The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-02-21

other states.
Such were the arguments of the
partisans for and against Mr.. Ul-
erich's bill. When it came to a vote
the bill was beaten by almost two
to one.
Harrisburg, Feb. 19.-Striking il
Illustrations of the fact that the reg
ular Republicans are just as progress
sive as are the representatives of any
of the parties in the Legislature
were given during last week in the
votes in the House on the resolution
approving the income tax amend
ment to the Federal constitution,
and on the four amendments to the
state election laws increasing the
prison penalties for violation. When
the income tax amendment came up
Wednesday not a vote was rendered
against it, and on the election law
changes, which were introduced by
John Robert Jones, Schuylkill
county progressive, only from five to
twenty-five votes were recorded
against them. The gentlemen who
voted in the negative did so simply
because they honestly do not believe
it serves the best interests of justice
to the judge and jury down to a fix
ed minimum sentence. Not one of
them is opposed to rigorous enforce
ment of laws to promote honest cleo
tions.
Another instance tending to show
that the parties can work together
in utmost harmony on genuinely
progressive lines was afforded in
postponing action on bills providing
for a constitutional convention COM
mission in order that they may be
amended so that ideas advocated by
the Democrats, which will insure
minority representation in a con-
stitutional convention, may be in
corporated in them.
Panama-Pacific Exposition Report.
During the week the Panama-Pa-
cific Exposition commission made a
report in compliance with a resolu
ton. The report was voluminous
one, setting forth the expenditures
in detail and showing that but SILL
394 of the $4,000 appropriated has
been spent. 1t was also shown that
the trip of the commission to Cali
fornia was made because of ruling
by the exposition commission at San
Francisco that no property be turn
ed over to the use of any State un-
less a proper representation of such
State be on the ground and parti-
cipate in a proper ceremony"
Budget Will BE Framed at Once.
The House appropriations commit
tee will commence framing the bien-
nal budget for the conduct of the de-
partments of the State government
on Monday, as Saturday was the last
day upon which the departmental es-
Inmates could be made. Practically
every department has sent to Chair
man S. Taylor North a statement of
the amount of money required, and
that there will have to be some
wholesale pruning is regarded as
certain.
The budget is made for two years,
! commencing with the first Monday of
June, and at the last session it car
ried approximately 1872, 900. This
| year it may be larger, owing to in
creased demands from the depart
ments. The Highway Department,
which was cared for in a special ap-
preparation bill, which reorganized
that branch of the government, will
be taken care of in the general ap-
preparation bill.
About 250 appropriation bills fo1
charities and other objects are in
hand, carrying close to $23 100000
There are generally about 600 appro
priation bills during the session.
The general bill will be reported
to the House early in March ant
Chairman North hopes to have it Sc
advanced that but little time will bt
lost. The Senate appropriations
committee will work with the House
committee on this measure