Illinois, historical and statistical, comprising the essential facts of its planting and growth as a province, county, territory, and state, Vol. II, Part 29

Author: Moses, John, 1825-1898
Publication date: 1889-1892. [c1887-1892]
Publisher: Chicago, Fergus Printing Company
Number of Pages: 878

USA > Illinois > Illinois, historical and statistical, comprising the essential facts of its planting and growth as a province, county, territory, and state, Vol. II > Part 29

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The democratic state - convention followed next in order April 11. All efforts to effect a junction with the greenbackers had signally failed and indeed did not seem to be desired by either party. Edward L. Cronkrite, of Lee County, received the nomination for state treasurer on the third ballot, and S. M. Etter, the then incumbent, that for state superintendent of public instruction on the first ballot. The platform was reported by W. C. Goudy of Chicago, and upon the principal questions at issue contained the following planks: in favor of a tariff for revenue only; of the taxation of United-States bonds and treasury notes, the same as other property; "of the immediate and unconditional repeal of the resumption act;" of the re- monetization of silver; of the substitution of treasury notes- greenbacks-in the place of national-bank notes; of the imme- diate repeal of the bankrupt law; against any further reduction of the principal of the public debt at present; and that it is the exclusive prerogative of the United States to issue all bills to circulate as money. Comparing this political deliverance with that of the same party two years before, a wide divergence will be observed, so great indeed, that the state organ of the

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V Ny RARY

853

STATE CONVENTIONS IN 1878.

In the meantime, the agitation of those political questions, in which it was supposed the public welfare was most involved, continued with unabated interest in congress and among the people.

The democrats and independent reformers were generally agreed in favor of a demand for the repeal of the resumption law but were unable to come together upon other questions. The last-named party were the first to throw down the political gauntlet for the biennial contest of 1878, calling their state convention to meet at Springfield, March 27. About 150 dele- gates reported. Gen. Erastus N. Bates was nominated for state treasurer and Frank H. Hall of Kane County for. superinten- dent of public instruction. The platform contained the usual utterances in favor of the exclusive function of the government to coin and create money and regulate its value; the suppression of all banks of issue; the supply of all needed money by con- gress; of the taxation of government bonds and money; and against the contract system of labor in prisons and reformatory institutions.

854

ILLINOIS-HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL.

party at Springfield, the State Register, then understood to be conducted by ex-Gov. Palmer, came out strongly in denuncia- tion of some of the resolutions. That paper said, "The resolu- tion which looks to the postponement of all further payments on the public debt, rests upon the false theory that the public debt may, without mischief, be perpetuated. Sound policy demands that the public debt be paid as rapidly as possible, without improperly burdening the people." * It farther * stated that if the result of democratic success would be to establish the theory that the United States had the power to issue paper bills to circulate as money, "then the success of the party would not be a success but a calamity."

The republican state-convention met at Springfield, June 26, and although it was an off year, it was the largest ever held in the State. W. A. James, of Lake County, was the temporary and Charles E. Lippincott the permanent president, and Daniel Shepard, secretary. There was an animated contest over both the nominations to be made. For state treasurer, the principal candidates were Gen. John C. Smith, Thomas S. Ridgway, and E. C. Hamburger. The informal ballot disclosed the following result, Ridgway 206, Smith 174, Hamburger 150, and 113 scat- tering. Smith was nominated on the third ballot. James P. Slade, of St. Clair County, was nominated for superintendent of public instruction on the second ballot, his principal competi- tor being W. H. Powell of Kane County.

The platform adopted was short and non-committal on nearly all national questions. The discussions of the day and supposed tendency of the government to reduce the volume of green- backs in circulation, were not without its effect, as the following concession to that sentiment shows: "We are also opposed to any farther contraction of the greenback currency, and are in favor of such currency as can be maintained at par with, and convertible into coin at the will of the holder. We are in favor of such currency being received for impost duties." Speeches were made by Generals Oglesby, Logan, and Hurlbut, and by E. A. Storrs-the address of the latter having been carefully prepared for the occasion, was delivered with telling effect and published in the papers at length.

