USA > Illinois > Cook County > History of Cook County, Illinois : being a general survey of Cook County history, including a condensed history of Chicago and special account of districts outside the city limits : from the earliest settlement to the present time, volume II > Part 59
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It was stated in the newspapers of October 31 that within less than ten years Charles B. Farwell, a Republican, Marshall Field, then a Democrat, and scores of other wealthy men of both parties were com- pelled to raise $1,500,000 to rescue the city of Chicago from bank- ruptcy. After the reign of Colvin's gang it required that sum to put the city government under Mayor Heath in proper financial order. This fact was emphasized during the campaign of October, 1882. It was now declared that an infamous cabal was in possession, not only of the city government but probably of the Democratic and the Republican organizations as well, with the design of corrupting municipal politics and government as they had been under the Col- vin administration. During the campaign Mayor Harrison appeared in numerous public speeches in all parts of the city and his course was declared to be undignified and improper. He addressed audiences in saloons and in front of bar-rooms. It was well known that Mr. McDonald was a gambler and saloon supporter. The Citizens' asso- ciation did its best to influence voters to support good men regardless of party. It was powerless to overturn or circumvent the cunning, ability and success of the gang leaders. The newspapers denominat- ed Mike McDonald as the Boss Tweed of Chicago.
The Times, usually independent, supported Mr. McGarigle, the ticket of the Democrats and the principles of Mike McDonald gen- erally during this campaign. The Tribune, on November 6, said, "If the people of Cook county are not confronted with a most threat- ening and dangerous emergency no local political situation ever pre- sented one. The Republican who fails to see clearly that the interest of the county and the interest of his party are absolutely identical must be politically blind. In brief the question is, Shall the govern- ment of Cook county be controlled by reputable citizens or shall it be handed over to the tender mercies of the disreputable classes? In the fate of the county ticket is bound up also that of the Congres- sional and Legislative tickets. It is not improbable that the complex- ion of the State Legislature may be determined by the Cook county election." The Tribune, on November 7, election day, said, "The local campaign ends just where it began-upon the single issue whether or not Mike McDonald shall be the Boss Tweed of Chicago and Cook county."
In Cook county the Republicans elected five new Republican sen- ators. It was Mayor Harrison's plan to carry a majority of the Cook county delegation in order to control the Legislature and elect him
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United States Senator. The election defeated his plans. John F. Finerty was elected to Congress. The Democratic machine did everything in its power to defeat him, but failed. The election of the Republican candidate for sheriff was considered the defeat of the McDonald-Harrison organization. As a matter of fact the news- papers scared the people of the county, and even Democrats voted against the gang machine, fearing they would go to extremes in their enthusiasm and ambition. The Republicans rejoiced greatly at the defeat of McGarigle. It meant a body blow to the city hall gang by the people of the county. McGarigle was defeated by about 4,000 majority. The Democrats had counted on his election by from 6,000 to 8,000 majority. This election in a large measure defeated Mayor Harrison's ambition and hope for future state and national promi- nence and power. However, he was yet the boss of the city govern- ment and the City Democracy. The State Legislature was Repub- lican, and hence Mayor Harrison had no hope for the senatorship. This was one of the first and most notable victories of the Chicago suburbs against the ring-rule of the city government.
