Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 41

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Rogers, Thomas H; Moffet, Hugh R; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : Muncell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 972

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The election of 1881 was the first under the general law. This fact would of itself awaken unusual interest. Moreover, there was to be a clean sweep in all elective offices. There were to be two aldermen from each ward, instead of one. The choice of fourteen city legislators at one election, besides a mayor and other officials, created a situation without precedent. The election was a squarely fought contest on the issue of license or no-license. The campaign was signalized by the submission of a referen- dum vote on the question of license, in which women were allowed a vote. At a meeting of the city council held March 7, 1881, a commit- tee representing the Woman's Christian Tem- perance Union, through Mrs. B. Foltz, presented the following petition :

"To the mayor and council of the city of Rockford: We, the undersigned, men and women of Rockford, believe that women should be granted a voice in deciding whether we are to have dram-shops among the institutions of our city, and we earnestly desire that pro- vision be made by special ordinance, for a vote on the question of legalizing the liquor traffic here, and that in such vote the women be in- vited to share."

This petition bore the signature of 1,152 legal voters, and 2,347 women over twenty-one years of age. William Lathrop, Melancthon Starr and Rev. J. K. Fowler addressed the council in behalf of the petitioners. At the meeting of the council March 28, the commit- tee on ordinances, to whom the petition was referred, presented a favorable report, and the council passed the ordinance by a unanimous vote. The ordinance provided that license might be granted if a majority of those voting should so decide, and not otherwise. A. Bronson Al- cott, of Concord fame, visited Rockford a few days before election and expressed himself earnestly in behalf of women voting on the question.

Prominent citizens, representing all shades of opinion on the license question, united in a peti- tion to S. P. Crawford, asking that he be a candidate for mayor. The license convention acquiesced in the choice of Mr. Crawford and he was elected.

HIGH LICENSE LAW.

Mayor Crawford was the first to serve a two- year term under the general law. He was public spirited and zealous for Rockford's pres- tige. His administration was progressive and a model of municipal efficiency. He made im- provements in the police and fire departments and he was recognized as a resourceful leader. Notwithstanding these facts there developed a determined opposition to his re-election. He was charged with extravagance when the bonded debt of the city was practically up to the con- stitutional limit. The reactionaries also took alarm from the proposal to build a city hall, and the additional expense of improved school equipment. Moreover, Mayor Crawford's oppo- sition to the license system was a factor in the situation.

The passage of the Harper high license law in June, 1883, was an advance in restrictive legislation in Illinois. It fixed the minimum price for a dram-shop license at $500, with $150 for the sale of malt liquors only. The municipal campaign of 1883 was conducted dur- ing the discussion of the Harper bill, whose passage was only a matter of time and detail. The opposition to Mayor Crawford concentrated on Alfred Taggart, an exponent of high license, and these stalwart characters were pitted against each other on election day. The re- sult is told in these figures: Taggart, 1,360; Crawford, 1,195; Taggart's majority, 165. With the Harper bill about to become a law, and a mayor and council in sympathy with restrictive rather than prohibitory legislation, the high license system became thoroughly established in Rockford, and with the exception of a single year, it so continued for a quarter of a cen- tury. The license fee was fixed at $600, which was $100 more than in 1881-'82. Among the acts of the retiring council were the adoption of resolutions in honor of former Mayor Fowler, who died April 12; and the passage of an ordi- nance fixing the salaries of city officers for the

CITY HALL, ROCKFORD

ELKS' CLUB, ROCKFORD

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POSTOFFICE, ROCKFORD

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

ensuing two years. The salary of the mayor was made $250.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS CONSOLIDATED.

Early in Mayor Taggart's administration public attention was directed toward important changes in the public school system. It was pro- posed to reorganize under the general school law. Mayor Taggart opposed this plan and March 17, 1884, addressed a special message to the council urging the consolidation of the two school districts and other important changes. The council passed an ordinance embodying these recommendations. Meanwhile the ques- tion of adopting the state law was submitted to a referendum vote, and at the municipal elec- tion in April the plan was defeated. An inci- dent of the election was the retirement of E. M. Holmes, of the Palmer Hardware Company, as alderman from the First Ward, to be suc- ceeded by T. F. Palmer, the senior member of the same firm.

