Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-05-18
PeGtica t~
Pe~~o4eS0~i~
BY the Ex-Committeeman

Failure of some of the best ad-
vertised Democratic leaders to ap-
pear here this week to urge the
Legislature to act favorably upon
the Democratic platform Legislation
is being much discussed about the
Capitol and pointed to as indicating
that the Democratic ringmasters
themselves do not take their own
propositions seriously. The Demo-
cratic members did not all attend
the hearings and have not been very
busy in getting the bills reported
out.
The whole Democratic campaign
/ this session has been puzzling. Time
and again chances to do things were
passed up and 1t has been apparent
that a division exists which is liable
| to lead to n row at any time. Some
| of the most influential Democratic
legislators did not even go around
to hear United States District At
torney e. Lowry Humes make
speeches in behalf of the Democratic
bills and the fact that Roland S.
Morris withdrew at the end of the
first day and allowed Humes to bear
lll6 buIuSh VI inc DlS DlllS HAS aI-
tracted comment.
The Democratic legislation Is de-
cidedly shop worn in any event, hav-
Ing been out since 1913 and the lack
of interest demonstrates that 1t is
only intended for political thunder
William H. Connell, chief of
the bureau of highways in Phila-
delphia, resigned yesterday because
hn lsn ole
and be free from politics. Connell is
one of the ablest men in the Phila-
delphia city government and has not
had bed of roses.
The failure of the House to act
on the appropriation bills yesterday
has made O number of legislators |
tired and there are indications that !
manded of the printing authorities.
Members of the House of Rep
resentatives who have been shout
ing for action and going home on
may be given a chance
TO display their eagerness for work
next week. There is talk of three
sessions day to get bills passed
and even of holding a Friday ses-
sion. The appropriation bills will
be given right of way and then the
biennial scramble to get bills on the
calendars will start.
Bets were being made at the
Capitol to-day that the Legislature
would take q recess the latter part
Of this month and reconvene June
and then stay here until July.
State administration leaders in
the Legislature are doing their best
10 get the June IA closing up date
adopted in the Senate. but there is
little chance of it being done.
In spite of a great deal being
printed nowadays about third-class
city legislation there does not seem
% be as great a stir over the bills
in the Legislature as re- .
ported. In general, sentiment among
legislators is against the nonpartisan
system of electing councilmen and
f the bill to repeal the nonpartisani
feature of the second-class city law
goes through next week in the I
House there will be a renewed ef-
fort to strike it from the third-class
,ity law.
Mayor Smith and Councilman
Bailey, of Philadelphia New Years
Day fame, had an interchange yes
-erday at a meeting of the Inde-
oendence Day celebration. The
Mayor said that the councilman was
largely occupied in handing out
hot air."
The appointment of a judge for
ochuylkill county to succeed the late
Judge C. n. Brum is said to be
scheduled for late this month. Gov I
ernor Brumbaugh has declined to
discuss the matter.
The new Lehigh judgeship bill
Will be in the Senate next week. Pre-
lictions that it would pass were
being heard to-day.
The Philadelphia Ledger to-day
predicts more guerilla warfare. 1t
says: Another fight in the House
between the McNichol and the Ware
it is said, looms up as the
result of the affirmative reporting
oy the judiciary General Commit
zee of the Heffernan bill to make it
almost impossible for any employe
Of the Department of Public Safety
N Philadelphia to do anything more
Of political nature than mark his
eWn ballot, as speedily as it reason
ably can be DONE on election day.
The BILL backed by the McNichol
wing, aims to nullify the political in
fuence of the nearly 1000 police
men, firemen and other employees of
this department, now controlled by
the Ware forces. Under its provi-
Sions it will be unlawful for any
such employees to be within fifty
feet of a polling place on election
day, except to mark his ballot. He
IS specifically forbidden to attend
any political conventions; to serve
as member of any political COM
mittee or organization, or attend
their meetings; to take any active
part in political campaigns; to can
Vass precincts; to influence voters
Or to Interfere with the conduct of
elections in any way. 1t was passed
on first reading to-day and should
reach the debating stage next week.
AS originally introduced it made
violators liable to a fine and i'm
of five years"
He Was Far-Sighted
An ambitious colored man had
uiiit Lie. al 1. |