In the spring of 1883 a mayor and eighteen aldermen were to be elected. As the city was controlled by a gang of ringsters and graft- ers, this election was regarded as highly important. Reform was insistently demanded by the better element of all factions and parties. The Republicans declared that the existing city government was the creature and shadow of Mayor Harrison. Even Harrison himself publicly admitted that the majority of the council at this time was more or less corrupt. He claimed that he could not help it. He was a candidate for reelection. The Republicans nominated Eugene Cary for the mayoralty. This campaign was one of reform, spontaneous- ly instituted by all parties that desired improvement in the city ad- ministration. The reform candidates were called the Citizens' Union ticket. At an immense meeting held by its supporters at Battery D hall, Mr. Cary declared that the existing city government was a mere party machine. Mr. Harrison a few days before had said that if reelected he would run the city government in the interests of the Democratic party, which elected him, and that Democratic success was of the greatest importance, owing to the near approach of the national campaign. In reply, Mr. Cary said, "The city of Chicago was not organized to be the machine of any party. The people of the city of Chicago are not taxed to support a political machine, and if I am elected mayor the city's government shall not be made the machine of any party." Harrison was denounced in the severest terms during the campaign. He was called dictator and demagogue, and was declared to be aware of the open gambling and vice ram- pant throughout the city. The people were called to rally against his administration and reelection. Rousing meetings were held by the Citizens' ticket supporters in all parts of the city. Eugene Cary was their candidate for mayor ; Denis O'Connor, city treasurer ; Emil
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Dietzsch, city clerk; B. F. Richolson, city attorney. The Democratic ticket was Carter H. Harrison for mayor; John N. Dunphy, treas- urer; J. G. Neumeister, city clerk; and J. S. Grinnell, city attorney. The Union League club was so interested in the result and so deter- mined to have a fair election that it offered $300 reward for the apprehension and conviction of any person voting illegally. On Sunday, April, 1, every minister in the city denounced the Harrison administration, declared it the friend of vice and crime and begged the people to end its existence. It was declared by them that Mr. Harrison had released from the Bridewell in one year over 600 per- sons convicted of all sorts of crimes. The following Monday Mr. Harrison in vigorous terms paid his regards to the preachers who had noticed him so caustically on Sunday. But the efforts of the Fusionists and of the ministers were unavailing. Mr. Harrison was reelected by a majority of about 10,000. The entire Democratic ticket was chosen. An analysis of the election showed that in all probability the Stock Yards, pork-packing and street railway inter- ests were the chief causes of the success of the Democratic ticket. A remarkable feature of this memorable campaign was the speech deliverd by Mr. Harrison on the night after the election. He abused in his characteristic style all who had opposed him. The Democrats held a rousing ratification meeting. In the new council were sixteen Republicans and twenty Democrats. No doubt the question of high or low license cut an important figure in this campaign.
The recent success of the Democracy throughout the county be- tokened their possible success in Cook county in November, 1883. The Democratic machine was extremely arrogant, independent, art- ful, able and strong. Four candidates for the County Board were to be chosen from the city and one from the outside districts. The Republican county convention was held November 1. John M. Smyth, chairman of the county central committee, called the con- vention to order. Joseph Medill, who was present, was called upon for a speech and complied, describing the condition of city and coun- ty politics. He said among other things, "What is involved in this election is the control of the government of Cook county and the administration of its large affairs. If you elect your five commission- ers you will retain that control and with its retention you will be sure next year at the presidential election of having honest and capable men for judges and clerks throughout this county." The Republi- cans nominated a full ticket for the vacant offices. The Democratic convention, which was held the same day, did likewise. Michael Mc- Donald and Joseph Mackin were conspicuous at the latter. The Citi- zens' League was active during this campaign. Captain Rumsey was president of the latter.
It was a notorious fact that in April, 1883, gross, numerous and palpable frauds were perpetrated throughout the city, not alone by the Democrats, but by the Republicans, though this was particularly
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true of the Democrats, who were determined to retain their power regardless of measures or consequences. Particularly in the Ninth ward were the frauds numerous and flagrant. The election of No- vember, 1883, resulted in the selection of four Democratic county commissioners and a Democratic Superior court judge by about 3,000 majority. This was a serious damper to Republican hopes and prospects.
It was seen now that the polling places in Cook county at the pres- idential election in 1884 would be controlled by Mike McDonald, Mayor Harrison, Joseph Mackin and their supporters. Henry M. Shepard, Democrat, was elected over John A. Jamieson, Republican, judge of the Superior court, by about 3,400 majority. The Demo- crats likewise elected Commissioners Leyden, Van Pelt, Hannigan and Niesen within the city limits, but the Republicans elected Lynn in the district consisting of Hyde Park, Calumet, Worth and Thorn- ton.