The election resulted in the success of the republican candi-

855

THIRTY-FIRST ' GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

dates, although that party was in a minority in the State of about 30,000. The following are the figures:

STATE TREASURER SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

Smith, republican, 206,458 Slade, republican, 205,461

Cronkrite, democrat, 170,085 Etter, democrat, 171,336

Bates, greenbacker, 65,689 Hall, greenbacker, 65,487

Jerome A. Gorin, prohibit. 2,228

Kate Hopkins, prohibit. 2,109

The republicans not only elected their state ticket and eleven out of the nineteen members of congress, but succeeded also, for the first time in six years, in securing a majority in both houses of the general assembly, which convened Jan. 8, 1879.

The new senators were, Sylvester Artley, William J. Camp- bell, William T. Johnson, and George E. White, from Cook County; Charles Bent, Whiteside; William P. Callon, Morgan; Milton M. Ford, Henry; Chas. E. Fuller, Boone; Geo. Hunt, and L. D. Whiting, reelected; Maurice Kelley, Adams; An- drew J. Kuykendall, Johnson; Samuel R. Lewis, LaSalle; John R. Marshall, Kendall; Abram Mayfield, Logan; Thomas E. Merritt, Marion; Willam T. Moffett, Macon; Sylvester W. Munn, Will; William H. Neece, Mc Donough; Alfred J. Parkinson, Madison; Erastus N. Rinehart, Effingham; John Thomas, St. Clair; Meredith Walker, Fulton; William C. Wilson, Crawford; Samuel L. Cheney, Saline. John M. Hamilton was elected president pro tempore, and James H. Paddock, secretary.

Among former members returned to the house were the fol- lowing: E. B. Sherman, Austin O. Sexton, Wm. H. Thompson, Moses J. Wentworth, and Solomon P. Hopkins of Cook; F. K. Granger, W. A. James, James Shaw, F. N. Tice, B. H. Trues- dell, J. G. Wright, James Herrington, Conrad Secrest, Lucien B. Crooker, C. H. Frew, S. F. Otman, Charles Fosbender, J. F. Latimer, John J. Reaburn, C. F. Robison, William T. McCreery, Thomas F. Mitchell, T. P. Rogers, R. L. Mckinlay, Orlando B. Ficklin, Henry A. Neal, Jacob Wheeler, Asa C. Matthews, Isaac L. Morrison, J. N. English, and Andrew J. Reavell. The follow- ing, among others, appeared for the first time: David W. Clark, Benjamin M. Wilson, Patrick T. Barry, Lewis H. Bisbee, Wm. E. Mason, C. Meyer, Horace H. Thomas, Lorin C. Collins, jr., and Geo. G. Struckman from Cook County; Omar H. Wright,

856

ILLINOIS-HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL.

Boone; Thomas Butterworth, Winnebago; James I. Neff, Lee; W. H. Allen, Whiteside; M. H. Peters, Iroquois; Anthony R. Mock and Jas. W. Simonson, Henry; David H. Harts, Lincoln; Henry A. Ewing, McLean; Bradford K. Durfee, Macon; Wm. A. Day, George Scroggs, and James Core, Champaign; John G. Holden, Vermilion; William L. Gross, Sangamon; John F. Snyder, Cass; Joseph N. Carter, Adams; George E. Warren, Jersey; Wm. R. Prickett, John M. Pearson, Madison; Charles Churchill, Edwards; John M. Gregg, Saline; John T. McBride, John R. McFie, Randolph; Joseph Veile, St. Clair; Charles H. Layman, Jackson; Thomas W. Halliday, Alexander.

The contest for the speakership among the republicans, con- nected as it was with the election of a United-States senator to succeed Gov. Oglesby, was one of more than ordinary interest. Isaac L. Morrison of Morgan, an eminent lawyer and leading member of the last house, and a pronounced supporter of Gen. Logan, had the largest following and was supposed to have the inside track. The other candidates were Col. William A. James of Lake, having large business interests in Chicago, and who had served four years with distinction in the late war; Thomas F. Mitchell, a lumber merchant of Bloomington, who had made a creditable record in the last house for efficient ser- vice and as a parliamentarian; and ex-Speaker James Shaw. The strength of the candidates in the caucus was shown to be as follows: for Morrison, the highest vote, 28, James 26, Mit- chell 17, Shaw 9. Morrison was unable to combine the Logan strength upon himself, it appearing afterward, indeed, that James, who was supposed to be for Oglesby or Farwell, was a supporter of Logan. The colonel was selected on the fifth ballot. The nominee of the democrats was James Herrington, the vote in the house standing 81 for James, 59 for Herrington, and 9 for Calvin H. Frew, independent reformer. Col. James made a fine appearance in the speaker's chair and was a fairly good presiding officer .* The secretaryship fell to W. B. Taylor. The governor's message was devoted exclusively to state

* He was born in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1837, and received a common- school education. He served four years as a captain and major in the late war, and was brevetted colonel at its close. He resides at Highland Park, and does business in Chicago as a dealer in machinery.

