Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-06-26
1879 LEGISLATURE
IS GREATEST EVER
Mccain Says Most Revolution
ary Legislation in History Was
Effected in Session
THIS CITY STORM CENTER
BY GEORGE NOx MCCAIN
STAR Correspondent of the Evening Public
Ledger


STAFF Correspondent Of the Evening Public
Ledger.
Harrisburg. June 26.-The Icgisla-
ture which closed its session at noon
today was the most revolutionary that
ever met at the Capitol.
1t was revolutionary in the sense that
by its DEGREES it has altered the entire
future of the commonwealth from a
moral, economic and political view
point.
The results of its decisions are more
far reaching than those of any similar
assembly held in the history of the
state since its foundation.
This would be true if only two Of its
achievements were considered. viz: The
ratification of the national constitution
amendments on prohibition and woman 3
suffrage.
On the threshold Of this new era
which it has opened it is impossible to
anticipate or to predict the ultimate
outcome.
Puts State In Foreground
In many ways the Legislature Of 1910
has moved in harmony with the ad-
vanced thought Of an advancing civili-
zation. BY its acts it has placed
PENNSYLVANIA in the forefront of n
new. untried and swiftly moving world
movement.
In the aggregate. its performances
present record that is far above the
average of many Of its predecessors.
sneak with reference to its achievements
as whole.
There were factonal differences. bit
ter and 'uncompromising. Not all Of
the remedial legislation enacted can he
credited to the highest motives. There
is an abundance Of opportunity for
criticism. but it is results in their en-
tirety that count.
So much for the state.
For Philadelphia its decisions have
been equally potential. It has placed
the third municipality of the United
States in the front rank of cities that
are seeking higher ideals and n freer
and more perfect expression of the
peoplc's will. In the new charter it
. has placed a powerful weapon in the
hands of citizens.
a"po''hht
Next in Importance to the Wood
ward charter bill was the enactment
of the Daix Brady election bills. They
will purify the political atmosphere
of the city. They will act as a disin-
. fectant on existing political disorders
Much that was Objectionable, sordid
3 and at times brutal in the city's system
of politics will be eliminated; that is,
4 il the people take advantage of their
opportunities.
Possibly not all. that might have beer
desired has been accomplished. but d
great step forward has been taken. The
< exclusion Of policemen and tiremen from
active participation in politics is in it
self notable achievement.
( Aside from the severe penalties i'm.
posed for violation of this mandate, the
fact that any citizen can bring actor
against any policeman or fireman fol
violation of this law is one of its mos
effective provisions.
The abolition of the old Board o
4 Registration Commissioners, notorioU!
for its partisanship and perversity o
method will work a revolution in pre-
cinct politics provided n new board tina
is uncompromisingly nonfactional re
places the old.
Civil Service Defeat Not Vital
From purely party viewpoint
think it is more generally conceded tina
the defeat of the plan to extend the civi
service provision prohibiting all partici
patton by offceholders in politics is
matter not vital to the regeneration o
the city.
A city council of twenty one is an cx
pertinent. I believe with those who hav
studied existing political conditions tha
ii will mean a diSintegration of fac
tions and a realgnment of the citizen
ship upon the basis of higher ideals.
1t will be n powerful weapon for goo'
or evil. Its best feature is that it will
insure fairer representation of tn
peoples will,
The workman : compensation act as
sures a better method of adequate com
pensation to the workman who may b
injured in discharge of his duties.
will be. if nothing more. a fairly dccen
makeshift until future Legislatur
can enact an ideal law on the subject
Partisan Hatred Massed
No session that / recall has eve
closed with such mass of bottled Il
partisan hatred Unfortunately thi
applies solely to Philadelphia whic
from today becomes involved in factiont
strife that is irresponsible. 1t is
fight to finish.
The Ware leaders controlling the ci
Republican Organization will strive
every available method know to skill'
politicians to wipe the Penrose follow
ing in combination with the indepepde
reform element off the map.
The Penrose influence throughout t
state was sufficiently powerful to don