In March, 1884, an investigation showed that the registry lists had been doctored. Each party charged the fraud to the other. Mr. Harrison had been so roundly abused for his administration, or mal- administration, of city affairs that in sheer desperation during this election he declared he would terminate and close every gambling hole in Chicago. Immediately his friends, Joe Mackin and Mike McDonald, became his enemies. It was thus a contest between the mayor on one side and these distinguished, or extinguished, gentle- men on the other. Mr. McDonald himself conducted a gambling house which he called a store. There were many set-tos between the parties and before long was a straight-out fight between the two machines. The interest in this election was concerned in the selec- tion of aldermen who would rule in the interests of the party. Eighteen aldermen were to be chosen. The town elections were also important. The newspapers and associations, as soon as the candi- dates were announced, investigated their characters and standings and forecast their probable behavior in the City Council if elected. The result of the election generally showed little change in the polit- ical complexion or moral character of the city government. There were surprises and unlooked for changes, but practically the council remained as before, in control of the same old gang. Cullerton, Hildreth, Lawler and Colvin, known as the "big four," were there in unbroken and undismayed unanimity .- The coming council con- tained twenty Democrats and fifteen Republicans and there was one vacancy caused by death. The ring ticket swept the North town. In the West town the Democrats elected their tickets. In the South town the Republicans won with one or two exceptions. In Lake the Citizens' ticket was elected. The taxpayers' ticket won in Hyde Park. It is probable that had not the differences arisen between Harrison on one side and McDonald and Mackin on the other, the Democrats would have made a much better showing.
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The Republican leaders were grossly ignorant, careless and in- competent at this time. The Tribune said, "We imagine that if the taxpayers of Chicago and the members of the Republican party can endure the ills which must inevitably flow from the domination of the elements which have lately controlled the Republican party, the active workers in the party can also submit to the infliction. There will be no purification of the city government until the men whose pockets are directly affected by rascality shall realize the wrongs that are being committed against them and shall rise in some citi- zens' movement as earnest and well directed as that of ten years ago. Certainly the municipal administration is now sunk in a slough of corruption and vice such as it has never before wallowed in." The success of the old aldermanic gang was expected. Perhaps that was why the Republicans were so apathetic and unconcerned. A desperate effort to defeat Cullerton in the Sixth ward resulted in failure. The majority in the City Council were known to be reck- less and corrupt. They did not care how much the taxpayers were plundered nor to what extent blackmail and dishonesty extended. They were mostly ignorant ward heelers without a single aspiration higher than the saloon or the brothel.
The Democrats inaugurated their national campaign at an im- mense harmony banquet held by the Iroquois club about the middle of April. Among the speakers were J. Sterling Morton, George H. Pendleton, Governor Glick of Kansas, Carter H. Harrison and others. These men voiced the policies of the Democracy for the coming campaign. This was a year in which Cook county was prominent in the state conventions of both parties. The Republicans nominated Richard J. Oglesby for governor, John C. Smith of Cook county was nominated for lieutenant governor; Hon. Burton C. Cook of Chicago was appointed delegate at large to the national convention and instructed to vote for General Logan, the favorite son of Illinois, as long as he should remain in the field. Thus Cook county people were represented on the state Republican ticket.
The Republican national convention was held in Chicago. Prep- arations for that important event began to be made in April. The people had not forgotten how well the convention of 1889 advertised the city. At this time Carter H. Harrison was a prominent candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor. Theodore Roosevelt was a delegate at large to this convention. The leading Republican candidates for President were Blaine, Arthur, Edmunds, Logan, Sherman and Hawley. On May 14 the combined Anti-monopolists, Women's Suffragists, Bourbon State Rights Democrats, Green- backers, Prohibitionists, Trades Unionists, Knights of Labor. Eight- Hour Law men and miscellaneous other factions assembled at Her- shey hall in this city and nominated for President Benjamin F. Butler. The national Republican convention was held in the Exposi- tion building on the lake front. Everybody believed that Mr. Blaine
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would receive the nomination. He came with a strong delegation and many supporters. Edmunds, Hawley, Sherman and Harrison were here to secure the nomination if possible. The supporters of Blaine favored the nomination of Logan for Vice-President. Sun- day was conceded to be a Blaine day. He seemed to have it all his own way. John B. Henderson was elected temporary chairman of the convention. Many prominent Republicans throughout the coun- try were present and addressed the public in the various halls and in the convention chamber during the preliminary proceedings. On June 6 the convention nominated Mr. Blaine for President and Gen- eral Logan for Vice-President. This had been anticipated and caused no surprise. The Democrats nominated Grover Cleveland for the Presidency at an exciting convention in this city. The appearance here of Mr. Cleveland during the campaign was a notable political event. The demonstration was immense and brilliant.
