The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-03-16
HARRISBURG LETTER.

4
Snyder last week by his many friends
on the Hill, when it became known
that the Supreme Court had affirmed
the decision of the Dauphin County
Court, and that the sentence imposed
by Judge Kunkel on Mr.. Snyder and
Mr. Shumaker should be carried into
effect. There are many who believe
that General Snyder never profted
by one cent in the construction or
furnishing of the new Capitol, and
many others go further, believing
that he was not a party to any con-
spiracy to defraud the State and
knew nothing of it. However, the
final decision has been given and the
sentence is effective.
On the same day that the Supreme
Court handed down its opinion in the
criminal cases, Attorney General
Todd began civil proceedings against
the original defendants in the Capt.
tol cases, including their predeces-
sors, bondsmen and others connected
with the building, finishing or fur
nishing of the Capitol with a view
OF compelling a return of a portion
of the money expended. The amount
named in the suit is something over
five millions dollars. Administra-
tors and executors of the estates of
those connected with the building of
the Capitol, now deceased, are a,so
named in the bill as defendants. It
is not known when this case will be
reached for trial, but the defendants
are required to file an answer within
thirty days after service. As the
trial of Architect Huston is set for
March 81, and will probably last two
weeks, the equity case may not come
on for several weeks later. The ad-
verse decision of the Supreme Court
in the appeal of Messrs. Snyder and
Shumaker will not carry much en-
couragement to Mr.. Huston. In fact
the attorneys for the commonwealth
believe that his conviction is almost
certain, and that he cannot put up
as strong a defense as the other Off
cials. He has secured several able
lawyers to defend him.
1t will be remembered that Gov.
Stuart promised, during his cam
paign for election, that the Capitol
matter should be thoroughly probed,
If he should be chosen Governor, and
the guilty persons punished. The
Governor is trying to keep his word
to the people.
Looking aroupd us, one cannot
help but notice that our neighbors
over in New York are having a few
troubles of their own at Albany, and
the whole nation is watching the
Ballinger-Pinchot controversy at
Washington. 1t is difficult to fore
cast the outcome, but we can size up
one prominent feature in all these
troubles. The Republican party is
big enough and strong enough to
right any wrongs that exist, either in
its own party, or any other, and
seems determined to give the people
a good government. And this is
why it can appeal so successfully to
the people for votes for it's policies
and candidates.
The question of who will be State
Treasurer after May 2nd is not max
ing rapid progress at present. Mr.
suit in advance, and it is probable
that no legal proceedings can be
begun until his present term of Of
fee expires. II is believed that Gov.
Stuart will name a person for the
office, who will be commissioned,
bonded and qualified for the Office
Should Mr.. Sheath refuse to deliver
the office to his appointee, a writ of
quo warranto will be asked for, the
case going directly to the Supreme
Court, and a decision promp "
reached. II is understood that ?
present Treasurer will not hesita e
to transfer his position to any Off
cial whose qualifications have been
passed upon by the Supreme Court
Newspaper reports of the street
car strike in Philadelphia have been
very much exaggerated, and it is
somewhat difficult to Judge as to
whether the sympathy strike is a
success or not, from any standpoint
Thousands of laborers have quit
work, but more are paying no atten-
tion to suggestions or requests to
abandon their positions. Probably
most of these latter are non-union
laborers. In the central part of the
city conditions are as peaceful and
quiet as usual. though disturbances
are frequent in the factory section,
Kensington and Frankford What
ever the outcome, the loss to the
Quaker City is no inconsiderable |
item. Bills for damages to property. |
expenses of various kinds, to say
nothing of the lawlessness, discon- /
tent, riotous spirit and anarchy, fol- |
lowing in the wake of every strike. !
all combine to raise the question:
DO strikes pay? They certainly are
not beneficial to any community, and |
many able labor leaders discourage |
and defeat strikes as an effective |
weapon to the very last. The out
come OF this one will be, carefully |
watched. N e. HAUSE.