The spirited campaign of 1885 was an echo of the preceding presidential election. In 1884 James G. Blaine, the "plumed knight," and idol of the Republican party, was defeated by Gro- ver Cleveland by such a meagre plurality that the result might have been attributed to any one of half a dozen causes. The Prohibition- ists, with John P. St. John as their standard- bearer, had drawn from the Republican party in the states, and in New York had cast a vote sufficient to turn the scale against Blaine. The wrath of Republicans in Rockford knew no bounds, and Prohibitionists, even more than Democrats, were the objects of their displeasure. Strict party lines were never so sharply drawn in local affairs before nor since that time. Republican caucuses were held in the several wards for the nomination of a general ticket and aldermen in the several wards. Al- fred Taggart was the unanimous choice for a second term as mayor. The Prohibitionists, although they were in a hopeless minority, ac- cepted the challenge and made a determined fight. Their caucus named John W. Hart for mayor. Mr. Taggart possessed various elements of strength. He had made an excellent record as mayor; he was in sympathy with the high license policy, which was then in force; he had led the way toward a solution of the school problem and he was the candidate of the Re-

publican organization. Mr. Taggart was re- elected by a majority six times greater than he received two years before. The council was ten to twelve in favor of license. The event of Mayor Taggart's second administration was fur- nishing Rockford with a pure-water supply by means of artesian wells. He presented the sub- ject in his second inaugural, and received the co-operation of the council. Before the close of the year water from well No. 1 was turned into the pumping pit.

Toward the close of Mayor Taggart's second term he announced that he would not be a can- didate for re-election. He remained in office until he realized his ambition in giving the city more efficient schools and an artesian water sup- ply. Alfred Taggart was a plain, modest, in- corruptible man. He gave Rockford construct- ive administrations, that have never been sur- passed, if equaled, by any other mayor.

The feature of the election of 1886 was the choice of L. L. Morrison for police magistrate. Mr. Morrison came to Rockford in 1883, com- pleted his study of law in the office of Marshall & Taggart, and was admitted to the bar in Oc- tober of the same year. He carried four wards; R. G. McEvoy carried two and F. Steinback one. Mr. Morrison made a remarkable canvass, and the expression of confidence in him, within less than three years after his arrival in the city, was an unusual tribute. Through repeated elections and his original methods of admin- istering justice, Mr. Morrison established a unique reputation as a terror to evil-doers.

The mayoralty contest of 1887 was quite un- like the one immediately preceding. The re- tributive zeal of the Republicans had subsided, and even the license issue was practically ig- nored. The candidates were H. C. Scovill and W. L. Harbison. The preference shown by the voters was more or less a personal matter. The fact that the East side had not supplied a mayor since Gilbert Woodruff thirteen years before doubtless gave Mr. Scovill an advantage and his majority was 1,348, the largest that had ever been received by any mayoralty can- didate. Mr. Scovill and Mr. Harbison retained a warm personal friendship, and only a few months ago Mr. Harbison said to the writer, "The best man won." Mr. Scovill brought to the mayor's office a thorough acquaintance with municipal affairs, obtained through long service in the council.

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

LICENSE RAISED TO $1,000.

The question of higher saloon license came before the new council. It was proposed to raise it to $1,000. The aldermen were a tie, and Mayor Scovill gave the casting vote for the higher sum, and $1,000 remained the fee until the license system was abolished by invoking the local option law. The license fee was fixed in 1878 at $250; in 1881 and 1882 it was $500 and from 1883 to 1887 it was $600. The cam- paign of 18SS was of unusual interest for an "off year." The advent of Mead Holmes in the council was an incident of especial note. He was a retired Presbyterian clergyman who had acquired a fortune by investments in Rockford realty. He was a unique character.

The first important duty of the new council was a re-adjustment of the interminable license question. Beginning withi 1SSS the calendar year had been made the fiscal year, instead of the twelve months ending April 30, as formerly. The budget had been made up in January on the basis of revenue from license, and failure to derive income from this source would re- quire other measures. The question was there- fore one of unusual interest. Every member of the council was present. It was a great night for orators, budding and full blown, and each one made the most of his opportunity. Mead Holmes had entered the council as an un- known quantity. His record was against license, and he represented a constituency of that faith. He was known, however, to have a leaning to- ward high license. His course was therefore a matter of great solicitude to both factions, as the council was so evenly divided. Alder- man Holmes made a characteristic speech. He quoted Shakespeare, and referred to Caesar, Wellington and William H. Seward, and finally landed on his feet in "dear old Rockford," and voted against license, making the council a tie. Mayor Scovill cut the Gordian knot and cast his decisive vote against license altogether. The legalized saloon was abolished in Rockford for one year. Within a twelve-month Mayor Sco- vill had seized both horns of a dilemma with the grip of a sane and consistent leader.

