Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-05-12
OF THE LEGISLATURE
CHARTER BILLS
WILL BE HELD
Governor Says HeWants Time
to Consider Them; Pen
rose Not Coming Here

Chances for the Legislature dis
posing of the Philadelphia charter
bills this month were dimmed to-
day when word was passed around
among the legislators that there
would be no action in the municlpal
affairs committee on the bills TINS
week and that plans for next week
were uncertain. United States SEN
ator Boies Penrose, who had planned
to come here last night, canceled
his hotel reservations and will not
be here the rest of the session be-
cause of his Congressional duties
Governor William c. Sproul let 1t be
known that his engagements for TINS
week concerned the vital problem
of revenue and that he would meet
with educators wednesday in re-
gard to legislation affecting the re-
organization of the school system.
AS he will go to Philadelphia We'd
nesday afternoon and review the
Twenty Eighth Division on Thurs
day, there will be no opportunity for
him to decide on any changes.
The charter revision people have
announced that they intend to put
in an amendment for nonparusan
electios of councilmen, while the
Governor is said to be uncertain
about the size of the council. Any
effort to put in the nonpartisan sys-
tenn will lead to interesting events,
1T is predicted here. The Ware peo-
pie will naturally fight 1t and there
will be a rising of the opponents or
the system in other cities, notably
in Pittsburgh and Scranton.
Effect of the delay in the bills
will be to prolong the session. There
was talk of June Z or Is when the
Legislature adjourned last week,
but now there is a possibility or a
later date with the chance that the
end of the appropriation year may
come with the general appropriation
bill. to conduct the government still
in the Legislature and the various
departments running on tick"
Governor Sproul is opposed to
nonpartisan law but does not be-
lieve this is an opportune time to in
sist upon their repeal. Tne Pnila-
delphia move is likely to force lead
ers into an open definite position.
If the Governor would agree, bills
repeating all nonpartisan laws
would be passed by the Legislature.
At the time a proposition was un-
der discussion to repeal the nonpar-
tisan law applying to second-class
cities, Pittsburgh and Scranton,
Governor Sproul checked 1t by de-
claring his opposition to such legis-
lation at this time. Nevertheless the
Governor was emphatic in asserting
that all such laws should be elm
mated.
At the same time, leaders, influ-
entail in the Legislature. believe the
nonpartisan laws should be repeal
ed. When votes were needed to put
through the House the Wilson bill
repeating the nonpartisan law apply
ing to third class cities, these lead
ers gave substantial aid. The bill
will come up for final passage in the
Senate and no doubt it will pass by
a good majority. 1t will then be up
to Governor Sproul. 1t is under
stood executive action will be gov
erned largely by how representatives
of third-class cities vote on the meas
ure. 1t has been the contention of
Republican leaders that the third
class city representatives should be
permitted to settle the question