Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-21
PeeHca . IL
Ps'.nasLa~ia
BY the Ex.Committecman

A ceremony without precedent in
state annals, as far as can be ascer-
tanned. took place in the Senate of
pennsylvania last night when two
of its members resigned to become
respectively the Governor and Lieu
tenant Governor of the common
wealth. Aside from its interest as q
historical scene, 1t had unusual po-
litical significance, because the two
men called to the highest elective
offices in the state were conspicuous
In their opposition to the retiring
Governor and his administration,
| especially when the rights of the
upper house in regard to confirma-
tion of appointees were concerned.
And both were opposed by all the
resources at the command of the
Brumbaugh administration at the
primary last May.
1t scarcely needs any statements
In the inaugurals of today to con-
vince the observer of political mat
ters that such incidents as have
marked the relations Of the Senate
and the Governor the last four years
will not be repeated, and that the
chapters of that part Of Pennsylva-
MAS political history may be filed
away.
Administering of the oath to
Governor Sproul was the second oc-
casion of the kind for Chief Justice
]. Hay Brown. The Lancaster jur-
ist officiated at the inauguration of
DR.. Martin G. Brumbaugh. The
oath was administered to John K.
Tener by Chief Justice d. Newlin
Fell, Of Philadelphia, while Chief
Justice James T. Mitchell admins
tered the oath to Edwin s. Stuart,
one of his personal friends. 1t is
an interesting fact that Senator
Sproul is native of Lancaster,
where the chief justice attained
fame as an attorney before being
elevated to the supreme court bench
This will be the last ceremony of
the kind for Chief Justice Brown, as
his term will expire in 1921, unless,
of course, the next Governor should
invite him to act in 1928.
Senator William E. Crow, upon
whom falls the mantle of leadership
in the State Senate because of the
retirement of William c. Sproul af-
ter service of q quarter of a century
in the upper house of the Legisla-
ture has taken the seat of Senator
Sproul on the front row. This
across the aisle from Senator Edwin
II. Ware and has been occupied by
Senator Sproul ever since the Senate
was arranged as 1t is now, which
was when the bull ring" was abol-
ished about fifteen years ago. Sem
ator Crow will succeed to the chair
manship of the Finance committee,
long held by the Delaware man,
and which is one of the most i'm
portant in the Legislature.
james f. Woodward, secretary
of Internal Affairs-elect, who will
assume office in May, was congratu-
lated by many friends in the inaugu-
ration crowds yesterday and today.
The McKeesport legislator Is much
consulted because of his long SER
vice in the House. This is the first
session in which he has not been a
member of four. Most of the time
he has been chairman or high up in
the appropriation committee, of
which his close friend, william J.
McCaig will be chairman.
George ]. Brennan, of the Phil
adelphia Inquirer, is the dean OF the
correspondents here for the ses-
sion. He has been coming to Har-
risburg for almost thirty years, and
only Walter j. Christy, of the Pitts
burgh Gazette-Times, has a longer
record of active and continuous
newspaper work in connection with
Legislatures. Mr.. Christy was un-
able to get here for the ceremony
today, 1t being the first inauguration
he has missed since 1891.
Members of the Legislature are
discussing rather critically the
treatment meted out to Captain
Samuel A. Whitaker, of Phoenix
willie, in the matter of an army COM
mand. The captain was an active
member of the last three sessions,
and except for his service in France
would have been elected this year
and been a leader. He Is home after
being given the treatment complain
ed of by former officers of the Ma
tional Guard, who were shifted from
the commands with which they had
fought
-Ex-Auditor General A. e. ris-
son, former president pro tenn of
the Senate. was among the visitors
to the Capitol and attended the
monies in the Senate
May the sunshine of success
always light your path" was the
sentiment of Lieutenant Governor
McClatn In his eulogy of William c.
Sproul last night. 1t was much re-
peated about the Capitol and met
with approval everywhere.
Lex n. Mitchell. a former legis-
lator, is here for the opening. Mr..
Mitchell has been insurging a long
time.
Ira D. McCord, q former Ches-
ter county legislator. is being talked
of as a possible House clerk. It is
said that q number of changes in
the ROW" will take place.
According to gossip President
pro tenn Buckman will marry next
week. His bride to be lives in the
West.