The Pennsylvania Legislative Correspondents' Association was founded in 1895. Since about that time, PLCA members have posed for a class photo during every two-year legislative session. The photos below hang in glass frames in the Capitol Newsroom. The session year, if known, is listed in the top left corner of the pictures. More class photos will be added at a later date to showcase the gradual inclusion of women.
Below the slide show you can read highlights from PLCA board meeting minutes about booze, poker, war and other issues important to reporters in their respective days.
Finally, we've scanned a copy of former Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Gary Tuma's book celebrating PLCA's centennial anniversary in 1995.
Below the slide show you can read highlights from PLCA board meeting minutes about booze, poker, war and other issues important to reporters in their respective days.
Finally, we've scanned a copy of former Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Gary Tuma's book celebrating PLCA's centennial anniversary in 1995.
PLCA meeting minutes archives
Jan. 2, 1905 – On a motion of Mr. [H.S.] Calvert Auditor General [William] Snyder as granted the privileges of the floor to invite the association to be his guests on a trip to New Orleans in March 1905 or 1906 to attend the Mardi Gras. On a motion of Mr. [Peter} Bolger, a vote of thanks was tendered Mr. Snyder.
Jan. 24, 1905 – Mr. Robert Herbert moved that a committee of 3 be appointed by the Governor [former title of PLCA President] to attend the next meeting of the State Capitol Commission. Mr. Hoban moved to amend that the committee shall arrange with the commission for permanent quarters for members of the association in the new Capitol and Senate and House chambers. The amendment was adopted after which the motion as amended was adopted.
April 2, 1907 – Senator J.K.P. Hall has invited the correspondents to dine with him, all arrangements to be made by a committee of correspondents. Mr. Brennan moved that the invitation be accepted and that Mr. Brennan be appointed chairman of a committee of 3 to take up the matter with Senator Hall and arrange for the dinner sometime next week. This was carried.
Jan. 19, 1915 – Mr. Darlington moved that the association express itself against any liquor being brought into the rooms which was defeated by a vote of 13 to 13.
Jan. 22, 1935 – (Editor's note: This is how the Gridiron got started) Mr. Cummings moved the Association give a get-acquainted dinner to the Cabinet, correspondents paying their own way, free guests to be the governor, lieutenant governor, and secretary-elect of Internal Affairs, the Cabinet, Harry E. Kalodner and Thomas E. Williams, secretary and assistant secretary respectively to the new governor. The motion was carried. The date is to be February 5, if convenient to the governor.
May, 3, 1937 – John M. Cummings protested against poke games at times when correspondents have work to do at the spot where the game is played, and moved that “all forms of gambling in these rooms be prohibited during working hours which, on Mondays shall be considered as extending to 3 a.m. Tuesday.” Robert W. Comber suggested that an amendment to limit the ban on time until correspondents using the card room for their duties have completed their work. On a showing of hands, President McFarland announced the vote was tie and declared the motion carried.
Jan. 23, 1939 – Appointed a committee to negotiate for additional newsroom space and equipment after Mr. McFarland reported conversations by himself and Mr. Roos concerning obtaining rooms 522 and 523, now occupied by House official reporters, and erection of a partition across the corridor to provide a fifth room in which lockers might be placed.
Sept. 30, 1941 – Mr. Miller moved, seconded by Mr. Paget, that the Association buy a sterling silver bowl at a cost of $50 as a wedding present for Governor James and that the same be purchased at association expense. Motion was carried unanimously.
Jan. 4, 1943 – Motion made to keep 13 active members in military service on the PLCA rolls but as non-paying members for the duration of the war.
Jan. 15, 1945 – The members of the 50th anniversary celebration committee made an impromptu and informal preliminary report on the plans for the celebration. The date of Tuesday, April 3, two days after Easter, has been tentatively set for the observance of the anniversary and the governor has reserved that date. A dinner and appropriate program, but not a gridiron show, was decided upon as fitting for the observance under wartime conditions.
Jan. 18, 1949 –The Association for the first time is buying drinking water for the newsroom. This item ran to $43.10 in the current two-year period, starting July 7, 1947.
July 6, 1950 – Committee formed to buy a farewell gift for Gov. Duff (similar gestures were done at the end of previous administrations as well).
Jan. 24, 1905 – Mr. Robert Herbert moved that a committee of 3 be appointed by the Governor [former title of PLCA President] to attend the next meeting of the State Capitol Commission. Mr. Hoban moved to amend that the committee shall arrange with the commission for permanent quarters for members of the association in the new Capitol and Senate and House chambers. The amendment was adopted after which the motion as amended was adopted.
April 2, 1907 – Senator J.K.P. Hall has invited the correspondents to dine with him, all arrangements to be made by a committee of correspondents. Mr. Brennan moved that the invitation be accepted and that Mr. Brennan be appointed chairman of a committee of 3 to take up the matter with Senator Hall and arrange for the dinner sometime next week. This was carried.
Jan. 19, 1915 – Mr. Darlington moved that the association express itself against any liquor being brought into the rooms which was defeated by a vote of 13 to 13.
Jan. 22, 1935 – (Editor's note: This is how the Gridiron got started) Mr. Cummings moved the Association give a get-acquainted dinner to the Cabinet, correspondents paying their own way, free guests to be the governor, lieutenant governor, and secretary-elect of Internal Affairs, the Cabinet, Harry E. Kalodner and Thomas E. Williams, secretary and assistant secretary respectively to the new governor. The motion was carried. The date is to be February 5, if convenient to the governor.
May, 3, 1937 – John M. Cummings protested against poke games at times when correspondents have work to do at the spot where the game is played, and moved that “all forms of gambling in these rooms be prohibited during working hours which, on Mondays shall be considered as extending to 3 a.m. Tuesday.” Robert W. Comber suggested that an amendment to limit the ban on time until correspondents using the card room for their duties have completed their work. On a showing of hands, President McFarland announced the vote was tie and declared the motion carried.
Jan. 23, 1939 – Appointed a committee to negotiate for additional newsroom space and equipment after Mr. McFarland reported conversations by himself and Mr. Roos concerning obtaining rooms 522 and 523, now occupied by House official reporters, and erection of a partition across the corridor to provide a fifth room in which lockers might be placed.
Sept. 30, 1941 – Mr. Miller moved, seconded by Mr. Paget, that the Association buy a sterling silver bowl at a cost of $50 as a wedding present for Governor James and that the same be purchased at association expense. Motion was carried unanimously.
Jan. 4, 1943 – Motion made to keep 13 active members in military service on the PLCA rolls but as non-paying members for the duration of the war.
Jan. 15, 1945 – The members of the 50th anniversary celebration committee made an impromptu and informal preliminary report on the plans for the celebration. The date of Tuesday, April 3, two days after Easter, has been tentatively set for the observance of the anniversary and the governor has reserved that date. A dinner and appropriate program, but not a gridiron show, was decided upon as fitting for the observance under wartime conditions.
Jan. 18, 1949 –The Association for the first time is buying drinking water for the newsroom. This item ran to $43.10 in the current two-year period, starting July 7, 1947.
July 6, 1950 – Committee formed to buy a farewell gift for Gov. Duff (similar gestures were done at the end of previous administrations as well).