857

LOGAN AGAIN ELECTED U .- S. SENATOR.

affairs. He recommended an amendment to the revenue system and the passage of a law reducing the maximum rate of interest to eight per cent per annum.

The election of a United-States senator to succeed Governor Oglesby was the prominent subject of discussion until the event was disposed of. Gov. Oglesby was again a candidate as was also Gen. Logan. Their respective friends were active and earnest in their support, but the contest was conducted generally in a friendly spirit. Gov. Oglesby's service in the senate had not added to his fame, nor gained him any friends. He had not been conspicuous for the introduction or advocacy of any measure bearing upon any national issue during his term of six years. It was insisted, indeed, that he had not exercised that influence, nor risen to that prominence which a senator from the great State of Illinois should command. Whether his nega- tive position was not the wisest amid the multiplicity of meas- ures introduced to "mend the times," and his silence golden, was hardly considered; and it became evident, early in the contest, that the dashing, aggressive Logan would for the time being, at least, retire the gallant ex-governor to private life. Such was the result in the republican caucus; and although there was considerable reluctance in some quarters to voting for him, Logan received 80 votes to 26 for his opponent.

The nominee of the democrats was Gen. John Charles Black; and the election, which was held January 21, resulted as follows; in the senate, for Logan 26, Black 24, McAuliffe I; in the house, Logan 80, Black 60, Alexander Campbell 10, McAuliffe 3, giving Logan eight majority on joint ballot.

The session, of the thirty-first general assembly, was not only a long one, but was characterized by its keen debates, its per- sonal wrangles, and at times, tempestuous proceedings. It con- tained many talented, earnest, and trustworthy members; and had also its element of schemers, bargainers, and obstruction- ists. Of the 1400 bills introduced into both houses, only 207 became laws, 51 of which were appropriation bills. Over 50 bills were introduced on the subject of insurance, only one of which, of general interest, became a law.

Among the most important of the laws enacted were the following: for the protection of bank depositors, providing that

858

ILLINOIS-HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL.

if any bank shall receive deposits while is is insolvent, it shall be deemed guilty of embezzlement; a comprehensive law on the subject of farm drainage; revising the interest law, substi- tuting eight for ten per cent as the rate per annum; a new and comprehensive law on the subject of the militia; creating a bureau of labor statistics; to establish houses of correction; regulating the manner of applying for pardons; regulating appeals to the appellate court in criminal cases; revising the law relating to roads and bridges; making important amend- ments to the revenue law; abolishing the board of state-house commissioners; for the regulation of pawnbrokers. A joint- resolution was also adopted, submitting to the voters an amend- ment to the constitution, providing for the extension of the term of the county treasurer, sheriff, and coroner to four years, and making the two former ineligible to reelection, which was subsequently ratified by the people at the polls.

A question of considerable practical importance at this session grew out of the proceedings of the house upon the report of a committee, April 3, appointed to investigate charges of corruption, against certain members for receiving bribes to abandon alleged schemes of legislation, made by the Chicago Tribune. A correspondent of that paper, with whom the charges originated, having been summoned to appear before the committee as a witness, refused to answer specific questions and especially to give the names of members from whom he had received the information which was the foundation of the charges. The correspondent was then summoned to appear before the bar of the house, when still refusing to testify, a resolution was adopted, by a vote of 96 to 35, requiring the door-keeper to commit the correspondent to the county-jail of Sangamon County, "there to remain until he shall signify his willingness to answer such questions as may be put to him by direction of the house."

The correspondent, having been committed to jail, was brought before Circuit-Judge Chas. S. Zane, by writ of habeas corpus, and the legality of his detention fully discussed, the attorney-gen- eral appearing for the house, and Gen. John M. Palmer for the prisoner. After a lengthy hearing, the motion to discharge the prisoner was overruled and he was remanded to the custody of

859

THE SCROGGS EPISODE.

the jailor. On April 16, the investigating committee having reported that the charge of corruption had been based upon mere rumor, and, that after examining many witnesses, it believed that said rumors were not true; on motion of Lewis H. Bisbee, the committee was discharged from further service and the correspondent was ordered to be "released from further punishment."