Mayor Scovill was a candidate for re-elec- tion on his former no-license platform in 1889. His opponent was Captain John H. Sherratt, who carried every ward in the city, and received 2,201 votes. The council stood on the supreme

issue : nine for license, five for no-license. Both were high-minded citizens, veterans of the Civil war, in whose integrity the people had abso- lute confidence.

Mayor Sherratt, in his inaugural, urged the importance of public parks. "Already, in some parts of the city," he said, "the cottage and garden have given place to the flat, and the children have no place but the street for exer- cise and fresh air." He advised the purchase of land for this purpose, because prices were rapidly advancing. Captain Sherratt was a business man, to whom public life made no ap- peal. When the office was thrust upon him he discharged the trust with dignity and the keen- est sense of personal and official honor. It is said he opposed one measure because it might advance his personal interest. He was a gentle- man of the old school, a mayor of the finest type. He believed he had done his duty in one term and declined to be a candidate for re- election.

FIRST STREET PAVING.

Rockford paved its first street during Mayor Sherratt's administration. In 1889 State street was paved with cedar blocks eastward from the river a distance of 1,730 feet, at a net cost of $13,749. In the following year 1,775 feet of similar paving was laid on West State street, and 3,775 feet on South Main street. Another public work of this period was the girder bridge on State street.

"THE LITTLE RED SCHOOL HOUSE."

An issue hitherto unknown in Rockford was paramount in the election of 1891. It was "the little red school house." In 1887 a lawyer named Bowers organized a league in Clinton, Iowa, called the American Protective Associa- tion, and popularly known as the "A. P. A." Its purpose was to restrict immigration and check the activities of any particular religious sect. Its growth was phenomenal throughout the country and several lodges were instituted in Rockford. Overtures were made to H. N. Starr as an available candidate for mayor. He accepted the nomination and announced a plat- form which, considering a time and circun- stances, was exceedingly conservative. Mr. Starr said: "I believe that no religious sect

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

should interfere with our free school system. If elected mayor I will not remove any faithful officials because they are Catholics, and Protes- tants need not expect favor if I believe them to be incompetent or unfaithful." He warned voters against statements purporting to come from him that did not bear his signature, and announced that in case of a tie in the council on the license question, he would vote for a fee of $1,000. Mr. Starr received 1,792 votes and was elected. One of the Rockford news- papers made this comment on the election: "It was the most remarkable and exciting civic contest that has ever occurred in the history of the city, and may be set down as the begin- ning of a new era in municipal elections." It proved beyond doubt that the question of re- ligion was one of abounding interest to a class of citizens sufficiently strong to elect any can- didate they supported. They were ready to sink all other considerations when they had per- suaded themselves that the permanency of the public school system was endangered.

APPOINTS WOMEN ON BOARD.

Mayor Starr was the first mayor to recognize women in appointments to office. He appointed Mrs. D. S. Clark and Mrs. H. W. Taylor mem- bers of the school board. Mrs. Seely Perry, Mrs. Clara G. Sanford and Miss Sarah Ander- son, who was then principal of Rockford Semi- nary, were appointed members of the library board. Mayor Starr's precedent was a just rec- ognition of women's pre-eminent place in edu- cational work.

The election of 1892 was limited to the choice of seven aldermen. There were nine license aldermen, and five for no-license. There had been such a change, however, in the popular vote, that the no-license party considered the result a moral victory. The license vote of the city was 1,710; for no-license, 2,164, a majority . of 454. Four of the five no-license aldermen in the new council had come from Swedish wards.

History repeated itself in the election of 1893. Amasa Hutchins was the candidate of the A. P. A. organization for mayor. He was a native of the county, a veteran of the Civil war, and had served six years as sheriff. He was considered a keen politician and a "vote-get- , ter." His opponents were former Mayor Tag-

gart and E. H. Marsh. Mr. Hutchins' vote amazed his townsmen, his plurality being 374. The council stood eight for license and six for 110-license.