In October, 1884, the Citizens' association took steps to perfect the enrollment of voters and to prevent fraud and false registration. The Republicans and the Democrats prepared early for a vigorous campaign on national, state and local issues. The full strength of each party was called into play during the campaign. As the County Board was under control of the same machine as the City Council and as the leader of the latter was dominated and controlled by the McDonald-Mackin gang, the citizens had no great difficulty in seeing what might be the result. The Republican committee recommended a list of judges, but the partisan County Board refused to appoint one of them. Carter H. Harrison was the Democratic candidate for governor of Illinois. It was at his instigation that the Republicans were excluded from representation among the election judges of Cook county. The various conventions met in October and nomi- nated candidates for Appellate court clerk, recorder, Circuit court clerk, Superior court clerk, coroner, state's attoney, surveyor and several county commissioners. This campaign was one of the most brilliant and enthusiastic ever held in the county. The Democrats were particularly confident and aggressive. They thoroughly or- ganized and resorted to all tactics necessary to win victory. The Republicans were little behind them in efforts to achieve success. The location of numerous voting places in saloons was denounced vigorously by the best newspapers of the city. This led to a change in the location in most cases. The first registration was 29,226- not one-half of what was expected. So much pressure was brought to bear upon the Democratic machine that finally Harrison, McDon- ald and Van Pelt, with other leaders of that party, promised to place a Republican judge in every precinct. Mr. Blaine arrived in Chicago October 25 and delivered a speech to an immense audience. One of the most brilliant processions that ever passed through Chicago streets greeted his visit. The scene in front of the Grand Pacific hotel where he stopped was brilliant in the extreme. Over 50,000
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people and a procession 20,000 strong, accompanied with banners, fireworks and torches made the locality of the Grand Pacific a scene of splendor rarely surpassed. His reception was one of the most notable in the history of Chicago. The Tribune said, "The proces- sion was not only the largest that has ever turned out in the history of the city, but one of the greatest popular uprisings that has ever been known in this country. The sight in front of the Grand Pacific was one to be remembered for a lifetime." The last registration day was October 28. The newspapers frantically appealed to voters to attend and register their names. The importance of the local ticket was not lost sight of in the enthusiasm with which the national ticket was received. Republicans and Democrats alike took great interest in the city nominations and fought vigorously to win suc- cess. The Temperance party had a ticket in the field. Mr. Butler's chances were thought to be fair. The Mugwumps were in evidence and numerous other factions and cabals appeared before the public for their countenance and support. The Democrats were particu- larly active in trading in such a way as to secure the election of Car- ter H. Harrison for governor and the selection of a strong Demo- cratic representation in the next Legislature. On Saturday, Novem- ber 1, the Republicans made another large demonstration and pa- rade. For county officers Democrats and Republicans nominated candidates for state's attorney, coroner, recorder, Superior court clerk, clerk to the county surveyor, five county commissioners and three candidates for the state senate. The total registration was about 113,000. Many of the Democratic candidates for the Legislature pledged the Saloon-Keepers' league to vote for the repeal of the Harper law should they be elected to the Legislature. Many of the Republican candidates did likewise.
The first announcement of the result of the election was unfavora- ble to Blaine and occasioned great depression in the Republican ranks and intense joy to the Chicago Democrats. The national contest was still undecided in the newspapers of Thursday morning. On the whole, Chicago did better than the rest of the country. It gave Blaine a majority of about 2,000. The whole county gave him ap- proximately 7,000. This result was attained notwithstanding the cunning system practiced by the Democratic clerks and judges. It was alleged that the Van Pelt-McDonald machine cheated the Re- publicans out of fully 2,000 votes in the county. The Republicans were aroused to indignation at the announcement that in New York attempts to cheat Blaine out of the nomination were being patched up. The vote for Garfield in 1880 was 54,886; Hancock, 44,309. Cook county in 1884 gave Mr. Oglesby for governor, 65,362; Har- rison, 65,070. Harper, 302; Hobbs, 769. It gave Blaine 69,25.1; Cleveland, 60,633; Butler, 812, and St. John, 996. Chicago gave Blaine 51,420; Cleveland, 48,530; Butler, 542; St. John, 484.