The effect of these proceedings has been to make sometimes reckless correspondents more careful in their statements and to rely more upon facts than upon unfounded rumors-a course which so far from lessening their importance, increases their effectiveness and admitted power.

The legislature adjourned May 31 .*

* One of those amusing episodes occurred at this session which have sometimes broken in upon the regular proceedings of the house as unexpected as they were found to be agreeable. George Scroggs, a popular representative from Champaign, who was also a bright member of the press, had received the appointment of consul to the free German city of Hamburg. His many friends determined to celebrate the event by presenting him, while the house was in session, with what was consid- ered the appropriate gift of a pair of wooden shoes. Lucien B. Crooker, the witty member from La Salle and one of the leaders of the republican side, was selected to make the presentation speech. The entire performance was a surprise to Scroggs, and his reply to the speech in broken German was not the least amusing part of the proceeding.

Crooker, jolly and rotund, made the following impromptu speech :

" Mr. Speaker : I rise to a question of high and I might add holy privilege, and as the occasion is a momentous one, I will beg the right of occupying the speaker's platform, so I may shine from borrowed light, and, if possible, equal the occasion. We are sometimes rent asunder by politics and divided upon questions of policy, but when it comes to a question of admiration, we are united; and, as one of our mem- bers is about to leave our shores and depart to foreign climes, we propose to give him an appropriate send-off. Nations have always honored their dead but not always their living. Hence

'Seven cities claimed illustrious Homer, dead,

Through which a living Homer begged his bread.'

It is left for American people to adequately honor her great men while living.

" We made Mr. Grant a major- general, and we made General Grant president. We gave him houses, lands, horses, and bull-pups, [laughter]; and now the great State of Illinois, through the thirty-first general assembly, and it through me, its most humble and obese member, proposes to follow this illustrious example and appropri- ately deck this member who is so soon to be taken from us and transplanted to foreign shores as a representative of American greatness. Among the early and verdant products of Illinois soil, none were more thriving or verdant than our hero, [laughter]. Some men are born to greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them. In this case, our favorite son inherited greatness from a long- indigent, but prolific line

86c

ILLINOIS-HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL.

The political events of 1880 are among the most memorable in this State. The claim of the democrats that they had been unjustly deprived of the fruits of their victory in 1876 brought them some supporters outside of their organization and tended to strengthen their party-lines. With the electoral votes of the eleven reconstructed states now assured them, together with

of ancestors, and also inherited the melodious surname of Scroggs. When he arrived at manhood, he also had greatness thrust upon him and was, so to speak, stabbed or prodded with it, and, in commemoration of this metaphorical assassination, we propose to pay tribute to his large understanding, [laughter]. His birth was ushered in by peals of thunder and flashes of lightning, and, as he laid puling in his mother's arms, frowns of ambition wrinkled his two eyebrows, and as he doffed his swaddling- cloths and put on his first pair of pants, and went forth, common urchins were made to respect his greatness.

" His mud-pies were always the largest, and he insisted on having all the mud. If any common youth interfered, he at once got a dab of mud over his right eye, and all the satisfaction he got was to let it dry on and take it home to his mother, [laughter]. Years passed by, limb and brain expanded, until the people wondered much-

'And still the wonder grew That one small head should carry all he knew.'

" Most men are obliged to address the people orally or to embalm their thoughts in Arnold's writing-fluid, but Scroggs possessed dual elements of greatness. His tongue was silver-tipped and his pen diamond-pointed. He could write like a poet and talk like a statesman, or he could talk like a poet and write like a statesman, and sometimes both, [more laughter]. He taught Illinois true provincial journalism. He mounted the stump and dropped solid chunks of political wisdom. He made Frew fume furiously. He made Harlow halloo horribly, and finally, in recognition of his greatness, the people arose majestically and elected him a member of the thirty-first general assembly, [more laughter]. Here ordinary ambition would have been rewarded; but we were not to remain long in possession of this intellectual bonanza. The mighty executive has reached out from Washington and metaphori- cally held our Scroggs up before an admiring United-States senate, and they, with one accord, shouted: "That's the fellow we are after! That's the chap to represent us abroad ! That's the galoot to teach those degenerate Dutchmen true respect for American greatness! [renewed guffaws, ] and with one accord they confirmed him consul to Hamburg, while the whole legislature of Illinois stood up and shouted back, 'bully!' [tremendous laughter.] Now, friend Scroggs, as you are about to leave our shores and be rocked in the cradle of the deep, we propose to make you an appropriate and useful present as a testimony of our esteem, [here the speaker held up a ponderous pair of wooden shoes, amidst shouts of laughter.] These are not, as some inspired idiot would assume, gun-boats, [laughter.] They are not, as some wayward lunatic would assert, coal-shoots, [laughter.] They are plain wooden shoes. Take them, Scroggs, and wear them, but not on ordinary occasions. Poor, plain leather must do for every day, but, when kings put on their crowns, then put on these fragile pedal appendages and stamp your feet till the earth shakes, and till the crowns tumble from off effete kings, and until thrones are shattered to their very