FAMOUS FIGHT WITH CHIEF HEFFRAN.

The event of Mayor Hutchins' administration was his controversy with Fire Marshal Heffran, which was not decided by the court of last resort until after he had retired from office. One of Mayor Hutchins' appointments was that of Stephen T. Julian as fire marshal, to succeed Edward B. Heffran. Under the circumstances of the mayor's election it was supposed that his desire to remove Mr. Heffran was due to religious considerations. The right of the mayor to make his own appointments had been conceded heretofore, but in this instance the mayor found himself out of sympathy with the council. The appointment of Mr. Julian was neither confirmed nor rejected, but was tabled by a vote of nine to five, and was not acted upon thereafter. Mr. Heffran continued to hold the office for another year. Mayor Hutchins again nominated Mr. Julian, and the council rejected it by a vote of eleven to three. The mayor then nominated Frank F. Peats and Frank E. Thomas, who were in turn also re- jected by the same vote. This serious matter was not without its amusing phase. Mayor Hutchins refused to sign Heffran's salary war- rants, and they were unpaid for several months. The mayor was called from the city for a time for some days. The law provides that a mem- ber of the council shall perform his functions in his absence. This duty devolved upon Alder- man Kimball, and he promptly signed all of Heffran's warrants on the city treasury.

HEFFRAN GETS INJUNCTION.

May 7, 1894, Mayor Hutchins removed Mr. Heffran, ordered him. to vacate the office and turn over the property of the department in his possession to a subordinate. The mayor threatened to forcibly eject him if he refused to obey. It was then the fire marshal's turn to act. On the following day he asked for an injunction restraining the mayor from forcibly ejecting him from the office. In the absence of all the judges from the circuit, a temporary injunc- tion was granted by H. W. Taylor, master in

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

chancery. On a motion to dissolve before Judge Crabtree, the temporary injunction was made permanent, and an order to this effect was filed November 2, 1894. Mr. Heffran had won the first two skirmishes in the battle.

Mayor Hutchins took an appeal to the Appel- late court. The opinion of the court was delivered by Justice Parker January 24, 1895. It directed the Circuit court to dissolve tlie injunction, and dismiss the bill for want of equity.

SUPREME COURT SUSTAINS HUTCHINS.

Mr. Heffran had sustained his first defeat and appealed from the Appellate to the Supreme court. The opinion of this court was delivered by Justice Phillips March 28, 1896. The deci- sion of the Appellate court was affirmed, and Mayor Hutchins' right of removal was thor- oughly establisbed. Attorneys John C. Garver and A. E. Fisher were counsel for Mayor Hutch- ins and N. C. Warner and A. H. Frost appeared for Mr. Heffran.

Mayor Hutchins, in his farewell message to the council May 6, 1895, made this reference to the case: "In all kindness permit me to say that I firmly believe the mayor should have the right to make his own appointments and I think the Supreme court will be of the same opinion." Honors were even in this celebrated case. Mayor Hutebins' principle was vindi- cated, but not in time to make it of any practical value to him; while Chief Heffran retained his office through the entire administration.

In 1895 Mayor Hutchins was a candidate for re-election. His opponent was Edward W. Brown, who was recognized as the strongest available candidate of the opposition. Mr. Brown is a native of Rockford, had served as alderman several years, and had been a factor in various business enterprises. He was thus able to rally various elements to his support. The contest was not a skirmish, however, but a real battle, and Mr. Brown was elected by the narrow margin of 54 votes and was re- elected in 1897. His second election was bit- terly contested, with two opposing candidates. Charles J. Kinnie, who had served several terms as county superintendent of schools, was sup- ported by the A. P. A. organization. Dr. E. C. Dunn was the third aspirant. Every newspa- per in the city supported Mr. Brown, and he

was returned with a plurality of 469. For the first time in the history of the city since it had been an issue, there was a solid license council, and this status on the question was maintained in 1898.

Mayor Brown's third election in 1899 was won after a spirited contest.

ELECTRIC LIGHT FOR CITY.

