Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-04-23
PoGtica i~
Pe~~eqGso~io
By the Ex-Committoeman

Banking Commissioner, announced by
the Governor on Saturday night. is
considered on Capitol Hill as a per-
sonal appointment by the Governor
and more or less factional. The Gov
ernor and the former congressman
are warm personal friends, but the
prediction was freely made that the
appointment would be held UP in the
senate IL sent there before final ad-
journment
Mr.. Lafean was mentioned for Pub
lie Service Commissioner and then for
Secretary of Internal Affairs, but il
is said that opposition from leaders
or the old Progressive faction caused
him to be relegated to the Banking
Commissionership. He is a confec-
tionery manufacturer and identified
with business and industrial concerns
in York. He served as a congress-
man from the York-Adams district
for one term and as a congressman
at-large for one term, being defeated
Tor denomination last year. He was
generally regarded then as pro-
nounced Brumbaugh man. Mr. Lafean
is very well liked personally by men
prominent in State politics and has
many friends on Capitol HILL
Whether the Governor means to fill
the other vacancies soon could not
be learned. There is a supposition
that the Lafean appointment, which
Is Tor a vacancy created when the
Legislature was in session, was put
out to draw the lightning.
Reports that the Vare- Brum-
baugh forces were planning a drive
to secure a close of the session on
May 81 were not well received by
Penrose men to-day. The Penrose
people say that the duration of the
session can be settled very soon by
the Governor sending in his appoint
ments. Resolutions to fix dates for
shutting of bills and for ending the
session Will not be popular for a
while.
Observers of things on Capitol
Hill are waiting for results of the
visit of William Finn to the Cover
nor. Films opposition to Lafean is
credited with causing him to be
scratched in the race for Secretary
of Internal Affairs and the selection
OF some one identified with the old
Progressive organization for that
place is expected. The Public Serv-
ice vacancy is said to be regarded by
the Governor as a personal appoint
ment.
Prominent legislators, including
number of friends of Senator Pen
rose, have entered the lists against
the Whitaker bill for constitutional
convention. They raise the point that
the times are unusual and that the
proposition should be taken up when
the state of affairs is normal. The
bill will be considered in committee
this week.
The proposition for a State sail
ary board is again being revived. 1t
would provide for control of all con-
tingent funds through bureau in the
Auditor Generals department as well
as a board to regulate salaries
which are now designated by the Leg
islature.
Newspapers are calling upon the
legislators and the Governor and the
defense people to unite on a bill for
disbursement of money for public de-
Tense so that it will be available
when needed. Editorials in Philadel-
phia and Pittsburgh newspapers de-
clare that there must be some rea-
son for the stubbornness with which
each side maintains its position.
Pittsburgh and Scranton men
will mobilize tomorrow afternoon at
the hearing to be held on the Lynch
Senate bill to repeal the nonpartisan
clause of the second class city act.
The Pittsburgh people are generally
opposed to making the change, but
the Scranton folks are coming down
to urge the measure. Both cities will
elect mayors this year.
Woman suffrage advocates last
night opened batteries on Senator
Penrose asking why he did not take
aAf In hAh nf Ela
resolution for the constitutional
amendment. The letter given out
quotes the senator's statement and
his friends says that it Is an effort
to shift some of the blame for the
defeat of the resolution in the House.
The suffragists say that they will
be glad to print the senator's reply.
Auditor GeneraT-elect Snyder
was in Philadelphia on Saturday, and
1t is said that he discussed probable
| changes in his department. 1t is be-
lieved that he will act pretty prompt
iy after he takes hold.
"A Pottsville dispatch in the
Philadelphia Inquirer yesterday call
ed attention to the fact that Cover
nor Brumbaugh had not yet filled the
vacancy on the Schuylkill bench
caused by the death of Judge c. N.
Brumm. 1t also said: THUS far
| the coast seems 10 DC CiedT IOT JuuBe
| II. o. Bechtel to receive the renomi-
nation for judge of the court of COM
mon Pleas of this district. Just as
clear seems the way to G. A. White
house for the other nomination for
judge. there being two to be elected
next November. One vacancy on the
first Monday of January next will be
occasioned by the expiration of the
term of Judge Beehtel and the other
is that occasioned by the death OF
Judge c. N. Brumm, of Minersville
on January last. There are names
limited at as possible persons for the
nominations as candidates, but non,
has been positively announced or haI
been determined. The names o
James A. Noecker. Democrat,
former member OF the Legislature
of Schuylkill Haven, and James j
Belf. also a Democrat, of shenan
doah, are bruited about by some o
. their friends as possible candidates.