The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-03-04
HARRISBURG LETTER

Indications of an amicable arrange
ment being reached between the sup
porters of the Philadelphia Municipal
Court bill and the bill giving each of
the Common Pleas Courts in Phila-
delphia an additional judge were evil
dent Thursday when amendments
were made to the Municipal Court
bill to meet objections of opponents
of that measure. 1t would appear
that a working agreement will be en-
tered into by which both measures
will pass.
Governor Tener gave encourage
ment to some advocates of the NUM-
cipal Court bill when they called up
on him short time ago and many
are of the opinion that if the two
bills go through he will sign them
both.
A fight between the champions of
these measures would probably re-
suit in their being side-tracked for
this session of the Legislature at
least.
Judges Salaries Reduced.
When the Municipal Court bill
came up in the House it was amend
ed so that all jurisdiction over di-
vorce cases was eliminated and the
salaries of the judges were all reduc-
ed. The president judges salary
was cut from $500 a year to &c.
500, and the other judges compen-
sation was reduced from $4,000 a
year to $4,000 year each.
The five Common Pleas Court
Judges bill has passed the Senate and
will come before the House shortly.
The friends of the Municipal Court
bill want that measure put through
the House before action shall be TAX
en- upon the Common Pleas Court
Judges bill.
The Philadelphia Senators who
supported the bill for the five judges
are expected to aid in the passage of
the Municipal Court bill with the un-
derstanding, that the Independent
members of the House, who have
been displaying most interest in the
Municipal Court bill, will cooperate
in providing for the five additional
Common Pleas Court judges.
1t is unlikely that the Municipal
Court bill will be held in committee
in the Senate until the temper of the
House shall be shown toward the five
new Common Pleas Court Judges
! bill.
Action was postponed in the House
upon the two bills calling for a con-
! stitutiOnal convention and providing
for the election of delegates thereto.
| Friends of the proposition were not
| prepared to have vote on either OF
the bills, and they asked that both be
passed for the present.
! in1Inp WIN in
! force and went away happy over the
defeat of the Rockwell bills, are an
noyed over the fact that they are
unable to learn definitely when the
| Steele amendment to the Constitu-
ton, calling for Statewide prohibi-
| tion of the liquor traffic, will be call
ed up.
There is talk of a new local option
bill to be introduced in the Senate
but from the size of the vote in the
House 121 to SO against local option
it is hardly probable that a new bill
would be given serious attention.
Routine Business.
The general appropriation bill
carrying $42,662,34369 was intro
duced into the House by Mr.. North
Jefferson, chairman of the appropri-
alton committee. The bill was intro,
duced earlier than known in years
and was ordered printed for informa-
ton of members. 1t will be recon-
mitted for changes. When the bill
was read Speaker Alter called atten-
tion to the fact so that members
could study the measure.
The report of the conference COM
mittee on the resolution providing
for transportation of veterans to the
battlefield of Gettysburg during the
celebration of the semi-centennial
next July was agreed to. 1t now
provides that men who enlisted from
Pennsylvania or veterans who are
| now living in fhia Gfafa ahall he