Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-02-27
Pseitic4 i~
Pe~~oqGSa~io
By the Ex-Committeeman

resolution for the probe" of govern
ment in Pennsylvania seems to have
ended investigation for the present,
anyway. There may be some inquir-
les made by legislative committees un-
der current resolutions, but a state
ment by Senator Sproul. sponsor for
the resolution, seems to indicate that
| there Will be nothing doing of a dras-
| tic character
This is the way the Delaware coun-
~ man summed up the situation after
the veto came in:
1T is to be regretted that the Gov
! ernor did not approve the investigation
! resolution, although | am not sur
prised he didn't, for those influences
which have directed his other actions
and policies have been announcing
right along that he would use his
power to veto it. 1t is another case
of bad advice; the same advice that
has plunged the State Administration
| into every pitfall of mistaken policy
ana absurd politics that could be
found. 1t is unfortunate that the Gov
ernor will not allow the Legislature
| to exercise its function, and its right
of looking into the conditions which
nave been so bitterly criticised, but he
has vetoed the bill, believing that he
can thus prevent an examination of
the official records of the Administra-
ton, and has allowed the whole bur-
| den TO be thrown upon himself.
Ever since the opening of the Leg
lslature every effort and influence
| winch could possibly be mustered into
line has been used to prevent the in
| Nesugation and to defeat any move
ment looking toward it. The same
| tactics of promises of place and favor
that were used in the presidential
| iiasco and in the speakership fight
| have been used against an investiga-
| ton.
| But even though it seems now to
be impossible to secure u thorough
and orderly probe, through a regular
| ly constituted and fully empowered
| commission, the movement has not
| been in vain. There has been a won
derful, improvement in conditions here
in the Capitol, and the State is hun
dreds of thousands of dollars better off
IN actual money, not to speak of better
service and great efficiency in those
departments of the State government
which gave the principal cause for
complaint; nobody is running amuck
around here now, everybody is on the
Job and courtesy, consideration and
attention to business are much more
popular than they were.
This Legislature in its consider
alton OF the appropriation bills and !
departmental measures will show the |
awakened public sentiment which will |
make abuses of power and place much |
more difficult in the future. The /
committees can, and undoubtedly will |
scan things more closely than for
many Il day and f-proclaimed lofty |
conscience and high purposes will |
not be trusted any farther than the
necessities of the case may compel,
when 1t comes to spending the peoples
money.
There is a chastened spirit in evil
dence all around and before the ses-
sion adJourns this gratifying condition
VIII become more and more apparent
to the greater good of the public SER
vice and the people generally.
THE investigation resolution has
been vetoed but its spirit isn't dead;
II has accomplished a great deal for
economy and efficiency, and strangely
enough, has been a real factor in
whatever is being done toward MAX
ing Pennsylvania that sweetest,
cleanest, purest and holiest place"
which we have heard about"
Democratic legislators got cold
feet on the proposition to have the
general assembly adjourn from We'd
nesday until March IL. 1t was all ar
ranged that the Democrats should ask
Tor recess so that they could attend |
the Inauguration, but the people back
home have been heard from and the
Democrats decided to be moderate.
As result the adjournment to allow
the Democrats TO attend the naugur-
alton will run from Wednesday until |
next Tuesday night. That will be
about all the recess and the following
week things will begin to move. The |
general dissatisfaction at the legisla-
tive course has been pretty well eX:
pressed and the lists OF bills to be
passed will be made up and put
through, while attention Will be given
to appropriations. The general belief |
is that the session is going to end in
May. There will not be any fat
pamphlet laws for this year.
The House last night defeated a
resolution put in by Representative n
Atlee Brumbaugh, of Blair, to adjourn /
April 10, but there We're a good many /
votes in favor of it. Mr.. Brumbaugh /
suggested that the Legislature stop
receiving bills on March 20 and quit |
April 10. 1t was defeated, but if q roll |
call had been secured in the House |
there would have been many members |
FOR 1T, according to observers.
Governor Brumbaugh's with
drawal of the nomination of County |
Treasurer Mcconnell, of Mercer, is |
taken to mean that the Governor does !
not consider that such nominations |
have to go to the Senate. There was
some surprise when he sent it in. The |
result will be numerous appointments
of county officers to fill vacancies COM
ing along pretty rapidly.
Allegheny county Legislators got
together last night in the House ap-
propriations room and decided to as
| semblc all legislation presented by AL
legheny county men and have it listed
by March IL, when another meeting
will be held to arrange a program for
its enactment. Representatives Stadt-
lander and McVicar were named as a
committee on the part of the men,
bers of the House, The Senators will
name committee later.
President Pro Tenn. Beidleman
and Speaker Baldwin will be speakers
at the big banquet of magistrates in
Pittsburgh on Thursday.
Senator Charles A. Snyder, of
Pottsville, the original presenter of
"home rule" legislation, looks for
quick and favorable action on the con-
structional amendment. He presented
the first bill on the subject some years
ago.
A nice fight is on over the Read
| ing postmastership. John r Ancona,
friend of Congressman Dewalt, has
decided to be a real live candidate in
| spite of the desire of Postmaster
Seitzinger to be reappointed. There is
nothing but trouble for the reorgani-
Zation bosses ahead.
| -Enoch Rauh, Pittsburgh council
man, will appear before the House
i elections committee on fhe nronoSaI