In the spring of 1885 the city hall gang made a determined effort
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not only to retain and increase its power, but also to extend its influence and domination to the town tickets which were intrusted with the assessment and collection of taxes. The city hall people contributed means and efforts in the three principal towns and did everything in their power to win those subdivisions to their control. The Republicans were not behind them in similar efforts. Probably the fiercest fight at this election was over the officers of the three towns. Each of the two leading parties denounced the other in acrimonious terms and charged it with all variety of fraud, misrep- resentation and corruption. In a large measure the charges of both were correct.
Many people at this time demanded a change in the city govern- ment. Harrison had controlled city affairs for six years. As the Democrats in the fall of 1884 had demanded a change in the national government, so now, declared the Republicans, there should be a change in the city government. It was thought necessary to count the money, examine the books, inject new blood into the arteries of municipal management, and the Republicans accordingly went into this fight determined and confident. On the other hand the Demo- crats, confident of having, as a whole, ruled well, again demanded the support of the people. The Tribune said, "The people of Chi- cago have had enough-too much-of Harrison. They have had too much of Mike McDonald. They are tired of the scandals which have disgraced the city hall during the last two years. They de- mand a change of administration; a new broom is needed; higher ideas of responsibility to public opinion must be established in the Mayor's office and the council chamber ; Harrison and the gang must go." The newspapers of both parties insisted that voters should dis- regard partisan considerations and select honest men regardless of party affiliations. There was such a strong feeling against Mr. Har- rison and the city administration and in favor of a change that the Democrats themselves became alarmed and apparently lost nerve in the exciting closing scenes of the campaign. Among the Harri- son speakers were Lawler, Hildreth, Wasserman, McGurren, Van Pelt, McDonald, Winston, Rehm, Kerwin, Weeks, Mackin and others. The Democrats concentrated all their strength to secure the reelection of Mayor Harrison. They slashed tickets to the utmost to accomplish this result. The Police and Fire departments, shovel brigade and all the supernumerary gangs under control of the ad- ministration contributed to this supreme object. The saloons assist- ed the cause to the utmost. The clubs and associations as well as the newspapers critically examined every phase of the local situation, studied every possible chance for fraud and gave widespread and continuous publicity to every step of the campaign. The committee on public safety offered a reward of $100 for information that would lead to the conviction of any person guilty of illegal voting, fraud- ulent registration, repeating, or any violation of the election law.
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They issued circulars or dodgers and spread them broadcast over the city to this effect. Particularly did they direct their attention to the cheap lodging houses of the down town wards. The registry lists were scrutinized and investigated with a thoroughness never before seen here. Both parties levied heavy campaign contributions upon their supporters and members. The Republican and the Democratic campaign committees never worked with greater determination and desperation. Strong organizations of fighters in every ward were perfected and set at work. Both old parties made strong efforts to secure the united support of the Irish, Germans, Scandinavians, na- tive Americans and every other faction in the city. In a speech addressed to the Scandinavians Judge Sidney Smith said, "I have been in Chicago for twenty-nine years and have witnessed many campaigns, both national and local, but have never in my life seen such earnestness, determination and enthusiasm as at present. A ring has ruled Chicago for six years and now asks for a continuance of power. When General Grant was proposed for a third term the people said 'No.' Washington set the example of two terms, yet the ring proposes to have a fourth. If they are allowed to succeed this year, God save Chicago. The people will never get rid of them. The ring call themselves the Democratic party; that is a misnomer. The great majority of the Democrats of Chicago are decent, honest and law-abiding citizens, but they have no more to say in the Demo- cratic organization than have the Republicans. The same frauds are now likely to be repeated, with which the ring has controlled the city for six years. The title of the present mayor is tainted with fraud. Harrison can not deceive the people this spring. His time has come. The rousing meetings all over the city indicate unmistak- ably that the people are awake and ready to act." The campaign committees, committee on public safety and the various political clubs thoroughly investigated the registration lists and arrested nu- merous scoundrels for false registration, etc.
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