The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-01-14
HARRISBURG LETTER.
January II, 1910.

by the news of the sudden death of
Hon. J. A. Stober, State Treasurer
elect, who was found dead in bed at
his home in Lancaster Mr.. Stober
had not been feeling well during the
past few weeks, but his indisposition
was so slight that the regular SER
vices of a physician were not deemed
necessary. The cause of death was
heart disease. Mr.. Stober was near
ly seventy years of age and had spent
practically all his life in Lancaster
county, where he was very popular
He had served for many years as a
Justice of the Peace, as a member of
the Republican County Committee,
had been a member of the House,
and recently finished a term in the
Senate. Last fall he was elected
State Treasurer over Geo. w. Kipp,
and was looking forward with pleas
urable anticipation to three years
service in the State Treasury.
Naturally, the question of success
sion was very much discussed, and
no one seemed able to determine
definitely who would be State Treas
urer after the first Monday of May
next, when the term of the present
incumbent expires. Mr.. Sheath holds
that he is commissioned for two
years, or until his successor shall be
duly qualified, and that his legal sue
cessor cannot qualify because of his
death prior to May /, 1910. The
Governor can appoint only when a
vacancy occurs and unless Mr.. Sheath
gives up the Office in May, there may
be no vacancy. Should Mr.. Sheath
succeed in staying one year beyond
the term for which he was elected,
he may stay several more, for the
new Constitutional Amendments pro-
vide for no election for State Treas
urer between 1909 and 1912. The
Treasurer-elect was supposed to
serve three years and his successor
was to be chosen in 1912, and every
four years thereafter, at a general
election. No provision was made,
under either the old law or the new
for a special election for this office.
To allow Mr. Sheath to serve out
Mr.. Stober's term would be directly
in opposition to the provision of the
Constitution, before amendment was
made, as well as afterward, which
makes the State Treasurer ineligible
to succeed himself There is no spec
ial haste in the matter, as Mr..
Sheatz's term does not expire until
May, and by that time some way out
of the difficulty may be found, but at
the present time there's good bit
of guessing going on.
Governor Stuart appointed II. A.
Davis, Esq, of Philadelphia, to sue
ceed Judge Won Moschzisker, who
took his place with the Supreme
Court judges last week. The death
of Judge Martin Bell, of Blair coun-
ty, makes another vacancy to fill.
The Governor exercises unusual care
in his selections for the Bench and
his appointments always give salts
faction.
Harrisburg is enjoying something
rather unusual-good sleighing.
There is a splendid foundation of ice
which the wagons do not seem to dis
turb though there is comparatively
little snow.
Arguments were heard yesterday
by the Supreme Court in Philadel-
phia, in behalf of ex-Auditor General
Snyder and ex-Superintendent of
Public Grounds and Buildings, j. NJ.
Shumaker. 1t will probably be some
time before any decision is handed
down. Meanwhile the defendants
are out on bail The attorneys for
the defense hope to secure a new
trial. Next week the trial of Joseph
NJ. Huston, the Capitol architect,
will be begun in the Dauphin County
Court.
Forester Pinchot has probably con-
cluded by this time that he is not as
big man as Uncle Bill. Pinchot's
ability was not questioned, but his
lack of loyalty and fidelity to the
put him out of COM
mission. The administration could
have done nothing less.
N. e. HAUSE.