86I

CROOKER'S SPEECH AND SCROGGS' REPLY.

their ascendency in both houses of congress, their chances of success had been wonderfully improved. While the republicans could appeal to the successful accomplishment of their financial measures with the fair expectation of gaining back those mem- bers of the party who had gone over to greenbackism, it was nevertheless incumbent upon them to nominate their strong-

foundations. If any unregenerated Dutchman dares to wink at the Stars and Stripes, place one of these canoes in close proximity to his posterior and elevate him, and when he comes to, a week or so after, if he opens his mouth make it painful for him again, and teach them to respect American greatness, [irrepressible laughter]; and, when you shall have done your duty, as we know you will; when you can eat limburger like a true Hamburger; when you shall be revivified, enlarged, and revised by the use of foaming lager, return to us full-breasted and the people will receive you with open arms. We, the citizens of Illinois, will meet you upon the hostile borders of Indiana, [laughter]. We will escort you to your humble home. We will sound the loud hew-gag. We will whack the dumb buzzy and beat the tom-tom. And when life's fitful dream shall be o'er, when the last fleeting breath shall have passed your pallid lips, and when you shall become a sorrel-topped angel, we will mournfully and sorrowfully open the bosom of our loved prairies, and lay you away to judgment. With suitable mechanical appliances, we will erect these wooden shoes -one at your head and one at your feet-and write upon them an epitaph as com- plete as the tongue of poets can utter, so that, when posterity goes hurrying by, they will pause and say, 'There were giants in those days, '" [prolonged applause and laughter.]

Scroggs was loudly called for, and made the following speech which was inter- rupted by repeated applause and cheers :

" Meine Freunde und mein kleiner dicker Freund von LaSalle :- Ich kann nicht sagen shoo fly, aber ich kann sagen ich bin sehr gluecklick, und bin Ihnen sehr verbunden fuer dieses schæne Geschenk, diese Holzschuhe, [laughter and applause.] Es sind solche, wie ich vermuthe, die Engel tragen wenn sie die goldene Leiter hinaufsteigen, [laughter]. Ich werde diese Schuhe am Sonntag tragen, wenn ich in der Stadt Hamburg spazieren gehe. Sie werden mir niemals wehe thun, und desshalb werde ich dem Gebrn stets dankbar sein, [applause]. Leben Sie wohl, meine Freude, und ich wuensche Ihnen Erfolg fuer 1880, und stimme fuer U. S. Grant fuer Præsi- dent, und meinen Kleinen Dicken Freund von Mendota, fuer Governeur von Illinois. Adieu leben Sie wohl."

[Translation : "My friends and my little fat friend from LaSalle :- I can not say shoo fly but I can say that I am very happy, and very much pleased with this present -- these wooden shoes, [laughter and applause]. They are such, as I suspect, the angels carried when they climbed the golden ladder, [laughter]. I will wear them on Sundays when I promenade in the streets of Hamburg. I shall always feel thankful to the donors-for they will never hurt my feet, [applause]. May you live well, my friends, and I wish you success for 1880, and vote for U. S. Grant for president and my little fat friend from Mendota for governor of Illinois. Again may you long live, farewell. "]

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Illinois, historical and statistical, comprising the essential facts of its planting and growth as a province, county, territory, and state, Vol. II, Part 29

Author: Moses, John, 1825-1898 Publication date: 1889-1892. [c1887-1892] Publisher: Chicago, Fergus Printing Company Number of Pages: 878

Author: Moses, John, 1825-1898
Publication date: 1889-1892. [c1887-1892]
Publisher: Chicago, Fergus Printing Company
Number of Pages: 878