The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-05
Biennial Session of the
Legislature Starts at
Noon on Lines Prear.
ranged in Caucus
TENER'S FINAL
MESSAGE READ
Chiefly Reviews the States Affairs in
Last Two Years-Committees Sc
lected for Distribution of Plums-
Job-Seekers Are Here in Numbers

The Pennsylvania Legislature began
its biennial session to-day under entire
]y different auspices from those that
characterized the one that held the
boards two years ago and held high ear
nival for six months. When the 1913
session opened, it was a question as to
who would be the presiding officers IN
both Senate and House, the member
ship of both branches being so split
up that it was hard to tell which party
held the control. When the tangle was
Strengthened out there was much con-
fusion over the selection of the minor
officers of the House, creating bitter
ness that prevailed during the entire
session, notwithstanding the efficiency
of the men selected to look after the
routine work.
To-day it was all very different. AS
one of the caucus orators said last night
"The Republican party in Pennsylva-
MIA has again come into its own. that
was very evident from the manner in
which things were conducted, on
methodical system. The caucuses hav-
ing settled everything. it only remained
for both branches-that is the major
itv in each of them-to carry out the
caucus behest, and it was done without
{; hitch.
Both branches were organized at
DON, the new legislators taking the
oath of Office after the returns am
nouneing tneie election were read at
the clerk s desk, and committees were
appointed to notify the Governor and
= -. H.,
ready for business. Committees also
were created to open and compute the
vote east for State officers at the last
election, joint session being held in
the hall of the House for that purpose.
Governors Message Read
4 number of communications were
received from Governor Tener, for the
greater part appointments made dur
ing the recess, reports of commissions
referred TO him for transmission to the
Legislature, and most important of all,
the biennial gubernatorial message,
which was received and read in both
houses.
The message in full will be found on
page II, of the Star-Independent to-
day. II is chiefly a review of what
has occurred in administ ration circles
during the recess. Both Houses passed
a resolution providing for adjournment
from to-day until the evening of Mon
day, January IS, and in the meantime
committee to arrange for the in
auguration of DIR. Brumbaugh as Gov
ernor, with Senator Beidleman at the
head. will be busily engaged with that
work.
The fact that the Republican party
was dominant in both branches drew to
the Capitol many Republicans from all
parts of the State, among them many
who have for some time been strangers
TO Harrisburg and legislative halls.
Many interested in legislation to be
presented also were here to size up the
situation, among them the advocates of
local option, workingmen compensa-
tion and child labor bills. and those
either opposed to such measures or else
favorinS them in such modified form as
will not hurt their vested interests.
The Distribution of Plums
The slate committees of both branches
appointed to apportion the legislative
appointments, viii both meet as soon
as possible and consider all applications
made from legislators who desire to
land constituents in fat places for the
session.
In The House there are 102 positions
that will be divided among 164 Re-
publicans and Chairman Woodward. of
the House slate committee, said to-day
that he believed his committee is going
to have very difficult time in en-
deavoring to satisfy everybody.
The Senate slate committee, headed
by Senator Crow, of Fayette, who is
also chairman of the Republican State
committee, will have much easier
task, as the number of appointments is
such that every one of the Republican
Senators is assured of at least one place
for constituent and some NAV get
two or three.