Mayor Brown gave Rockford three construc- tive administrations. In his first inaugural address he made this promise: "It will be my aim during my administration to at all times work for the interests of our city." He re- deemed this pledge to the letter. One of the first problems to receive Mayor Brown's atten- tion was that of lighting the city. Rockford was then paying $20,000 in round numbers to the Gas Light and Coke company. The con- tract would expire in July, 1896, and the mayor recommended that the city make provision for erecting and operating its own electric light plant. During the next year he corresponded with 150 cities in the United States which were lighted by contract, besides a number that oper- ated their own plants. The council, however, did not fully endorse the mayor's program. In his second annual message Mayor Brown an- nounced that a contract for five years had been made with the Rockford General Electric company for 360 arc light lamps, to be lighted every night in the year, at $52 per light. The city was to erect its own pole line, at a cost of about $20,000. The contract was to become operative July 15, 1896. This arrangement proved satisfactory, and in 1901 the contract was renewed for another five years.

Mayor Brown's administrations followed a period of widespread financial depression, be- ginning with 1893. The blow fell heavily upon Rockford. During Mayor Brown's incumbency there was a change for the better and large sums of money were expended in local improve- ments. The city spent $141,048.59 for new school buildings. Two grade buildings, the Kishwaukee and the Turner, were erected, and an addition made to the high school. There was used for school maintenance an average of $89,0000 a year, or $534,000. Two additional artesian wells were bored, and other improve- ments made to increase the water supply. The city built twelve miles of macadamized streets

P.C. Jones.

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

by special assessment, and more than nine miles under the old method of the city paying the entire cost. The office of superintendent of streets was abolished and the duties assigned to the city engineer. The city acquired by gift a strip of land 125 feet wide on the west bank of the river, and built a fine macadam road. This spot is known as Waterworks park.

In 1898 the council provided by ordinance for the board of local improvements, under the law passed in 1897. The first board consisted of Mayor Brown, Fred E. Sterling and Edwin Main. This board passes upon all proposed improvements before they come before the council. In 1899 the council created the office of corporation counsel, and R. G. McEvoy re- ceived the first appointment. Among the vari- ous recommendations made by Mayor Brown was a large trunk sewer on each side of the river, so that all sewage could be emptied below the dam. He also urged the organization of a business men's association. Near the close of Mayor Brown's third term he indicated that he would not consider another term. He had already served longer than any predecessor, and was content with this record. On the evening of April 4, a farewell banquet was given in the mayor's honor at the Nelson House. The guests were city officials and newspaper men.

In the election of 1901 former Mayor Hutch- ins and James T. Joslin were candidates for mayor. Mr. Hutchins was given the largest vote ever received by any candidate up to that time and received an unprecedented majority. The figures were: Hutchins, 4,269; Joslin, 2,232; Hutchins' plurality, 2,037. It is said Mr. Hutchins received support from the element which he had especially opposed six years be- fore. The religious issue was practically elim- inated. There was submitted to the voters the question of authorizing the city to provide an- nually by taxation a special fund for park purposes. The proposition was defeated by a vote of 1,247 to 1,111, a majority of 136. The election of 1902 was without notable incident.

CONTROVERSY OVER LIBRARY SITE.

Mayor Hutchins was fated to have stormy administrations. The feature of his second term was the controversy over the location of the Carnegie public library. The mayor did not

take the initiative in the affair; it was forced upon him by a train of unusual circumstances. March 6, 1901, Andrew Carnegie, through his secretary, sent a letter to the late O. F. Bar- bour, in which he proposed to give the city of Rockford $60,000 for a public library building, on condition that the city appropriate not less than $8,000 annually for the maintenance of the library. March 11, 1901, the city council passed a resolution accepting the gift with its conditions.

Many sites were promptly offered, and bitter contention for the building arose between the East and West sides. This situation continued several months, and the library board deferred decisive action. Meanwhile citizens of the West side purchased the so-called "gas site," and tendered a deed thereof to the city. Individual subscriptions amounted to $9,000 and the Gas Light and Coke company contributed $2,000. The gift was accepted by the city January 13, 1902. The council was a tie. The aldermen voting aye were Love, Butterworth, Crowell, Ogilby, Dunn and Clarke. Those voting nay were Aldermen Jackson, Nash, William John- son, A. G. Johnson, Pearson and Olson. Alder- man Sterling was excused from voting and Alder- man Pendergast was absent. Mayor Hutchins voted aye, and thus broke the deadlock and the building went to the West side.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 41

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Rogers, Thomas H; Moffet, Hugh R; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Chicago : Muncell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 972

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Rogers, Thomas H; Moffet, Hugh R; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : Muncell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 972