expenses will be
money well spent.
Use of Water Power.
The old plan of using the waters Of
the SusQuehanna river for supplying
power has again made its appearance
IN the house. 1t will be remembered
hat similar proposition was launched /
n the SESSION of 1907 and the sensa-
tional effort of the then speaker,
Frank McClain of Lancaster, to force
It through and which is believed to
nave put him in bad order with tho
eaders and prevented his reelection
ls speaker in the 1909 session created
at the time. This time
he bills emanate from Representative
Mills Of Bradford county and the first
provides that electric light, heat and
,ower companies shall have the power